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4“Little Mo” Internationals Bring Together Top Junior Competition From Around the World
6“Little Mo” Regionals Hit The Cary Leeds Center
8Metro Corporate League Recap
16NYTM’s Sit Down With Sharon Simmonds, USTA Eastern’s Metro Region Council Director
14Nidunjianzan Wins One-On-One Doubles New Jersey Shootout
15The Garden Cup Returns to MSG This December
21Top Tennis Stars Arrive in NJ For Inaugural A Racquet At The Rock
28Junior Player Spotlight: Mariia Vainshtein, Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning By Brian Coleman
342025 Coaches Roundtable
46Five Honored at Annual Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame Ceremony
50Gift Ideas This Holiday Season
54A Look At The Mental Side of Tennis
Features
16From Player To Coach By Guillermo Castaneda
17Evert Tennis Academy: A Florida Tennis Haven
18Long Island’s Largest Adult Tennis Tournament Hosts Sold-Out Event
22USTA Eastern Metro Region Update
25The Best Tennis Vacation of Your Life: Tennis Fantasies With John Newcombe and the Legends
26Losing Stinks: How To Deal With A Tough Loss By Rob Polishook
30Across Metro New York
32Roosevelt Island Racquet Club’s Anne Hobbs Tournament
43Taste of Tennis Celebrates 25th Anniversary Event at Aqua New York
44What To Look For In A Coach By Ankit Chopra
45Honesty, Discipline and Love For The Game By Pavlo Bednarzh
48The Physics of Power By Chris Lewit
56USTA Eastern’s College Showcase Day Returns
58NYTM’s Literary Corner, Game, Set
5911th
“Little
Mo” Internationals Bring Together Top Junior Competition From Around The World
As the professionals were competing in Queens at the U.S. Open, some of the best young tennis players in the world arrived at the West Orange Tennis Club in New Jersey to compete in the “Little Mo” Internationals.
The event in West Orange was the second leg of the “Little Mo” Slam, a series of three International events where if a player wins their yellow ball division in all three International events, they will earn the famed “Little Mo” trophy, the six-feet tall prize that is the tallest junior trophy in junior tennis.
While the tournaments feature top competition on the courts, they are played in the spirit of sportsmanship, with players earning “Mo Coins” for their good behavior on and off the court, which they can cash in for merchandise and other prizes.
"We were very pleased with the exceptional sportsmanship displayed by the players at both the Internationals and Regionals," said Carol Weyman, MCB Executive Vice President and the Founder of the 'Road to the Little Mo Internationals'.
"Sportsmanship is one of our top priorities and a cornerstone of our Code of Conduct. To recognize this, we present a Sportsmanship Award to one girl and one boy at each event. 'Little Mo' was admired not only for her remarkable talent on the court, but also for her kindness, respect and exemplary sportsmanship-values we continue to honor through this award."
Below are the winners from the “Little Mo” Internationals in New Jersey. The final leg of the Slam will be held from December 5-10 in Palm Beach, Florida.
• Boys 8s Singles: Preston Carean (Parkland, Florida)
• Boys 8s Singles Green: Chase Chang (Manhasset, New York)
• Boys 12s Singles: Shuo Li (Oyster Bay, New York)
• Girls 12s Singles: Angela Wang (Potomac, Maryland)
• Boys 12s Doubles: Patrick Okla (Staten Island, New York) & Dhruva Chari (New
Providence, New Jersey)
• Girls 12s Doubles: Angela Wang (Potomac, Maryland) & Maddie Mack (New Rochelle, New York)
• Mixed Doubles 12s: Maddie Mack (New Rochelle, New York) & Mason Feher (Chatham, New Jersey)
“Little Mo” Regionals Hit The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx
Afterthe “Little Mo” Internationals graced the courts in New Jersey, top juniors arrived at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx to compete in the “Little Mo” Regionals.
“The Northeast is an ideal setting for our ‘Little Mo’ Internationals and North Regionals. Since the events take place during the U.S. Open, players can enjoy competing in their matches during the day and watching the pros in action at night,” Weyman added. “Beyond the tennis, the region offers countless sights and attractions, giving players and families the chance to create unforgettable memories and turn the tournament into a special vacation experience.”
Players battled across 10 different divisions in the Bronx. Below are the winners from each division:
• Boys 8s Singles: Judd Perkins (New York, New York)
• Boys 12s Singles: Maxim Kerbikov (Satellite Beach, Florida)
• Girls 8s Singles: Maximilliana Bhalla (New York, New York)
• Girls 8s Singles Green: Abigail Bartlett (Berkeley Heights, New Jersey)
• Boys 8s Singles Green: Chase Chang (Manhasset, New York)
• Boys 10s Singles: Adrian Choi (Bedford, New York)
• Boys 10s Singles Green: Aarav Mandadi (Princeton, New Jersey)
• Girls 10s Singles Green: Emma Hou (New York, New York)
• Girls 12s Singles: Emma Ziyu Ling (Manhasset, New York)
“We were fortunate to host our events at two outstanding venues: the Internationals at the West Orange
Tennis Club and the North Regionals at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning,” said Weyman. “Both locations reached maximum capacity, bringing together nearly 500 players from across the United States and across the world.”
The “Little Mo” Tournament Series will conclude with the third leg of the Internationals in Florida in December, before turning the page to 2026 and continuing to provide junior tennis players with a one-of-akind tournament experience.
“We’re excited to close out the year with our final event—the ‘Little Mo’ Internationals in Florida. This special tournament brings together the world’s top players ages 8-14 for an unforgettable week of competition and camaraderie,” said Weyman. “For the first time, we’ll be using an Acceptance List rather than a first-come, first-served format. Selection will be based on each player’s Verified UTR Rating, ensuring the strongest field of juniors from across the globe. As we look ahead to 2026, our mission remains clear: to inspire more young athletes to pick up a racquet, experience the joy of tennis at ‘Little Mo’, and discover why it is truly the ‘sport of a lifetime.’”
Bank of America, Bloomberg Capture Summer 2025 Corporate League Titles
TheSummer 2025 season in the Metro Corporate League came to a close as Roosevelt Island Racquet Club hosted the end-ofseason party and finals, bringing an end to another successful year of the league.
The end-of-season parties featured high-level competition on the courts while catered food and an open bar kept both players and spectators happy and entertained. The parties are open to all players in the Corporate League which makes it
the ideal way to wrap up the season.
Below are the winners of the two divisions.
• Intermediate Division: Bank of America
• Advanced Intermediate Division: Bloomberg
“We’re a close-knit team that has played together for several seasons, so our chemistry is strong. Having felt the agony of defeat in previous years,
we used that experience as motivation. It gave us the resilience and mental toughness to finally bring it home this summer,” said Bloomberg captain Brian Midei. “The Corporate League strikes a great balance between competitive, high-quality tennis and friendly camaraderie. We all love the sport, but we also take pride in delivering business value to our clients. From the baseline to the bottom line, that shared professional mindset creates mutual respect across the league.”
Summer 2025 Advanced Intermediate Champions: Bloomberg, captained by Brian Midei
Summer 2025 Intermediate Champions: Bank of America
The Next Level
How a new serve, and mindset, will elevate Coco Gauff’s game even higher
By Brian Coleman
Being a teenage phenom comes with an incredible burden. In the early stages of your career, people are just amazed that you are able to succeed at the highest levels and compete against older, more experienced players.
When you do that, then come the expectations to not just compete, but win, and win often.
And then when you win, the inevitable next question is, “what’s next”?
That’s the space that Coco Gauff finds herself in. It seems like an eternity ago that she broke onto the scene as a teenager, but she is still only 21-years-old, and already has two major titles on her resume. She has her sights set on more though, and is doing everything in her power to continue to raise her level, and elevate her game into a different stratosphere. She won the French Open in the spring, but between that and the continued on page 10
the next level
continued from page 9
U.S. Open, the American struggled.
Much was made of her struggles on serve, which led to a drastic coaching change just before the start of the U.S. Open, where she brought in biomechanic specialist Gavin McMillan. She would eventually fall to Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16, but felt that she was making positive strides.
“I just knew I needed to make an improvement, and I was trying things with it,” Gauff said after losing in New York. “I feel like this is actually the right step forward.”
So Gauff departed New York feeling ok despite the loss and ready to continue to work with McMillan, to fine tune the parts of her game that need to improve if she is going to be at the top of her game.
She is clearly one of the best players in the world and is well-
established within the top five. And while she has proven she can beat anyone, it’s her lack of a consistent serve that leaves her vulnerable.
McMillan was candid about what his pupil needs to improve on.
“The goal for her, first and foremost, is to establish an effective kick serve,” he said. “So once she's doing that and is confident in it, we can start establishing hitting more effective first serves that not only have velocity, but spin. It's not just one thing to hit it hard. If you hit it hard and it bounces flat, it's into everybody's wheelhouse. What you really want to be doing is hitting it hard with spin that jumps up out of their strike zone.
Because if you're not doing that, then it's like baseball. Straight fastballs don't work; you have to have movement on it. So, those are the goals immediately.”
That work proved immediate dividends this fall. Following her round of 16 loss at the U.S. Open, Gauff won nine of her next 10 matches, which included a title at the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan, China. She served incredibly effectively in Wuhan, and did not drop a set en route to the championship.
“Winning every match in straight sets, I don’t know if I’ve done that before on a title run,” said Gauff. “I just felt like I was really proud of what I accomplished this week, regardless of the result today.”
It’s precisely that mindset, of process over results, that will be imperative in moving Gauff to become a complete player with no weaknesses if she wants to achieve the goals she has for herself.
“When I was growing up, I definitely wanted to be the best tennis player in the world,” she said. “That was my goal. And I mean, it still is. I still want to be the best player. I want to reach No.1 one day, and win more Slams. And I’m definitely not close to being satisfied.”
Gauff understands the pressures on her shoulders, but while the public at large looks for her to do even greater things, there is perhaps no one who has higher expectations for her than Gauff herself.
And the best way for her to achieve those aforementioned goals is to not define her value by the results on the tennis court, and instead find happiness away from the court, which allows you to thrive on it.
“Accomplishing your goals, for sure, that’s the meaning of success, I guess in a literal sense,”
“When I was growing up, I definitely wanted to be the best tennis player in the world”
she explains. “On a life scale sense, I definitely think being happy is the biggest reward you can have.”
Helping to achieve that latter form of success is her boyfriend Jalen Sera, and the two have spent
a lot of time together in between Gauff’s triumph in China and before she looks to defend her WTA Finals title in Saudi Arabia.
“This is my first real relationship,” Gauff confessed. “To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective.”
For Gauff, finding that happiness within herself, and not letting the outside world’s thoughts affect her either on or off the court, may be the primary reason she shakes off any pressures, and exceeds any expectations.
“I definitely feel like, for the first four years of my career, I couldn't believe that I was actually on tour and living the dream,” Gauff reflected recently. “It feels [now] like where I am now is where I'm supposed to be. I feel like this is the life that I wanted for myself and that I work for.”
NYTM’s Sit Down With Sharon Simmonds, USTA Eastern’s Metro Region Council Director
Aswe enter the latter stages of 2025 and look ahead to 2026, we wanted to showcase how the sport of tennis is doing in the Metro Region of USTA Eastern. The sport continues to grow and despite the rise of other racquet and paddle sports, tennis remains at the top of the list.
A year ago, Sharon Simmonds was sworn in as the Council Director for the Metro Region, a position she will serve for 2025 and 2026. Simmonds was previously named the Metro Region Volunteer of the Year by USTA Eastern in 2020, and has dedicated much of her life to tennis, and specifically tennis in her community.
New York Tennis Magazine sat down with Simmonds to discuss her background, what led to her accepting the Director position, her goals for the Region moving forward, and more.
NYTM: When did you first begin playing tennis?
Simmonds: I picked up a racquet for the first time at Immaculate Conception
High School in Kingston, Jamaica W.I.
The Jamaica Lawn Tennis Association came to my school to do a workshop, and I fell in love with the game.
NYTM: What do you love about the sport?
Simmonds: I love that tennis is my rewarding lifelong hobby. It is a great way for me to meet new people and build relationships. I join leagues, I participate in clinics, and I play at clubs. This enables opportunities for me to socialize and play tennis with other people.
NYTM: What was your reaction when you were nominated to be the Director of the Metro Region Council?
Simmonds: The initial reaction was one of excitement, and then the reality of what the position entailed hit me… A volunteer leader responsible for tennis in the five boroughs of New York City. This was an overwhelming thought, however I rolled up my sleeves and jumped right into working with the USTA Eastern Board of
Directors to promote and develop the sport of tennis in the Metro area and contribute to the broader mission of growing the game.
NYTM: What were some of your initial goals when you began your term?
Simmonds: To create a different level of exposure to the game of tennis by bringing tennis to those who would not usually have the opportunity to experience and participate in the game. I also want to create a junior council to tap into the younger tennis generation.
NYTM: How have you been able to put those into action so far?
Simmonds: With the help of USTA Eastern staff and a very involved group of volunteers, I was able to offer grass roots park programs, I was able to get different groups of kids and adults including a group of special needs adults to play tennis, participate in USTA workshops, and visit the US Open.
NYTM: Could you have imagined back then how impactful tennis has been on your life?
Simmonds: The sport has had a transformative effect on me. Tennis helped me develop discipline, resilience, and focus. These qualities extend far beyond the court and introduced me to lifelong friendships. Tennis became a way for me to stay healthy and active over the years
NYTM: Why have you committed so much of your life to tennis and the community that makes it up?
Simmonds: My commitment to tennis is not only for the social benefits but also for the physical and mental benefits. From the fullbody workout on cour t that improves my cardiovascular health, coordination, flexibility, and overall fitness to the sharpening of my cognitive skills through game play problem-solving and my overall stress relief.
Being a part of the tennis community goes beyond simply playing the sport, it helps break down social barriers and fosters a more welcoming environment. The community creates opportunities for
social interaction and provides a support system that keeps players motivated and engaged. The tennis community, especially those based in the public parks, promotes inclusivity by making the sport more accessible to people from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
NYTM: What do you enjoy most
Adult Camps at the USTA National Campus
OCTOBER 2025 - MAY 2026
about your role as Metro Region Director?
Simmonds: Being able to create oppor tunities for others to play tennis. I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and all tennis levels who share the love for tennis and a passionate camaraderie for the game.
NYTM: How often do you get to play tennis? Do you still compete on adult league teams?
Simmonds: I play tennis three times per week, sometimes more depending on my schedule. Yes, it is my unadulterated enjoyment of tennis that keeps me competing on adult league teams in the Metro area and Long Island.
NYTM: What are some initiatives you and your team are excited about as we close out 2025 and begin 2026?
Simmonds: Active volunteerism to suppor t the work of 35 X 35 (to get 35 million people playing tennis by 2035) is the major initiative as we close out 2025 and begin 2026. Also, getting people who do not have tennis experience to help and get involved in the growth of the game.
Nidunjianzan Wins One-On-One Doubles New Jersey Shootout
TopNidunjianzan of Princeton University captured the title at the One-On-One Doubles
New Jersey Shootout at the West Orange Tennis Club, defeating Roy Smith, a former No.1 singles player at Baylor University in the finals.
The draw was made up of current and former collegiate tennis stars as well as professional tour players. The competitors were broken up into four groups, and played a round-robin format of fast-four sets against the other three in their group. The top two winners (total games) in each group advanced to the quarterfinals.
“I thought the high quality of players, with ATP, college and national junior tournament pedigree, made for a super exciting event of pure serveand-volley tennis!,” said Coach Ed Krass, the Tournament Director & Founder of One-On-One Doubles Tournaments. “It was great to see the club's members, juniors, area college coaches and area club professionals come out to support and watch this event. The rockin music sure helped add some electricity to the event. Mike Smookler and his staff [at the West
Orange Tennis Club] did an amazing job preparing their facility for our event.”
Below are the results of the quarterfinal, semifinal and championship rounds:
Quarterfinals
• Top Nidunjianzan defeated Lewis Pena 4-2
• Milan Markovits defeated Keith Kessler 4-2
• Martin Barbera defeated Gary Kuchnirovich 4-2
• Roy Smith defeated Rodrigo Echavarria 4-2
Semifinals
• Nidunjianzan defeated Markovits 4-1
• Smith defeated Barbera 4-1 Finals
• Nidunjianzan defeated Smith 6-4
“It was a thrill to play One-On-One Doubles!,” said tournament winner Nidunjianzan. “It’s such an innovative format of tennis. You really have to focus on the specifics of Serving, returning and volleying under pressure.”
Smookler, Club Manager & Tennis Director at West Orange Tennis Club, added:
“West Orange Tennis Club was proud to be the host site of the One-On-One Doubles prize money tournament. Ed Krass does an amazing job running these events. His energy is infectious with all the players and fans. The quality of the tennis was impressive and the action was captivating. We look forward to hosting our second annual One-On-One Doubles Tournament next year. Stay tuned!”
For more information on One-On-One Doubles Tournaments & Events, visit www.oneononedoubles.com or email oneononedoubles@yahoo.com.
Top Nidunjianzan (right) defeated Roy Smith (left) to win the New Jersey One-On-One Doubles Championships
Top Nidunjianzan with One-On-One Doubles Founder and Tournament Director Ed Krass
The Garden Cup Returns to MSG This December
Aftera successful return to Madison Square Garden in 2024, The Garden Cup brings star-studded professional tennis back to New York City on December 8.
“Madison Square Garden holds a special place in tennis history. The Garden has hosted both the men’s and women’s year end championships and legends such as Suzanne Lenglen, Bill Tilden, Don Budge and Jack Kramer all played there,” said Adam Their, the former Vice President at MSG Sports who now works as a sports event promoter. “In more recent times since Roger Federer and Pete Sampras sold out the arena in 2008, the Garden has been synonymous with iconic tennis moments. For players, it’s a bucket-list venue with an electric atmosphere that only ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’ can offer.
For fans, the intimacy of the setup means there’s no bad seat – everyone is close to the action, and the chance to spot celebrities in the crowd adds to the allure. It’s truly an unmatched experience for both players and fans.”
Last year, Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro lit up the Garden with their electric performances, and the on-court excitement will be no different this year.
This December, American Tommy Paul will square off
against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, while the two-time reigning U.S Open Champion Aryna Sabalenka battles former U.S. Open champ Naomi Osaka. There will be two singles matches, followed by a Mixed Doubles match featuring all four.
“The Garden Cup exceeded all expectations with a sellout crowd creating an unforgettable atmosphere,” Thier said. “For two days, the players lit up New York City with their smiles—whether at press events, clinics, sponsor parties or putting on an incredible show on the court.”
The players themselves last year were thrilled with the event, and understood the magnitude of playing tennis inside one of the world’s greatest venues.
“I can’t believe we’re here at The Garden playing tennis,” Pegula said. “It’s so cool.”
Navarro added:
“[It’s] just so special to be here playing in this arena. It’s insane. We came to the Knicks game last night and now they have a tennis court.”
Those same vibes will be on display this year, as Paul, Kyrgios, Sabalenka and Osaka will entertain the capacity crowd with their tennis, and their showmanship.
The Garden Cup arrives on Monday, December 8, and tickets are now available on Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats.
Transitioningfrom being a player to becoming a coach has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. For years, my focus revolved around competition— winning national titles in Mexico, representing my country in Junior Davis Cup, and traveling through the ITF circuit. My mindset was driven by results, rankings, and personal goals. Coaching, however, taught me to see the game—and people—through a completely different lens.
As a player, your world often revolves around you: your training, your performance, your success. But when you become a coach, that changes entirely. Suddenly, you are not the one being watched, guided, or celebrated. The attention shifts to your players—and learning to accept that transition with humility is crucial. Not everyone is looking for you anymore, and that’s exactly how it should be. Coaching demands that you leave your ego aside and focus completely on helping others succeed. That shift— from being the priority to serving others—was challenging at first, but it became one of the most rewarding lessons I’ve learned.
Patience becomes your greatest ally. Not every player will progress at the pace you expect, and not every session will go as planned. The key is to genuinely care about their journey, not your own reflection through it. When you stop measuring success by your influence and start measuring it by their growth, that’s when you truly become a
From Player to Coach
By Guillermo Castaneda
coach. Being selfless, consistent, and emotionally invested in your players’ development allows you to build trust and impact that lasts far beyond the court.
Working at a high-performance academy like CourtSense has been invaluable in this process. Being surrounded by experienced coaches who share decades of combined knowledge has accelerated my growth immensely. Every day on court feels like an education—learning from their methodology, their attention to detail, and how they manage both the physical and emotional sides of a player’s development. I’ve learned that great coaching is as much about observation and listening as it is about teaching.
One of the greatest privileges in my coaching journey has been the opportunity to work with players of all ages and levels. From young beginners to competitive juniors, each stage has taught me something new about communication, patience, and adaptability. Those early experiences helped me refine my eye for fundamentals and learn how to connect with athletes on a personal level. They also taught me that every player deserves the same level of care and respect, regardless of their ranking or
potential.
My experience playing college tennis in the U.S. was also a turning point. Competing for my university gave me a new perspective on teamwork, leadership, and accountability—values that now guide my approach as a coach. College tennis teaches players to balance academics, training, and personal growth simultaneously. That balance prepared me to guide young athletes today, many of whom face the same challenges.
Looking back, I see how different the junior tennis environment is now compared to when I was competing. The new generation has more technology, more information, and sometimes, more pressure. I believe our role as coaches is to help players filter that noise—to teach them resilience, perspective, and gratitude for the process.
Ultimately, the transition from player to coach is about shifting from self-focus to service. It’s about understanding that your success now depends on others’ success. It’s about patience, humility, and the satisfaction of helping someone else reach their potential. It’s about giving back to the sport that shaped your life and guiding the next generation to discover their own path within it.
Guillermo Castaneda is a coach at CourtSense Tennis Training Center. He was the Mexican National Champion in the 10's, 12's and 14's age categories before going on to represent Mexico in the Junior Davis Cup, where he played against players such as Felix AugerAliassime and Sebastian Korda. He continued his career in the United States, where he trained at GTA in Clearwater, FL, and played Division I tennis at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi and Division II at Rollins College, and joined the CourtSense team in 2023.
Evert Tennis Academy: A Florida Tennis Haven
Nearly30 years ago, Chrissie, John and their father Jimmy established the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida. By combining the experience of a champion with world-class coaching, cutting-edge training methods and premier facilities the Evert Tennis Academy is able to offer unrivaled programs for players of all ages and abilities.
The Evert Tennis Academy (ETA) is located in the Mission Bay area of Boca Raton, Fla. With 23 courts, pristine grounds, state-of-the-artequipment, a caring staff and family atmosphere combine to make ETA a beautiful and unique training environment.
As the proud home to more than 20 Grand Slam participants and over 150 Division I college athletes, the Evert Tennis Academy has a proven record of success in developing champions at the highest levels. Chris Evert, tennis legend and winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, and John Evert, world-renowned developmental
coach and academy director, believe in designing personalized programs that consist of a strategic balance between technical, tactical, mental and physical training. They pride themselves on handpicking some of the finest developmental coaches working in the sport who are dedicated to the instruction, development and success of each athlete
The Academy Program at Evert systematically addresses every aspect of a player’s game through a daily regimen of technical, tactical, mental and physical training. The Morning Training Session is composed of drilling, and strength and conditioning. The program is continued in the afternoon with a focus towards competition and tactics.
The Developmental Program at Evert Tennis Academy is designed to take players to the next level by providing a very exclusive, individualized program and the difference between it and the
Academy Program lies within the daily 1:1 lesson. Boarding students age 17 and younger enrolled in the Full-Time, Weekly or Camp programs, stay in our on-campus three-story dormitory. Each dorm room houses up to two students during the school year and up to four students during Camp and Summer Sessions with boys and girls being housed in separate buildings.
Evert Tennis Academy conveniently provides one-on-one airport transportation for its boarding students, for a fee (subject to change), to all three area international airports: (PBI) West Palm Beach (35 minutes), (FLL) Fort Lauderdale (35 minutes), (MIA) Miami International (55 minutes). All transportation coordination is handled directly through the Academy, making it stress-free and easy for you.
Please contact Evert Tennis Academy at (561) 488- 2001 for more information or e-mail mateo.garces@EvertAcademy.com
Players Flock To The Hamptons For Sold-Out Adult Tennis Tournament
Playersfrom all over the Metro area traveled to the Hamptons to close out the summer in style, as Long Island Tennis Magazine’s September Tennis Challenge hit the outdoor courts of SPORTIME Quogue. The event which was packed with over 125 players, combined top competition and a social, fun and festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
The Presenting Sponsor of the entire Long Island Tennis Magazine Event Series is the highly respected Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group, and at their table players started the day by receiving many giveaways at check-in
including tote bags, sun tan lotion, hats and more. As players gathered on the pool deck for pre-tournament instructions you could feel the excitement for another big LI Tennis Magazine Challenge. The event was completely sold-out and the large gathering of players, plus their friends and family, provided for a great atmosphere both on and off the courts. The event features fierce competition across 20 Har-Tru courts. Doubles pairings battled it out in round-robin competition that fed into the playoff rounds.
The LITM Challenge tournaments, which have been operating for over a
decade, are well known for its professionalism and organization as well for having great tennis at all levels! Additionally the amenities off the court are a LITM Challenge staple.
“The LITM Challenges have become almost like family reunions of sorts, as many of the players have become friends of mine and it’s a very welcoming atmosphere on and off the courts for everyone,” said Stefanie Hochhauser, who competed in the Women’s Doubles 7.0 –7.5 division. “Everyone gets to play a lot of tennis, the tournament runs on time, and we all get to enjoy food and drinks while we spend time together on and off the
Mixed Doubles 8. 0 – 8.5 division Champions: Roman Del Castillo & Lily Tang
Women’s Doubles 6.0 – 6.5 division champions: Linda Miller & Kathy Fracasso
Men’s Doubles 7.0 – 7.5 division champions: Donald Jackson & Patrick Lombardi
court.”
The tournament was run in a way where everything ran on time, and that we had food and drinks available for players throughout the tournament,” said co-tournament director Michelle Stoerback. ”
On this day, players were treated to an expansive catered lunch spread which included a variety of heroes, side salads, pizza, pasta, brownies/cookies, bananas, and drinks as well at the very popular Happy Hour during the tournament!
In a thrilling championship match in the Mixed Doubles 8. 0 – 8.5 division, Roman Del Castillo & Lily Tang defeated Andrew Villalta & Onalee Batcheller 76(3) to capture the title.
“Our strategy really depended on who we were playing against, and what our opponents were doing,” said Del Castillo. “We tried to do the best we could each match, that was really our strategy.”
Del Castillo is Tang’s coach, and the two put what they worked on during practice to the test in the tournament, which worked.
“This was such a fun tournament,” said Tang. “It was really well-run, and we had a great time.”
Linda Miller was all set to play with one partner, but when her friend couldn’t make it, she turned to another friend Kathy Fracasso to partner with her.
The partnership turned out to be a successful one, as Miller and Fracasso won 6-3 over Alissa Geer & Janeen McFarlane in the championship of the Women’s Doubles 6.0 – 6.5 division. “Thankfully Kathy jumped in to play with me in the final hour, and we played great,” said Muller.
Fracasso added:
“Playing with Linda was the best part of the day. Everyone here was so nice, both on and off the court, there weren’t any bad calls. It was just a fun environment.”
Donald Jackson & Patrick Lombardi used their chemistry together from being colleagues at SPORTIME Kings Park, and
came away victorious in the Men’s Doubles 7.0 – 7.5 division, defeating Sung Kwon & Ronald Martinez 6-0 in the finals.
“Our strategy was to keep the ball deep, and then come up to the net to finish off points, and it worked out,” Jackson said.
The Women’s 7.0 – 7.5 doubles division featured the largest division of competitors, and the pairing of Annie Yueh & Lindsay Klausner-McMahon were able to overcome all of them to win the title.
After winning their flight, the duo advanced to the knockout rounds and
won their quarterfinal and semifinal matches, before toppling Ingrid Eberly & Grace Appel 6-3 in the championship match. “We play at the same club, but this was our first tournament together,” said Klausner-McMahon. “We’ve done drills before, but never as a doubles team. When we decided to sign up together, we practiced a couple of times, and it worked.”
Despite not playing together prior, their familiarity with each other proved to be a valuable asset on their road to victory.
Men’s Doubles 8.0 – 8.5 division champions: Chris Kolesnik & Neil Hyman
know each other’s strengths so we just tried to play to those,” Yueh added.
Chris Kolesnik & Neil Hyman repeated as champions in the Men’s Doubles 8.0 – 8.5 division, successfully defending their June title with another win, this time overcoming the windy conditions. “Once we were able to get back to basics, our game worked,” said Kolesnik.
Hyman added:
“It was a tough day, but we were able to lock in for the championship. We’ve been playing together for a few years now, and always enjoy coming to these tournaments. Everything about them is great.”
Diedre Ettus & Lauren Brenner were the final team accepted into the draw, and they made it count, as they won three playoff rounds in order to win the title in the Women’s 8.0 – 8.5 division. “My favorite part was getting to play with Lauren,” Ettus said. “I used to play here [at Quogue] years ago, but I haven’t played as much because of some surgeries I have had, so it was nice to be able to be back, and add to my memories here.”
On their strategy, Brenner said: “I tried to be aggressive at the net, and I knew Diedre had my back at
the baseline.”
A year ago, Junji Nakamura and his son, Koichi, came up just short in the championship match of the Men’s Doubles 9.0 – 9.5 division, but this time around, the two came away victorious. “We work pretty well as a team, and have good chemistry on the court,” said Koichi.
“He’s a year older, and that makes a big difference,” Junji said of his son. “Overall, it was a great tournament. Great people, it’s a fun and friendly atmosphere, so we’re always happy to come back, and
we’ll be back to defend our title.”
The September Tennis Challenge was the ideal way to close out the summer, and players were able to enjoy themselves on the court, and then embrace the food, drinks and U.S. Open women’s singles final that was being shown on the pool deck. All of it combined to create another version of Long Island’s premier adult tennis tournament.
“I would like to thank our title sponsor Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group for their amazing support in helping us put on a professionally-run and successful event. We pay a lot of attention to the small details and we continue to learn from each event, but I want to thank my CoTournament Director Michelle Stoerback, all of our sponsors and all of our supporting players for their part,” said Tournament Director David Sickmen.
“Each tournament, we continue to see returning faces, but are also pleased to keep seeing new players join us from all across the Metropolitan area, which is a great indication of the event’s continued growth, and we are excited to host our next tournament later this fall.”
The next Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge event is set for Saturday, November 29 at SPORTIME Syosset. Visit www.LongIslandTennisMagazine.com/Ev ents/2025ThanksgivingChallenge to learn more and register.
Top Tennis Stars Arrive In New Jersey For Inaugural A Racquet At The Rock
HarrisBlitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and Unified Events will partner on a marquee tennis event featuring two best-of-three matchups featuring some of the top tennis players in the world entitled ‘A Racquet at The Rock.’
The marquee matchups will feature 2025 Wimbledon and US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova facing off against 2021 US Open Champion Emma Raducanu, followed by a clash between sixtime Major Champion, Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his US Open Championship and new World Number One ranking, battling against two-time US Open Semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.
The inaugural event will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. ET, in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center and will be the first tennis event in the 18 plus year storied history of the building.
Event Matchups:
• Best of three sets between Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe
• Best of three sets between Amanda Anisimova vs. Emma Raducanu
‘A Racquet at The Rock,’ the inaugural unique exhibition celebrating the world's best tennis players will provide fans the opportunity to see their favorite players take the court at New Jersey’s biggest stage, Prudential Center. The event will also pay homage to New Jersey’s own tennis history, with more details being subsequently announced.
Experience it Live Tickets for ‘A Racquet at The Rock’
presented by Turkish Airlines are on sale NOW! Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, Prucenter.com, and Prudential Center’s Box Office. For Premium seating opportunities, visit prucenter.com/premium.
Various exclusive VIP packages will also be available for purchase, including the Courtside Club seating package. This package includes allinclusive Food and Beverage (beer, wine, and soft drinks) in the Prudential Lounge from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Additional beverage options available for purchase. The offer includes a photo opportunity with select players; availability may vary. Full details will be emailed to purchasers before the event.
Hear From The Players
“It is always a lot of fun to be on the court with Frances—we love to compete against each other, and I can’t wait to put on a great show for
the fans in Newark. To play again in the metropolitan area with all the amazing fans, it's something special. They bring such unique energy, and they love tennis so much. I’m looking forward to December 7 at Prudential Center, it will be a special night of great tennis.” - Carlos
Alcaraz
“Carlos and I have played many incredible matches throughout the years on the biggest stages in the world. We always bring out the best in each other and I am looking forward to putting on a show for the great fans in the tri-state area on December 7 at the inaugural ‘A Racquet at The Rock.’” - Frances Tiafoe
“It's a special feeling to return to the place where my tennis dreams first began. I am looking forward to playing against one of the best players in the world in Emma and having the opportunity to do so in my original home state of New Jersey. It will be an incredible celebration of tennis on December 7 at the inaugural ‘A Racquet at The Rock.’”Amanda Anisimova
“Playing at the inaugural ‘A Racquet at The Rock’ against Amanda is an exciting way to end the season. Our matches are always competitive, and we will make sure to put on a great show on December 7. The energy of a packed arena, especially in the tri-state area, is unmatched. I’m incredibly excited to play and feed off the crowd's atmosphere for this extraordinary event.” - Emma Raducanu
USTA Eastern Metro Region
Meet the Metro Region’s new community tennis coordinator
Trading in a Metro-North ticket for an OMNY card. Earlier this summer, USTA Eastern staffer Austin Doyle started a new chapter as the organization’s community tennis coordinator (CTC) for New York City, after previously serving in the same capacity for the Westchester/Rockland areas. CTCs play a key role in growing the game: They collaborate with volunteers, tennis facilities, schools, parks and other community outlets to expand access and bring more players into the tennis community. We talked to Doyle about his history in the sport and what he hopes to accomplish in his new position.
When did you first pick up a racquet? What is your tennis origin story?
Doyle: I first picked up a tennis racquet in seventh grade. I grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri, a small, close-knit, midwestern town. The local park was just a ten-minute walk from home and had surprisingly nice tennis courts that were always open and wellmaintained. My friends and I would bike over and play for hours. My older sister, who played on the JV team in high school, also inspired me and often needed a hitting partner, so our summer evenings were spent on the courts. By high school, tennis had become a huge
part of our identity, and it was something truly special. My best friend and I quit baseball to pick up tennis, and it quickly became our passion. We'd get so competitive over matches that we'd end up in fights over line calls, but it was all part of the energy we brought to the game.
What do you love most about the sport?
Doyle: What I love most about tennis is how it forces me to be completely present. No matter what kind of stress or anxiety I'm feeling about something else going on in my life, when I’m on the court, I have to think about executing every shot. When I am in that zone, the feeling of hitting a perfect shot is addictive in the best way. It’s a feeling I never want to give up.
What appealed to you about working in the game, and more specifically, for an organization whose mission is to grow and promote the sport at the grassroots level?
Doyle: The way tennis has shaped my life inspires me to help others find the same joy and access. I’ve been fortunate through USTA Eastern to support small communities and help them feel connected to a larger system of support. When I tell someone we can help, I
Doyle and Sanchez: Doyle (right) poses with USTA Eastern New Jersey Community Tennis Coordinator
Andrés Sánchez
USTA Eastern Metro Region
take that promise seriously. Knowing people are counting on me pushes me to follow through, because if I do my job well, I believe it might make a real difference in someone’s life.
You previously served as the CTC for the Southern Region (Westchester and Rockland counties and the Mid-Hudson valley) at USTA Eastern. What did you enjoy about that role?
Doyle: One of the most rewarding highlights of my time as the CTC in the Southern Region was helping community tennis associations revitalize and launch new programs. In many places, the local tennis community had fallen by the wayside because no one knew how to get things organized again. I was able to step in and help tie everything together, bringing that sense of community and connection back. When tennis isn't organized, that bond can get lost, and it was fulfilling to help restore it. I was happy to take the baton and bring that sense of livelihood back to a few communities in the lower Hudson Valley.
What were some of your proudest moments serving those communities?
Doyle: I love being able to advocate for someone’s
dream and watch it become reality. And not just for [tennis organizers], but for everyone they will inspire and reach. A specific example is when I facilitated a partnership between the Rockland Community Tennis Association (RCTA) and New York Junior Tennis & Learning in 2023. The RCTA had no indoor courts for their kids in the winter, and NYJTL had available court time just 30 minutes away. Bringing them together created training opportunities for these kids [during the colder months], and seeing them improve and succeed because of that partnership was incredibly rewarding.
What are your ultimate goals serving the Metro Region? What do you hope to accomplish?
Doyle: Tennis is having a moment right now! People love the fashion and the style and they enjoy watching it. But that interest doesn't always translate into people actually picking up a racquet and playing, either because they're scared or can't afford it. I'd love to help bridge that gap by supporting our providers in transforming that cultural excitement into real participation. It’s all about creating fun, engaging experiences so that when people come to a tennis program, they quickly learn to love playing.
Doyle (right) leads a tennis lesson for young players at a recent USTA Eastern event
TheUSTA Eastern Metro Region
USTA Eastern Players Score Big Results At 2025 U.S. Open
Hance and Kennedy: Hance and Kennedy
came back from 1-3, 4-7 and 5-8 down in the 10-point third set
2025 US Open concluded with one Eastern-based player in the winner’s circle: Jack Kennedy, of Huntington, N.Y., lifted the junior boys’ doubles trophy with partner Keaton Hance, of USTA Southern California. The duo—who were the No. 6 seeds at the event— defeated fellow Americans and No. 7 seeds Noah Johnston and Benjamin Willwerth, 6-3, 1-6, [10-8], to claim the championship.
“It feels amazing to be part of the list of junior Grand Slam champions,” Kennedy said of his big win. “[They are] a bunch of legends who have their names in tennis history. [And] it was truly a special moment to share with Keaton alongside me to capture this title.”
The result capped off a busy US Open for the New Yorker. Kennedy also competed in the men’s qualifying event and the boys’ singles draw—where as the No. 9 seed he reached the third round, ultimately losing to eventual semifinalist Luis Guto Miguel of Brazil. Over the course of his singles campaign he got to compete inside Louis Armstrong Stadium twice, a rare opportunity not often bestowed upon juniors over the course of the fortnight.
“To play on Armstrong and to experience everything that the pros experience, it was really cool,” he said. “So many moments I felt like I was a pro on that court.”
Lifting a Grand Slam trophy no doubt gave him that
feeling as well.
“The US Open is a special time of year for me, especially being a New Yorker who's been coming to this tournament since I was six or seven years old,” he said. “It was a great few weeks, and I was really happy with how everything went. I'm handling all the big moments, from playing in the men's qualifying to the final of a junior slam. I'm also really happy to play, as I like to say, in my backyard, and I'm really grateful for all the opportunities that the USTA has given me. I'm excited for next year and more US Opens in the future.”
Kennedy wasn’t the only Eastern-based player putting on a backyard show. Former Eastern junior and NYC native Cooper Williams reached the second round of the men’s doubles draw with Duke University teammate Theodore Winegar. The athletes earned a wild card into the event based on results at the American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoffs in June. And world No. 129 and Greenwich, Connecticut native Eliot Spizzirri—who grew up training at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens—recorded his best-ever finish at a Grand Slam, reaching the second round for the first time. (He also took a set off of No. 32 seed Luciano Darderi in a closelycontested battle to determine who would face eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in Round 3.)
(right)
match tiebreaker to claim the championship. Photo courtesy Bryan Kennedy
The Best Tennis Vacation of Your Life Tennis Fantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends
TennisFantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends, the original tennis fantasy camp, is your chance to play tennis and rub shoulders with the all-time greats of the game. Join host three-time Wimbledon Champion John Newcombe and his “mates” at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas for a most memorable tennis event.
The legendary staff will include International Tennis Hall of Fame Members John Newcombe, Mark Woodforde, Charlie Pasarell and Jonathan Stark, as well as Grand Slam winners Ross Case, Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, Rick Leach, Luke and Murphy Jensen, plus Johan Kriek, Mikael Pernfors, and Dani Visser. Together, more than 150 Grand Slam titles and
hundreds of other major championships are assembled under one roof! Learn, play and mingle with tennis royalty.
Tennis Fantasies 2026 offers two great programs:
March 5 - 8, 2026
Tennis Fantasies (Men and Women)
October 18 - 23, 2026
Tennis Fantasies (Men Only)
On-court activities include clinics, team competition, and “fantasy” proam matches. After tennis, guests will enjoy the “Aussie-style” hospitality of the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. The Ranch is located just outside of
New Braunfels in the rolling Hill country of central Texas, 30 minutes from the San Antonio airport. The crystal clear water of Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe River, and the Comal River are just minutes from the Ranch.
Accommodations at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch are one- or two-bedroom condominiums or a courtside room. The Ranch has 32 deco-turf and four Har-Tru courts, eight lighted and four all-weather covered courts for guaranteed tennis every day.
You don’t want to miss this magical tennis adventure. Join John Newcombe and his “mates” for the best tennis vacation of your life!For more information, visit TennisFantasies.net, contact SteveC@TowneProperties.com or call (513) 489-9700.
Losing Stinks How To Deal With A Tough Loss
By Rob Polishook
Imagine this: You're playing on the show court, grinding it out on the hard courts under the scorching sun. The first game ends in a hard-fought victory of 11-8. However, in the tightly contested second set, you narrowly lose 911, even after holding two match points! Now, you find yourself in the third game, with the score tied at 9-9. Suddenly, your opponent's shot hits the net, trickles over, and you hear an echoing thought in your head: "game, match." It's yet another disappointing loss, but this time, it cuts even deeper. The pain intensifies as you had two match points in the second game and multiple opportunities to seal victory in the third. Slowly, you approach the net, exchanging paddle taps with your partner and opponents. Your hand feels limp, your body drained of energy as if a vacuum cleaner sucked it away. Your legs tremble, and your eyes remain glazed over. It's simply unfathomable what has just unfolded before your eyes.
So, what's a player supposed to do? How can you overcome this overwhelming disappointment? Your friends, who are also avid players, nonchalantly tell you it's no big deal, to just move on. They assure you that you'll perform better next time. Don't you despise that phrase? However, despite being drenched in sweat and feeling partially paralyzed, you manage to hear their words, although you can barely respond. It's as if you're struck with lockjaw, unable to utter a single word. Inside your mind, you're incessantly replaying the points
that you believe you should have won, desperately clutching onto those missed opportunities.
So, let me reiterate... what is a player supposed to do? How do you cope with the disappointment? How do you bounce back from a painful defeat? First and foremost, let's acknowledge the undeniable truth: It's neither easy nor pleasant! Nevertheless, there comes a point when the pain begins to subside, be it within a few hours or a day. At this juncture, it becomes crucial to adopt a different perspective on the match. How do you go about picking up the shattered pieces? What steps must you take to improve next time? How will you seize opportunities and consistently position yourself to overcome obstacles?
The following five steps are designed to assist you, the disheartened player, in experiencing and overcoming a disappointing performance. Equally valuable, this list serves as an excellent resource for parents, coaches, and friends who seek to support the player throughout the stages of disappointment, release, and recovery.
1. The right to feel disappointed: You have earned the right to feel disappointed. Let's be honest: after giving it your all, pouring your heart into the competition, it's nearly impossible to put on a smile and simply forget about things after a closely fought loss. Allow yourself some time. It's perfectly okay to feel disappointed. In fact, it's expected. Why wouldn't you be? You deeply care, you've
put in countless hours of practice, you're a warrior, and you fought like one! Disappointment is a natural emotion—it even hurts, and that's completely fine. It's not something that requires an immediate fix. Time is usually the healer. Disappointment can be likened to mourning a loss. Grant yourself the space to decompress, acknowledge your emotions, and find inner calm. Paradoxically, by allowing yourself to embrace the disappointment, you also open doors to release and resolve the painful feelings. One of the factors that makes victory so incredibly sweet and drives our motivation is the profound understanding and experience of disappointment.
2. One step closer: Believe it or not, you have actually taken one step closer towards your goals! Take inspiration from the legendary Babe Ruth, who used to say, "Every time I strike out, I'm one step closer to hitting a home run!" Babe would learn from each time he stepped up to the plate, adjusting his strategies accordingly. You can do the same. It may seem like you're going nowhere or even regressing, but keep persevering and learning. Perhaps the competition has become tougher, or the matchup is less favorable. Remember the saying: "It's always darkest before the dawn." In other words, the sun rises after the darkest hour! That slump you're experiencing might be a significant learning curve that simply needs to be endured, much like riding out a wave. Just beyond that wave lies smooth sailing. Hold on tight...
3. Failure offers valuable feedback: If you listen, you become aware. Failures, setbacks, and obstacles can often catch us off guard, but it's the true champion who can readjust and extract valuable feedback. Feedback should be approached without judgment, seen as an opportunity for learning, enabling you to make necessary changes and adapt for the future. Consider this: Has there ever been a great champion, whether an individual or a team, who didn't learn from failures, setbacks, and obstacles? All exceptional champions understand the reasons behind their competition and utilize their "Big Why" to regain their focus. How long were fans critical of Federer during his early days? They claimed he was just hype. However, Federer was silently proving himself, taking on opponents, and continuously learning from each experience along the way.
4. Reframe it! After you have decompressed, take a moment to ask yourself some fundamental questions. How can you view this loss or situation from a different perspective? Is there a way to find something positive in it? What valuable lessons can be learned, despite the defeat? And let's not forget: Give yourself credit for having the courage to show up and put yourself on the line. Consider how few others are competing with the same level of heart and determination as you.
5. Focus on the process, not the outcome. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most crucial points, encompassing the essence of all other points. Although you may have experienced a loss in this particular performance, it represents another significant stride toward your ultimate goal. The match has granted you invaluable experience and exposed you to the pressure of real-time competition. This exposure is immensely precious and cannot be replicated in practice alone. Always bear in mind that every great champion has had to pay their dues along the journey.
Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is the founder of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. As a mental training coach, he works with the whole human athlete helping them to unleash their mental edge (heart.energy.spirit) through mindfulness, somatic psychology, animal wisdom and mental training skills. Rob is author of 2 best-selling books: Tennis Inside the Zone and Baseball Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. He can be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, by email rob@insidethezone.com, by visiting insidethezone.com, following on Instagram @insidethezone
spotlight Junior Player
By Brian Coleman
Mariia Vainshtein
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
Thebeauty of tennis is that it holds a lot more importance, and can have a greater impact than just forehands and backhands, and wins and losses. Being a tennis player allows one to become part of a community with people of shared interests, and oftentimes bridges gaps.
For Mariia Vainshtein, moving from war-torn Ukraine to New York a few years ago, she found solace on the tennis court, and with her fellow tennis players.
“It was hard to adjust at first,” Vainshtein recalls. “I didn’t know a lot of English, I did learn some in Ukraine, but it was hard to find friends, hard to speak with teachers or coaches, but somehow I managed to learn a little bit. And playing tennis with many different types of people, from different cultures, helped me a lot. Everyone on court was so nice and welcoming, and playing tennis really helped me adjust.”
past year. While she didn’t speak much English upon arriving in the States, she speaks the language very well now, and has become one of the better players in all of New York City. This past year alone she has racked up many accolades.
Vainshtein led her James Madison team to the PSAL 2A New York City Championship in her junior season, while also winning the PSAL Individual Singles title.
In the spring, she captured both the singles and girls’ doubles titles at the Mayor’s Cup, performing well on her home courts at the Cary Leeds Center.
Vainshtein is now a senior at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, and has been training at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx for the
“The team title is what meant the most to me because we put in a lot of work together. We supported each other throughout the season, and had such team spirit, so it was rewarding to come together and win that,” she said. “The individual titles were great in a different way because a lot of the girls I played against, I had actually lost to at least once during the regular season, so it was really nice to beat them. Playing on the Cary
Leeds court was amazing, all the coaches from there and all the players I train with were there supporting me. That really helped motivate me.”
Vainshtein’s tennis journey began back in Ukraine, when her doctor told her parents that she had poor eyesight and should try to do an activity that helped improve that. Being able to follow the ball in tennis seemed like the ideal mechanism to solve this, and so when she was five-yearsold, she hit the courts for the first time.
A few years later, she was playing more competitively and entered various junior tournaments. But when Russia invaded Ukraine back in 2022, her father decided it was best if her and her mother left the country. They landed in Brooklyn, and in the shadow of MatchPoint NYC, where she was able to join a community of many Ukrainians, which helped with the initial assimilation process.
“It was really helpful for me to be around people who spoke the same language, who come from the same culture,” Vainshtein recalls. “But at the same time, it also sort of stopped my progress of learning English, because everyone there spoke Ukrainian or Russian, and I didn’t have to speak English that often.”
She then transitioned to training at the Cary Leeds Center, which she says has really helped her grow not just as a tennis player, but also as a
person. Vainshtein continued to learn the language and become more comfortable with who she was, not to mention growing as a tennis player.
“They put in a lot of work during my practices, and help me train for and travel with me to tournaments as well,” said Vainshtein. “Off the court, we have mentoring lessons and how to improve the mental side of my game. I have just been able to learn a lot of lessons that have helped me on court and in school, but also just in life in general.”
Those lessons have proved to be essential for Vainshtein’s tennis. “If I start losing, sometimes I crash out, which is not good. I need to work on that,” she says with a smile.
“The Cary Leeds Center helps me a lot with that, and we work on things that help me stay calm while remaining competitive. It can get a little ugly when I get mad, so understanding how to deal with
those things is something I am definitely working on.”
The full name of the facility is the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, and it's the last word of that, “learning”, that holds major significance for Vainshtein. She approaches her academics with the same vigor she does her tennis, and wants to major in political science when she goes to college next year, before attending law school to become a lawyer.
“Playing college tennis would be really nice, and I am interested in doing that. If that happens, I’d be very grateful,” she said. “But if not, I still have my career path to become a lawyer, which is what I am really excited to pursue.”
With so much on her plate, from her high school tennis and junior tennis schedule, in addition to the amount of time she spends on her schooling, Vainshtein is a busy girl. To decompress from the stresses of tennis and school, she loves to spend her free time driving in her car, where she says she is able to unwind and clear her head.
“Sometimes I just go for drives by myself. Some of my friends say I’m a bad driver, but it’s not true, I’m a very good driver,” she says jokingly.
It’s been three years since Vainshtein fled Ukraine for New York, and the notion of war continuing in her home country is something she still thinks about every day, especially when her father travels back there often. But she has been able to carve out her own path here in New York City, and is looking forward to what comes next.
USTA National Tennis Center Hosts Free Family Tennis Festival In Honor Of Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows hosted a Free Family Tennis Festival, featuring latin food and dance, as well as on-court opportunities for young kids to play with some local junior players of hispanic heritage, as well as former world number one Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
Qalbani Wins Singles, Doubles Crowns in Lexington
Rowan Qalbani (pictured left) brought home the singles and doubles titles at the ITF J60 event in Lexington, Kentucky. Qalbani, who trains out of the John
McEnroe Tennis Academy, won all of his matches in straight sets to win the singles championship, and paired with Marcel Latak (who he beat in the singles final) to win the doubles title.
Centercourt’s Graham Wins Back-to-Back Titles
Across Metro N
Across Metro N
Serge Graham, who trains out of
Centercourt Tennis Academy, posted top results to win titles in back-to-back weeks. First, Graham won the Boys 12s singles title at the L6 event in Brunswick Hills Tennis Center, and followed that up with a Boys 12s singles crown at the L6 tournament at Ramapo College.
Matsura Earns L6 Championship
Winning all of his matches in straight sets, Kyle Matsura was the winner of a recent L6 title.
Matsura, who plays his tennis out of CourtSense Tennis Training Center, won the Boys 16s title with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win in the championship match.
New York
USTA Eastern Completes Renovation Project at Kissena Park in Queens
Continuing its push to refurbish and renovate tennis courts at parks throughout the Section, USTA Eastern completed its latest project with a $320,585 project at Kissena Park in Queens. Teaming up with the New York City Parks Department through its Adopt-A-Park process, and with nets and court equipment donated from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the Kissena Park project was completed this fall.
Dangin, Weiss of The Ross School Win Section XI Doubles Title
Lola Dangin & Lillie Weiss from the Ross School in East Hampton are the 2025 Suffolk County (Section XI) girls’ doubles champions. The pairing teamed up to win 6-2, 6-1 in the county finals to win the title and advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Individual Championships.
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club’s Anne Hobbs Tournaments Provide Players With Unique Competitive Experience
Ona beautiful late-October morning, a group of dedicated tennis players gathered at the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club to participate in one of the club’s unique offerings: Anne Hobbs Doubles Tournaments.
Run quarterly, these tournaments bring together a mix of different women’s tennis players to compete in a roundrobin style competition. At some of them, you can choose your own partner to compete with throughout the duration, but other times, like the one this October, every lady switches partners in each match (which were played to a total of five games).
By switching up partners for each round-robin, it forces each player to quickly adjust not only to their opponent’s games, but also their own partners, which really tests each player’s ability to think on their feet, and handle any distractions that may arise.
“The matches are very quick, so the intensity is heightened, and it’s a bit like playing a tiebreak,” said Hobbs. “We really focus on playing under pressure. It’s beneficial to have practices and take lessons, but nothing replaces that competition. Whether they win or lose today, the goal is to learn from what happened, and how to better deal with those pressures.”
There are snacks and drinks provided for the players, and there are smiles abound throughout the event’s duration, striking the ideal balance between having a good time but diving deep into the heart of the competition.
“I’ve been playing weekly for the last three years, doing clinics about two times a week, and I love to play in Anne’s tournaments,” said Laura Raicovich. “As somebody who played competitive sports in college, it can be harder to find that when you get older. So it’s nice to have that in a fun, light-hearted environment. I call it ‘fun competitive’, we take them seriously but it’s about having fun, playing good tennis and being in the moment.”
A key tenant of the tournaments is the guidance and advice provided by Hobbs both before, during and after the matches. Hobbs watches each player meticulously, taking notes on what each did well or could improve on, and relays that information to them when they come off of the court. This dynamic is crucial because it ensures that the players are learning as they go, and are able to improve upon it.
Hobbs’ instruction is invaluable. She is a former professional tennis player from Great Britain who reached the fourth round in singles at all four of the majors during her playing career as well as reaching the doubles final at both the Australian Open and U.S Open, as well as a Mixed Doubles final at the Australian
Open, before becoming a tennis coach.
“At the end of a tournament, we talk about things that they may not have bargained for, or how they managed their emotions during the big points,” Hobbs explains. “It’s not so much about working on the technical side of things. And sometimes, players don’t necessarily know what questions to ask, but they know that as I watch, I am able to sift through the things we should work on in the next lesson or clinic.”
The tournaments serve as a great way for players to meet and compete with new people, and be able to tap into the competitive nature of the sport.
“I come here from time to time to do clinics, and have played in four of Anne’s
tournaments," said Lorri Ahl. “It’s interesting because you are playing with people you’ve never played before, and you have to adjust to that, and so it provides a perfect way to see if you want to do more competitive USTA leagues. These tournaments are perfect for preparing me for the league I play in.”
At the end of each tournament, Hobbs addresses all the players, and provides plaques for the winner (the player who won the most total games) and runner-up. Every player walks away from the competition feeling better about their tennis games, and are ready to continue improving at their next clinic, lesson or match.
2025 Coaches Roundtable
The local tennis community boasts some of the top coaches in the world, and with this wealth of talent available, New York Tennis Magazine took the opportunity to pick the brains of some of these coaches. These coaches share their thoughts on a wide variety of tennis topics and issues, ranging from junior tennis to the professional game.
MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
Pavlo Bednarzh is the Director of QuickStart Programs at MatchPoint NYC. A native of Ukraine, Bednarzh was nominated for his country’s Master of Sport award, given to top coaches and experts in their respective sport, and has been coaching junior tennis players for 30 years.
Yesica De Lucas is the Director of Junior Programming at The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. De Lucas has previously coached at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, and recently completed an outstanding career competing for the St. John’s Tennis Team.
Ankit Chopra is a High Performance Coach at Centercourt Tennis Academy. He works a lot with the club’s highperformance and full-time players. He is a GPTCA, ATP and PTR Certified coach. He played his collegiate tennis at the University of Chattanooga, and Chicago State University before pursuing a career on the pro tour.
Tawhid Choudhury is a tennis professional at the Nassau Tennis & Sports Center. He grew up playing in different programs in New York City, while competing in national and international ITF tournaments, before going on to play college tennis at Asa College in Miami.
Dale Evans is the Director of Tennis Operations at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Originally from Oakland, CA, he is a 2-time tennis industry national award winner and 2-time national coaching champion who has spoken at several conferences and USPTA World Conferences. After playing collegiate tennis at Jackson State University (MS), he has spent an extensive amount of time coaching players and leading high-performing teams throughout the tennis industry. He holds a B.S. in Management and M.S. in Sports Management and certifications from USPTA, PTR, Academia De SanchezCasal, and IPTPA.
Bob Ingersole is the Director of Advantage Camps. Originally from Australia, he moved to the U.S. in 1976 to compete on the professional tour. A USPTA and PTR certified coach, he has trained over 100 nationally ranked juniors and adults, as well as 16 professional players. Twice named USPTA Eastern Pro of the Year and inducted into the Eastern Hall of Fame, Bob also created Star Search, a program that introduces young athletes to tennis. He lives on Roosevelt Island with his wife, Dina.
Steve Kaplan is the owner and managing director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as director emeritus of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation, executive director and founder of Serve & Return Inc and co-director of The City Classic Junior Tennis Academy. Steve has coached more than 1,100 nationally- ranked junior players, 16 New York State high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous highlyranked touring professionals. In 2017, Steve was awarded the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award by the USTA.
Ed Krass coached the Harvard Women’s Tennis Team to four consecutive Ivy League titles from 1986-1990. Ed is the founder and director of the Annual College Tennis Exposure Camps, which are taught exclusively by all head college coaches for high school-aged players (15-18). Ed is also the founder of One-On-One Doubles tournaments, which have been played at USTA, ATP, ITA and USPTA national events.
Chris Lewit is a former number one for Cornell and pro circuit player. He is a highperformance coach, educator, and the author of two bestselling books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and The Tennis Technique Bible. He has coached numerous top 10 nationally- ranked players and is known for his expertise in building the foundations of young prodigies. Chris coaches in NYC and yearround at his high performance tennis academy in Manchester, VT, where players can live and train the Spanish Way full- time or short-term.
Reggie Moralejo is the Boys’ Program Director at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida where he has been a coach since 2011. He previously served as the Director of Junior Player Development for the Sociedad Sportiva Tennis Club, and a head coach at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy. He played collegiately at the University of Hawaii where he played number one singles and was an Academic All-American.
Ognen Nikolovski is the general manager of CourtSense and director of tennis at Bogota Racquet Club. He is a former top junior from Yugoslavia who went on to play college tennis at Rollins College where he became an all-American. He went on to become a worldranked singles and doubles player on the ATP Tour and was a captain of the Macedonia Davis Cup team. He joined CourtSense in 2008 where his passion and experience has become instrumental in developing the program.
Edoardo Tessaro is a tennis coach at the Ross School Tennis Center. Born and raised in Italy, he competed internationally before attending Virginia Tech where he helped lead the Hokies to their best ranking in program history. He graduated in 2016 with an MS in nutrition and exercise, and then played on the professional tour.
MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
Evan Vrsajiko is the CoDirector of the Junior Tennis program at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. He played Division I tennis for St. Francis College and has served as a US Open hitting partner. Before joining RIRC, he worked with Patrick McEnroe at the USTA Player Development Program at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from 2013 to 2015 and later served as Junior Director at Cunningham Tennis. A USPTA P1-certified professional, Evan specializes in high-performance player development. Known for his infectious energy and dynamic coaching style, he brings out the best in every player he works with.
Dejan Vukojicic, a Senior Associate Director at SPORTIME RI & JMTA, holds a bachelor’s degree in sport and coaching from the College of Sport, Nikola Tesla, Belgrade. He served as the Serbian Tennis Federation’s National Tennis Coach for U12 and Director of its Tennis Junior program. As Miomir Kecmanovic’s coach, he propelled him to #1 in Europe in Under 14s and twice won the Orange Bowl. Dejan also served on the Serbian Tennis Federation’s Coaching Board and Development Committee before joining the SPORTIME/JMTA team in 2022
Mental health is an important topic that has been brought to the forefront of athletics recently. How do you engage your players on their mental well-being, both on and off the court?
De Lucas: Every day I start practice by asking the kids how their day has been. I pay close attention to their behavior and self-talk, especially during competition, because it reveals a lot about their confidence and emotional management. Outside of practice, I make time for one-on-one conversations weekly or biweekly to check in and make sure they’re doing alright both as players and as individuals.
Ingersole: Tennis is a game involving physics, geometr y and psychology. Every student is different in many ways so the first thing I do is to listen to them. That’s essential to helping them create appropriate, meaningful goals and gameplans. To enable them to get focused and re-focus when necessary, I teach my students to utilize rituals, visualization and breathing techniques tailored to their specific likes, dislikes and needs. I stress that these tools can also be used off court when they are anxious or listless to help them get back on track.
Kaplan: As a coach, I first recognize that while I can have a power ful impact on my student’s mental and emotional well being, I'm not a mental health professional and I must stay in my lane. As a result of
this understanding, I stay grounded in assessing my students' behaviors. So, I teach and reinforce positive behaviors like confident posture, movement patterns and racket management as well as positive gestures, self talk and interactions. Performance is not always fully controllable, but accountability to nonperformance behaviors is not only attainable, but a priority for peak performance.
Tessaro: Supporting our players’ mental well-being is woven into ever ything we do, both on and off the court. Coaches check in regularly with athletes about how they’re feeling, balancing school and sport, and navigating the pressures that can come with competition. During training, we teach mental skills alongside physical ones: focus, composure, resilience, and reflection. Players learn strategies such as goal setting, visualization, and positive self-talk to strengthen their confidence and emotional awareness. After matches, we encourage reflection and growth over perfection, helping students turn their experience into a learning opportunity.
Gamesmanship and cheating are always controversial topics at the junior level. How do we begin to try and eliminate those sorts of things from the game?
De Lucas: Kids who cheat often show signs of that behavior in practice, so it’s important for coaches to set
clear boundaries and enforce consequences. Educating parents is also key; if they see their child cheating, they should address it immediately, even if it means stopping the match. Experiencing the consequence of having to retire from a match for that reason can be a powerful lesson that shapes better behavior moving forward.
Evans: I’m not sure the complete elimination or gamesmanship and cheating is possible, but working towards eradicating these two is definitely a national tennis community goal. In recent years, the most power ful tools have come in the form of electronic line calling and parental education. Utilizing Play Replay for electronic line calling here at the National Tennis Center was launched in last November’s Boys 12s Indoor Nationals. This was the first event in my career where zero line judges were requested, and the future lies in tools that promote coaches training players and support competitive integrity.
Nikolovski: There are two ways to keep "attacking this issue: Coaches, Referees, and Parents have to keep finding ways to reward appropriate behavior on the cour t, while also sanctioning players that cheat and regularly twist gamesmanship in their favor. The second is use of technology for electronic line calling is becoming more and more accessible and affordable, and eventually it will get
to the point where every tournament court will have it, which means similar to the pro tour today there will not be much to argue about.
What is the current state of tennis in the Metro area? How do we continue growing and improving?
Chopra: Tennis in our area is in a great position as the spor t continues to grow year-over-year, but we have to constantly find ways to maintain the love for the sport for our athletes and help turn the training process intrinsic for them and that’s where the maximum output from a tennis player comes from.
Vrsajiko: Tennis is booming in NYC. There’s a big demand for it and the cour ts are full wherever you go. Having good coaches that work together is a key element to consistency and growth. The goal is to develop well rounded athletes. For example, for a kid, it teaches discipline, problem solving and can create a pathway for college scholarships. If tennis was more cost friendly it would reach an even wider demographic. And from a recreational perspective, it’s an exercise sport that you could play all the way into your 80s which also helps with the longevity of the sport.
Vukojicic: Tennis in New York is full of energy, passion, and talent — and it has a bright future. The city inspires young players like few others, with worldclass facilities and a strong coaching culture. To keep improving, we need to focus on coach education, individualized training, and consistency in long-term player development.
Where do you stand on players overly celebrating points/being animated and showing emotions during matches?
Choudhury: I think showing emotion is part of what makes tennis exciting and relatable. As long as it’s done respectfully and doesn’t cross into disrespect or gamesmanship, passion on court adds energy and connects players to fans. The sport is evolving, and emotion—when channeled the right way—can actually elevate the level of competition.
Moralejo: I actually like seeing players show emotion. It brings energy to the game and shows how much they care. Tennis can be such a mental battle, and sometimes that release helps you stay fired up. That said, there’s a line between passion and disrespect. Celebrating a big point is fine, but if it becomes about showing up your opponent, it takes away from the spirit of the sport. The best players I’ve seen use emotion to lift themselves, not to tear the other person down.
What do you find most rewarding about being a tennis coach?
Bednar zh: The development of future prospects is the most impor tant thing for me. It’s a reflection of my efforts; I want to serve my students the best possible service so that they can walk away with something impactful and useful.
Ingersole: I find it truly rewarding to build meaningful, authentic communication with my students. It’s a great feeling knowing I have made real improvements in my student’s lives that extend far beyond the tennis court. My students vary widely, encompassing national level juniors, seniors competing internationally as well as people with autism, dementia, Parkinson’s and mobility challenges. All these things affect their lives day to day so I try to show them how to use what I teach them to make their lives easier and more satisfying.
Krass: I find that being a tennis coach has allowed me to feel proud of my positive impact on the players and coaches who attend my camps. Teaching players good values about being a good person first has been
rewarding. Teaching players the technical, strategical and mental details, for match improvement, with enthusiasm and intensity, has been my style and I think this style has influenced players and coaches alike. My coaching has given me a higher sense of purpose and energy to players and coaches.
Lewit: What I find most rewarding about being a tennis coach is watching my players grow and seeing the results of their hard work. I love witnessing their steady improvement and the pride they feel when their effor t pays off. Working with children brings me so much joy — their energy, sense of humor, curiosity, and excitement make every practice session special. Tennis has always been a huge part of my life, and sharing that passion with others is deeply fulfilling. My happiest and most meaningful moments are always spent around the tennis court.
Nikolovski: When a player gets that twinkle in their eye where I can notice that they have felt something on the cour t that they have not felt before. The only other thing that comes close to this is seeing a former student/player reaching out, or simply telling you how much you as a coach or person has had a positive impact on their life on and off the court.
What advice would you give a former player who has desires to go into coaching?
Chopra: Put your player hat down and put on a coaching hat. Don’t base your coaching on the experience of your playing career only. Keep evolving and become a great coach by becoming a great learner.
Evans: Jump in...the water is warm! All of us in the tennis industr y are former players. Whether high school, college, or professional all of our stories began being fed balls and evolved into us feeding balls. The most important aspect of developing as a tennis coach begins with embracing mentors. Mentors that view tennis courts as their office, role models who exhibit leadership, and organizations such as USTA Coaching will give new coaches a foundation to succeed while learning the art of coaching.
Moralejo: The first thing I would say is: coaching is a completely different challenge from playing. You might’ve been a great player, but coaching is about helping someone else find their best version, not turning them into a copy of you. Be patient, listen a lot, and keep learning. Watch good coaches work, take courses, ask questions. And remember, players don’t just need technical tips, they need support, belief, and guidance, especially when things aren’t going well. That’s where a good coach really makes a difference
Do you see any trends in technique used by the top players that you now use in your teaching? Or any tendencies from today’s stars that you see junior players using?
Nikolovski: Players today hit much more through the ball than ever before, and the game at the pro level has really shifted much more toward pure power of the ground. On a tactical level using the first shot after ser ve or return to create advantage in the game is something that more juniors are starting to use, so Serve + 1, and Return + 1 has become a must as part of the daily/weekly practice routine.
Tessaro: The modern game demands explosive lowerbody strength, balance, and quick recover y, so we emphasize building that athletic foundation from the start. Players learn to move with purpose, stay centered through each shot, and transition seamlessly between points. One of the biggest technical shifts we’ve incorporated is in forehand preparation because today’s players tend to favor a more compact swing and semi-open stance, with earlier racquet preparation and shorter takebacks.
Vrsajiko: I’ve noticed some changes with the forehand technique. It star ts with your racket and elbow up higher
and then dropping it to get more shape on the ball. By starting higher with the racket you’re able to drive the ball through the court easier. I’ll say overall the biggest change is the physicality of the sport. It’s much more explosive.
Vukojicic: Yes. Today’s top players rely more on fluid movement, explosive leg drive, and efficient use of body rotation to generate power. The modern game is about rhythm, timing, and dynamic balance. I integrate these elements through differential learning and a constraints-led approach, helping juniors develop adaptable and athletic stroke patterns.
The U.S. Open raised ticket prices across the board this year, but also saw a record number of people attend the event. What do you think this indicates about tennis' standing comparatively to other sports?
Choudhury: It shows that tennis is growing in cultural relevance and fan engagement. People aren’t just watching for the sport—they’re drawn to the atmosphere, the personalities, and the overall experience. Tennis is positioning itself closer to mainstream entertainment, which is a positive sign for its long-term growth and marketability.
Would junior tennis benefit from having more team events and tournaments like other sports? Do you think the isolation/individualism of tennis can deter young players from playing?
Bednarzh: The sport being individual plays absolutely zero factor as a deterrent. It’s the nature of the sport. Chess is a sport and game that has existed since time immemorial, yet children and adults are driven to play it to this very day.
De Lucas: At Cary Leeds, we host Sunday Match Play for our Green Ball and High Per formance players, and they constantly ask to play doubles. It’s clear they love the social and collaborative side of the game. Building that sense of community makes the sport more fun and engaging, so I’d love to see more team and doubles events, especially for 10U players.
Ingersole: Encouraging team play in tennis has been a ver y high priority for me. I helped create and run the first Zone Team Championships or Zonals. This is a regional team event where junior players represent their home section and compete against teams from other nearby sections. Recently, I’ve championed the creation of National Dominant Duo events. I’m also a big supporter of “No Cut” high school tennis teams.
There has been a surge in popularity of other racquet spor ts in recent years. What are the pros and cons of how this affects tennis?
Bednarzh: I don’t think it has any impact on the spor t. This sport generates roughly 30 billion a year, the closest racquet sport is badminton that generates roughly 3 billion. Tennis has existed since 1867 and has grown and evolved in time. It’s only becoming more popular.
Chopra: The only downside I see here is the infrastructure being taken away from tennis to facilitate these other racket spor ts instead of providing them their own. Tennis is and will remain the royalty amongst the racket sports. The tennis community should remember the glamour which the sport of Tennis holds and that it can’t be matched by any other racket sports. It is the world’s healthiest sport and its attraction is unparalleled and that is what should be promoted instead of worrying about any other racket sports.
Choudhury: The surge in pickleball and padel
shows a broader interest in racquet spor ts, which is ultimately good for tennis. It gets more people active and familiar with similar skills. The challenge is ensuring tennis continues to innovate and stay accessible, especially for new players. But overall, it creates more opportunities to introduce people to the game we love.
Krass: The recent surge in racquet sports has been noticeable and cer tainly a good thing. Whether these racquet sports have a positive or negative impact on tennis is highly debatable. Are there more tennis players converting to playing other racquet sports and Vice-Versa? I do not have the data on this, but sure would like to.
What fundamental beliefs about tennis technique have you questioned or changed over time?
Chopra: I have noted that the technique taught at the introductor y stages of the game is pretty outdated and believe it’s time for a revolution. Core rotation is a concept that needs to be incorporated at a young age thanks to the lighter, smaller rackets and low bouncing, less pressure tennis balls which should be empowering for the coaches to teach with more technical precision.
De Lucas: When I first started coaching, I tried to teach ever y player the same form. Over time, I realized that adaptability is essential. Each player has unique strengths and movement patterns. Even top players evolve technically; for instance, in 2024, Iga Swiatek modified her serve take-back. It’s a reminder that while there are universal principles, effective technique always allows room for individual variation.
Kaplan: Coaches should always be willing to adapt and lear n more, and one example of this in my experience is the language we use. It’s often imprecise and potentially misleading. Do we really "step into the ball” or "towards the ball? Are we really "late" when we hit or "mechanically disadvantaged"? Should we cue, 'bending our knees' or "hinging our hips”? Words matter. Check out my article in this edition for more beliefs that have changed over time."
Lewit: In the past, players were taught to stay grounded on most shots, but the moder n game has evolved to include more explosive, aerial movements and players now frequently lift off the ground to generate greater power and spin. I’ve come to appreciate how athleticism and dynamic
footwork have reshaped stroke production. The lassotype finish is a forehand technique evolution that has also been a dramatic change. Another major shift in my thinking involves the Western grip. It was once discouraged and seen as unconventional, but now several of the top male and female players use it successfully.
Who do you look at on the pro tour currently as a role model for your students? Why?
Bednarzh: Any of the top 10 players are an example of excellence, however the top 100 are a standard to look up to. Whoever is doing well is a great example for tennis. I’ve used players from 30 years ago like Sampras, to the Sinners and Alcaraz’s of today.
Nikolovski: Sinner and Alcaraz have really risen to the top of this current generation, and I love it that they are both different in some of their approaches to the game. On one side, Sinner seems to have almost a per fect attitude on the court, where there are no major emotional ups and downs in his game, while also he is relentless and fearless in his approach to every point regardless of the score....simply a coach's dream. On the other side Alcaraz is the ultimate baller with endless
talent, and desire to compete with a smile on his face.
Vrsajiko: Believe it or not, as a coach we tend to watch less tennis because we are on cour t so much ...but I have to say Carlos Alvarez because that’s the name you hear the most with the kids and that’s amazing. He is someone young, impressive and a good role model for the kids. He’s exciting to watch and that’s amazing for the sport. The new generation needs to be excited to watch someone. I also have to mention Novak because he’s more of my generation and is still playing exceptionally well.
When and how do you know if a young player is ready to begin competing in tournaments?
Kaplan: If success in a tournament is the goal, most players are rarely ready to compete. If the goal is to lear n, challenge and guide from the tournament experience, most players are ready to compete. Competitive people always compete. Tournaments are nothing more than the formalization of that competitive experience.
Moralejo: I think a young player is ready to start
You'll improve your game, meet fellow players, and have fun on court inside the bubble.
competing when they can rally consistently, keep score, and most importantly, want to play tournaments. If they’re asking to compete and they’re excited rather than nervous, that’s a great sign. It’s also about maturity, and being able to handle both wins and losses without falling apart. The first few tournaments shouldn’t be about results, just about learning how competition feels and having fun with it. Once they start enjoying the process, everything else follows.
Tessaro: Players should demonstrate consistent fundamentals, an understanding of match play, and the ability to apply what they’ve learned under pressure. Equally important is emotional readiness. We look for curiosity and excitement about competition, as well as the ability to handle wins and losses with perspective. Every decision is made collaboratively, with input from the player, their family, and their coach, to ensure the experience is positive and aligned with their development.
Vukojicic: When they can stay composed, think tactically, and handle mistakes. It’s not about perfect strokes, but about applying skills under pressure. Competition should be seen as part of the learning process — not as a test of perfection.
What is one thing that providers, or ganizations, coaches etc. can do to continue growing tennis and moving the sport forward?
Evans: Connect and collaborate with one another. Successful tennis growth star ts with our community. Similar to a tennis match, we need competitors who thrive to breed growth. From small scale tennis tournaments to large scale community events, hosting and supporting should be the focus of each facility, which is what we do at the National Tennis Center.
Vrsajiko: First impressions matter, and having a positive experience will keep them coming back. Their interest in the spor t grows and they will continue playing. Another thing we as coaches can do is educate parents and guide them through their kid’s tennis trajectory. This can be from high school tennis all the way to level 7 tournaments to national tournaments. When parents and the kids see a short-term goal and a long-term goal, there’s a deeper connection with the sport and a longer commitment. This focused and dedicated approach helps to create a partnership. Parents then send referrals due to their positive experiences.
What’s a misconception about the college recruiting process that players should know?
Ingersole: Over the years I’ve met many players and their families who think that it’s enough to win matches and get a good ranking for college recruiters to beat a path to their door. Unless a player has a top national ranking, this could not be further from the truth. In order to help the majority of players understand the recruiting process and get seen by college coaches, I created College Showcase Day. This program has helped thousands of players find the right school for their goals and abilities. In addition, many players also land scholarships.
Kaplan: Coaches are likely more experienced at negotiating sales than students are. Ask questions, and Caveat Emptor
Krass: A common misconception in the recruiting process is that you can walk-on to many different teams throughout the countr y. Nowadays, with the heavy influx of international players and roster limits, a player must become a “recruited walk-on” or be a recruited player the coach knows. A player needs to have been approved by the head coach if he or she can play on the team.
Lewit: A big misconception about the college recruiting process is that it doesn’t take an incredible amount of work to play college tennis. The truth is that top Division I players are often competing at near-professional levels, with rankings between 300 and 1000 on the ATP Tour. To reach that standard, players must train with the same discipline, consistency, and intensity as aspiring pros. Even at Division III schools, a very high UTR is usually required to compete, so it still demands serious commitment and focus.
Vukojicic: That only rankings or results matter. College coaches care just as much about attitude, discipline, and academics. The goal isn’t just to get a scholarship — it’s to find the right environment where the player can keep growing on and off the court.
New York
Taste of Tennis Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Star-Studded Event at Aqua
Thestars of the tennis court and the kitchen gathered in the Flatiron District of Manhattan for a special Taste of Tennis event ahead of this year’s U.S. Open. The event marked a milestone for Judi and Penny Lerner, the event’s creators and producers, as it celebrated 25 years of Taste of Tennis in New York City.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what the event has become, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team behind it,” said Penny Lerner. “What started out as a 200 person event in New York City has evolved into one of the most recognized brands in tennis. We have produced Taste of Tennis experiences
across the globe and we have recently begun licensing the brand to exhibitions, tournaments and even hotels seeking to capitalize on our 25 year history and brand equity. Its been an incredible journey!”
This year’s event continued that legacy, but this time at a new location: Aqua New York. Aqua invited Taste of Tennis guests to discover its distinct yet harmonious spaces and culinary excellence through Aqua Kyoto, Aqua Roma and Hutong menus, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the essence of these captivating cultures.
Players in attendance included Genie Bouchard, Sloane Stephens, Vicky
Mboko, Elena Rybakina, Chris Eubanks, Jordan Thompson, Jelena Ostapenko, Nishesh Basavareddy and more.
“Every few years we select a new venue to keep the experience fresh and add new elements. This year, we were excited to host the event at Aqua New York, a new, beautifully designed venue with over 15,000 square feet of event space spread out over two floors,” Lerner added. “To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we showcased the incredible list of tennis stars, celebrities and top chefs that have participated in the event through the years. And, as always, there were special appearances by some of the top players in the sport!”
Credit
Despitecommon thought, it is inconsequential how good a player your coach was in their playing career. But it is of great consequence whether he or she can help you grow. Most of the parents and kids don’t understand this and hence, it’s a constant struggle to find a good coach.
When we talk about finding the right coach for yourself or your child, we are talking about finding the answers to the two core questions about ourselves.
“What do I want to achieve in the sport of tennis?”
“Can this coach help me achieve this goal?”
If you can get the answers to these two questions, you will be able to narrow down your search to find exactly the coach you’re looking for.
You will need a certain level of clarity and understanding about your own self to answer the first question. If you're a parent looking for the right coach for your child, remember, it has to be what your child wants out of this sport, not what you want out of your child in this sport.
Do you like the competitiveness of the sport and want to make it to your high school’s varsity team? Make it to the tennis team of your favorite college/university? Or do you have the ultimate goal of playing professionally and become the world no. 1? Or do you just like it because of the social aspect of the league down at your local club? Once you have figured what you want from the sport, it is then time to
What To Look For In A Coach…
By Ankit Chopra
address the second question.
This is where the parents need to get out of the passenger seat and into the driver’s seat and decide. Because, on this important decision hinges the growth and development of your child’s tennis career or a lack thereof. You will need to gather insights about the potential coaches through networking within the relevant circles and get personal or professional references.
To understand what coach suits your child the best, we need to understand the key phases the player goes through in his/her tennis journey.
There are three learning phases for a tennis player.
The Cognitive Phase
This is the beginning stage where the coaching should be all about teaching the basics of the game in an environment that is all about having fun because this is where the player falls in love with the game.
The Associative Phase
The coach must focus on getting the kids to combine their movements and technical skills in this stage and continue to become more coordinated between the two. Here the coaching needs to shift from telling the players what to do to helping players identify what to do themselves, leading them to
identifying their own errors themselves and finding the fix. The coach needs to train the player’s mind to be their coach, and this can be ensured through repetitions and guided discovery.
The Autonomous phase
As the child enters the teenage years, more and more tactics should be introduced to their game. This is the age when maturity starts to really kick off in a big way. This is time for a more serious approach to the game of tennis. Skills should become automatic by this stage and the coach, along with their player can devote their energies on executing strategies and tactics with the help of those acquired skills.
A good coach will help your child become a better player within any of the three phases. A top coach will be excellent in taking a player from one of these phases to the next one, but it is extremely rare to find a coach who is adept in developing and transitioning a player through all three of these phases. They are a tough catch and you would almost have to be lucky to land one of them.
Which of the three stages does your child belong to in this moment and what coach is compatible to the needs of your child? Let the matchmaking begin.
Ankit Chopra is a High Performance Coach at Centercourt Tennis Academy. He works a lot with the club’s high-performance and full-time players. He is a GPTCA, ATP and PTR Certified coach. He played his collegiate tennis at the University of Chattanooga, and Chicago State University before pursuing a career on the pro tour. He can be reached at ankitchopra2244@gmail.com.
Ihavespent the majority of my life devoted to the sport of tennis, and specifically helping young people develop on and off the court. Over this time, I have formed my own philosophy on what works and what doesn’t work in helping young players find themselves on the court.
There is no one way to coach, and I have found that to be true. Some may say I can be strict, but I am also honest. I try not to promise miracles, but instead, teach hard work.
“When he steps onto the court, the atmosphere shifts. Even the most restless kids pause for a moment, it’s as if Pavlo can command attention without saying a word,” said Anastasiia Volkova, the MatchPoint NYC Marketing Director.
It’s a sentiment I learned as a young player growing up in Kyiv, Ukraine, beginning my tennis journey when I was six-years-old. There was a tennis club across from my kindergarten in Lviv. I just walked in one day, sat down, watched — and that was it. I was hooked. From that day, I spent every day on the court.
My first coach was Vera Ivanovna Yaremkevich — a former Soviet national player, and she was a real Cossack woman with character. Under her guidance, I realized tennis was much more than technique — it was about fight, endurance, and character, something I have carried with me
Honesty, Discipline and Love of the Game: My Philosophy For Junior Tennis
By Pavlo Bednarzh
into my own coaching.
When I arrived in the United States 20 years ago, I found MatchPoint NYC and brought that philosophy with me to the court for more than a decade. That philosophy is “honesty above all”.
I think people appreciate that I tell the truth, and it’s important to build trust between a coach and a child, it’s the backbone of any relationship.
The other pillar is discipline. Talent is one in a hundred. Discipline and consistency — that’s what brings results. Even if you’re not naturally gifted, but you show up every day, step by step — you’ll grow.
Two of my students who I have had the pleasure of coaching are Nika Matulska and Thomas Walsh, who I began training with when they were four-years-old.
We started from zero. Thomas trained with me until he was fourteen — he reached the top 20 in the U.S. for his age group and won several L3 and L4 tournaments. His mom made a smart decision — to think not just about tennis, but about his future and college.
Nika played in the U.S. Nationals
under 12 and under 14, and she’s also in the top 20 now. I’m really proud of both of them. They’ve gone from their first steps on court to serious matches. For me, it’s not just about results — it’s proof that consistency and belief in a child truly pay off.
And perhaps the most consistent trend I have seen in my years coaching is the importance of the student’s family in a player’s development. Right after the coach — it’s the most important thing. Both emotionally and financially. Tennis isn’t cheap, but without parental support, it doesn’t work.
Sometimes parents want their child to become a champion right away. I tell them — let the kid try. The key is to keep their interest alive. Encourage them, praise them, give them time.
My favorite part of coaching is seeing the beginners step onto the court confidently, and watch them grow as tennis players and people. I have learned that discipline, hard work and honesty are the pillars of any good coach-player relationship. That’s why I’m here, and that’s what keeps me motivated.
Pavlo Bednarzh is the Director of QuickStart Programs at MatchPoint NYC. A native of Ukraine, Bednarzh was nominated for his country’s Master of Sport award, given to top coaches and experts in their respective sport, and has been coaching junior tennis players for 30 years.
Five Honored at Annual Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
USTA
Eastern and the Junior Tennis Foundation (JTF) welcomed in five new members to the Hall of Fame at the 38th Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the River Club of New York in Manhattan.
"We had such a broad range of accomplishments among our inductees, and most could have been inducted for multiple reasons," said Mark McIntyre, Junior Tennis Foundation's Executive Director. "Art, for example, for his time as national champion but also as a tennis historian; Jill as a top player but also as a renowned international agent; Carol as a coach and a player; both Jeff’s were top Eastern juniors and went on to help others in the game.
Jeffrey Appel
Jeffrey Appel was born and raised in the tennis hotbed of Great Neck, New York. He earned numerous junior rankings in the Eastern Section, beginning with the 12-andunder division. During high school, Jeff was a four-year starter on the renowned Great Neck North team, which included six nationally ranked players two years his senior. In his senior year, he led the team as the #2 singles player. Jeff graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985 and went on to build a
prominent career on Wall Street.
Over the past 20 years, Jeff has chaired and co-chaired numerous charity tennis events, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes and raising millions of dollars. He has taken great pleasure in uniting his extensive network of tennis-playing financiers to make the sport more accessible to youth from all backgrounds. For the past 12 years, Jeff’s contributions to tennis have been spotlighted through his role as Chair of the USTA Foundation’s Annual Pro-Am at the US Open. He has mentored and assisted well over 120 former professional and collegiate tennis players in transitioning from champions on the court to leaders in the professional world. Though he relocated to Boca Raton a few years ago, Jeff remains affectionately known in the tennis community as “the Mayor of New York Tennis”.
Art Carrington
Arthur Carrington Jr. was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He graduated from Hampton University, where he played #1 on the tennis team for four years, becoming a three-time conference champion. As a freshman in 1966, he was a finalist in the NCAA Eastern Intercollegiate Championship Freshman
Photo credit: Christine Ashburn & Ed Goldman
Division and also competed in the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills. That same year, he was the NCAA Regional Doubles Champion and, in 1968, the NCAA Regional Singles Champion. He was a finalist at the ATA National Championships in 1972 and won the title in 1973. Art also claimed the New York State Doubles Championship and had the honor of competing against players like Vitas Gerulaitis, reaching the semifinals of the Eastern Indoor Championships.
From 1969 to 1984, Art coached tennis in Central New Jersey before relocating to Massachusetts in 1984, where he had been running summer camps since 1980. He has since been coaching full-time in Amherst at Hampshire College, home to the Arthur Carrington Tennis Academy. Together with the college, Art has built four indoor and ten outdoor courts. As an honored tennis historian, he has authored Black Tennis Archival Collection, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of Black athletes to the sport. Over the decades, he has coached hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to play Division I college tennis, while others have embraced tennis as a lifelong passion. Art's life’s work is rooted in community tennis development—using the game not only to teach healthy recreation but as a powerful tool to educate, inspire, and prepare young people for life.
Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller, a Scotch Plains, NJ, native, possesses an extensive playing and coaching background. As an Eastern junior player, he was ranked top-10 nationally in each age division. Not only did he win the Orange Bowl International Championship and Canadian Nationals, but also maintains the record for youngest player to win the New Jersey State Men’s Championship at 14 years old. Jeff was a member of the United States Junior Davis Cup Team and competed internationally with the United States Maccabiah Team, playing doubles alongside Hall-ofFamer Rick Meyer. Jeff went on to play collegiately at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he competed in the NCAA tournament and won the Big Ten Championships.
Jeff has been the owner of Little Silver Tennis Club (LSTC) in Monmouth County, NJ since 1992. At LSTC, he oversees the skill and competitive developments of children and adults; many of his former students have achieved high sectional and national rankings, going on to play college tennis at some of the top universities in the United States. Prior to his time at LSTC, Jeff founded the Jeff Miller Tennis Camp in 1986, an intense, sleep-away program during the summer, which grew to four locations in the New York City area.
Jill Smoller
Jill Smoller is a senior partner at WME Sports, where she continues to represent some of the most influential figures in sports and entertainment. Her client roster includes Allyson Felix, Joel Embiid, Sabrina Ionescu, Sydney McLaughlinLevrone, Frances Tiafoe, PK Subban, Andy Roddick, Bella Hadid, Emma Grede, and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. Smoller is best known for her more than 20-year partnership with Serena Williams, playing a key role in shaping Williams’ business off the court through landmark brand deals with Nike, Gatorade, Gucci, Michelob ULTRA, Lincoln, Audemars Piguet, and others.
A pioneering female sports agent, Smoller began her career as a professional tennis player before joining ICM in 1996 via the mailroom. She transitioned to the William Morris Agency in 2000 and has remained a core figure through its evolution into WME Group. Smoller has been recognized on Sports Business Journal’s Women in Sports Business Game Changers list, Adweek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports list, and most recently, Forbes’ 50 Over 50 in Lifestyle for her continued influence.
Carol Watson
Carol Watson is a former WTA professional who competed in Grand Slam qualifying events and earned a spot in the US Open main draw doubles alongside partner Sandy Collins. With a career-high singles ranking of No. 179 and doubles ranking of No. 139, she transitioned from competing at the highest level to shaping the next generation of players.
For over 30 years, Carol has dedicated herself to coaching, making history as the first African American National Coach for USTA Player Development Program, where she mentored top junior talent for two decades. She also served as Director of Programs at Alley Pond Tennis Center in New York and played a key role as a USTA Women’s Satellite Tournament Director. A respected leader in the sport, she holds elite coaching certifications from the USTA, USPTA, PTR, and PPR.
Proceeds from the induction ceremony benefit the JTF, which provides grants and financial assistance to tennis programs and organizations that focus on underserved and at-risk youth and people with disabilities. Since its incorporation in 1982, JTF has provided over $2 million for programs and scholarships in the Eastern Section.
The Physics of Power How Angular Momentum Shapes the Tennis Forehand
By Chris Lewit
Whenyou swing a knife or a sword, you may not be thinking about physics — but physics is definitely at play. The difference in how fast they move, how much force they deliver, and how they feel in your hand all comes down to principles like angular momentum and angular velocity. Interestingly, these same concepts help explain the evolution of the modern tennis forehand, particularly in how players wield lightweight, stiff racquets to produce explosive power.
Let’s dive into the science of rotational motion and then explore how it connects directly to your game on the court.
Angular Velocity, Radius, and Tip Speed
When you swing any object around a fixed point — your shoulder, elbow, or wrist, for example — you generate angular velocity. This is how fast the object is rotating. The linear speed at the tip (how fast the end moves through space) depends on how far that tip is from the axis of rotation.
Linear Velocity at Tip = Angular Velocity (�) × Radius (r)
This means that a longer sword or racquet (greater r) will have a fastermoving tip at the same angular velocity. That’s why longer weapons or tools can generate more cutting or striking force — if you can accelerate them.
Momentum, Mass, and Force
Next, consider momentum — the product of mass and velocity:
Momentum = Mass × Velocity
A knife is easier to swing quickly, but it doesn’t have much mass, and its shorter length limits its tip velocity. A sword is heavier and longer, which means it may be harder to accelerate, but once it’s moving, it hits much
harder.
The angular momentum of a swinging object is:
Angular
Momentum (L) = Moment of Inertia (I) × Angular Velocity
Since longer and heavier objects have higher moments of inertia, they store more angular momentum and deliver more powerful impacts — but they are also harder to swing quickly.
Weapon Comparison Chart
Easier to accelerate
Knife — Yes
Sword — No
Reaches the target fast
Knife — Yes
Sword—Maybe (depends on swing)
Tip speed
Knife — Lower (shorter radius)
Sword — Higher (longer radius)
Force on impact
Knife — Lower (less mass & momentum)
Sword — Higher (more mass & momentum)
Angular momentum
Knife — Lower
Sword — Higher
Tennis Racket as a Weapon: The Sword of the Court
Swinging a tennis racket is remarkably similar to wielding a sword or knife. The human arm and shoulder act as pivot points, and the racket behaves like a lever, delivering energy to the ball via angular velocity and tip speed.
In the past, players used heavier wooden racquets, which had more mass but were difficult to swing quickly. These racquets demanded more compact arm lengths at impact and larger backswings and didn’t lend themselves easily to high angular speeds or extended lever lengths, or easily creating lag.
Modern racquets, however, are lighter and stiffer, and this has revolutionized the way players swing.
The
Rise of the Straight Arm Forehand
Because today’s racquets are lighter, players can swing them faster (higher
angular velocity) while also extending the lever — using a straighter arm. This increases the radius (r) from the shoulder or torso pivot point to the racquet tip. With both greater angular velocity and greater radius, players generate incredible tip speeds — translating into more powerful and spin-heavy shots. Importantly, players don’t need to take giant looping backswings to overcome inertia and to build high angular velocity.
Moreover, these lightweight racquets make it easier to use the lag phenomenon. The wrist can stay relaxed and “lag” behind the rest of the swing, only to accelerate through at the last second, adding whip-like acceleration to the stroke. This kind of sequencing is much harder with heavy wooden racquets due to their inertia.
From the Battlefield to the Baseline
The physics that governed ancient warriors wielding swords now
influence elite tennis players like Carlos Alcaraz or Emma Navarro. Both use compact backswings, a relaxed arm and wrist, racquet lag, a long lever, and exceptional angular velocity to generate explosive shots. Their strokes are a direct result of the physics of rotational movement — refined by years of technical evolution and better equipment.
Final Thoughts
Understanding angular momentum and its role in sports can give players and coaches a powerful perspective. Whether you’re holding a sword or a
Babolat Pure Aero, the same laws of motion govern your success.
If you’re coaching or playing, think about:
• Relaxed distal joints (elbow, forearm, wrist)
• Compact backswings
• Lever length (longer = more tip speed)
• Racquet mass (lighter = easier to accelerate)
• Timing and sequencing (lag and whip = power and spin)
Train your body like a weapon — and wield your racquet like a sword.
Chris Lewit is one of America’s leading high-performance tennis coaches and a global authority on Spanish training methods. Known as The Prodigy Maker, he has developed numerous elite juniors, including many #1 players in the nation. A former #1 at Cornell and pro tour competitor, Chris is the author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty. He studied literature at Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia and is pursuing a PhD in kinesiology.
Chris hosts The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show, runs a Vermont academy and online school, and is recognized worldwide for his technical expertise and inspiring coaching. Read more at substack.com/@chrislewit
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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS
It’s hard to believe, but it is almost that time of year. As we move deeper into winter, the holiday season is fast approaching. Don’t let it sneak up on you and Long Island Tennis Magazine has you covered.
We’ve compiled some excellent gift ideas for the tennis and pickleball lover in your life, taking a look at different types of items from accessories, bags, books and clothes, and where to find them!
CLOTHES
Love All Tennis Visor
Retro Chic. Performance Peak
The Love All Tennis Visor is the finishing touch to your perfect court look, effortlessly balancing vintage style with modern performance. Inspired by classic tennis icons of the 1970s, our visor channels timeless elegance with a contemporary twist. Lightweight, breathable, and built for movement, it’s a must-have accessory for sunny matches, long rallies, or a coffee run after your morning game.
Made from high-performance cotton twill, the visor keeps you cool and comfortable even on the hottest days. The wide brim offers UPF 50+ protection and just the right amount of structure to shield your eyes without blocking your view of the ball. The sweatband absorbs moisture while maintaining comfort during play, and the adjustable back strap ensures a secure yet gentle fit for every head shape. Like every Love All piece, the visor was designed to fit beautifully and function flawlessly, because we believe performance should never come at the expense of style.
The design reflects our brand’s signature retro aesthetic: crisp white with contrast trim in Love All’s signature red. The embroidered Love All logo brings a playful, nostalgic touch that nods to the golden age of tennis fashion — when sport met sophistication. Whether paired with your favorite Love All dress or worn with jeans and a tee, this visor embodies our court-to-café versatility and easy, polished charm.
It’s more than an accessory; it’s a statement. A celebration of the women who love the game, live the lifestyle, and appreciate the beauty of sport. Perfect for players, spectators, and everyone who believes that loving the game starts with loving how you feel on the court.
Each visor comes in eco-friendly packaging and makes an ideal gift for any tennis lover — practical, stylish, and full of personality. Add it to your holiday list or gift it to your doubles partner as a chic reminder that the best part of the game is that we Love All. Learn more and search Love All Tennis products by visiting www.LoveAllTennis.com or contacting love@lovealltennis.com.
CLOTHES
inPhorm Holiday Collection
inPhorm NYC, renowned for its “simple elegance and classic” activewear for tennis, pickleball, and golf, introduces a striking new addition to its Holiday 2025 collection: bold and festive pattern.
Celebrate the Season in Bold, Festive Style
Welcome the holidays with their stunning new limited edition collection featuring vibrant red and black patterns designed to capture the festive spirit. This season's must-have pieces showcase bold, eyecatching prints that radiate confidence and holiday cheer, perfectly balanced with sophisticated black solid staples.
Classic Style with a Modern Twist
inPhorm’s Holiday Collection seamlessly blends celebration with versatility. The striking red and black patterns bring energy and seasonal flair to your active wardrobe, while their classic black pieces provide elegant, timeless foundations that transition effortlessly from court to social gatherings.
Mix, match, and make a statement – pair bold patterned tops with sleek black bottoms for a look that's both festive and refined, or go all-in with coordinating sets that command attention. Each piece is designed with the same performance features you expect from inPhorm NYC: moisture-wicking fabrics, flattering fits, and that perfect blend of style and function.
Whether you're on the court, at holiday gatherings, or simply embracing the season's energy, this collection ensures you look and feel your absolute best. Embrace the boldness of the holidays while maintaining the sophisticated elegance that defines your style.
Explore “inPhorm Holiday” collection that is launching in late November to see the full range of stylish and functional activewear at www.inphormnyc.com.
Thrive Societe Off the Shoulder Textured Pullover
The Thrive Societe Off the Shoulder Textured Pullover from 40 Love Lifestyle is the perfect combination of stylish, classy and comfortable.
From the studio to the courts, this pullover is made in a new textured stripe terry and pairs perfectly with the Rib Inset Textured Short for an outfit that will be the envy of the country club.
Made from 76 percent cotton, 23 percent polyester and 1 percent spandex, the Off the Shoulder Textured Pullover is one of many stylish offerings from 40 Love Lifestyle, located at 439 Pandome Road in Manhasset, this holiday season.
Check out this, and all of its offerings, from tennis, pickleball and padel outfits, to accessories and bags, by visiting 40LoveLifestyle.com, calling (516) 570-0781 or e-mailing info@40LoveLifestyle.com.
BAGS
Pickleball Bag/Travel Bag from SassyLi
• Hold up to 6 paddles
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Built in cell phone, key storage
• Side water bottle holder
• Machine washable
The Pickleball Bag/Travel Bag from SassyLi is a machine washable, large compartments, Removable pouch padded, Crossbody strap, cell phone pocket, water bottle holder.
This bag is large enough to carry six pickleball paddles, and is made of a special light weight and durable material, and comes in fuschia and black colors.
The main compartment offers more than enough space for pickleballs, golf shoes, tennis shoes, etc as well as built-in pockets for keys, cell phones, and the side water bottle holder.
The adjustable strap allows you to wear the bag tight or loose.
Sassy Li has a Holiday Sale going on, and not only this bag, but all bags, are $50 for the entire month of December. Visit SassyLI.com, or contact Lisafuchs559@gmail.com or (888) 808-3664 to see more!
BOOKS
The Secrets of Spanish Tennis 2.0 By Chris Lewit
The much anticipated follow-up to Chris The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, is now here and available on Amazon.
The Secrets of Spanish 2.0 is a comprehensive update to Lewit’s initial release 10 years ago, featuring 45 Spanish tennis drills with detailed explanations that are supplemented by videos on Lewit’s YouTube channel (YouTube.com/chrislewit).
The book features forewords by legendary Spanish coaches Emilio Sanchez and Luis Bruguera, and this edition also includes a new chapter on Toni Nadal and other famous Spanish tennis coaches, a new chapter on the rise of Carlos Alcaraz, and an updated chapter detailing the top Spanish academies.
“Spain has dominated the world rankings on the ATP tour for many decades, a phenomenal accomplishment for such a small country,” says Lewit. “Spain is now positioned as the leading destination in the world for serious tennis players looking to train for the elite junior and professional tours.”
Over the course of 20 years and dozens of study trips, Lewit visited the leading Spanish academies and studied and interviewed some of the most legendary coaches in Spain to discern and distill their unique and
special training methodology. Now you can learn the Spanish way of training and use it to make yourself, your kids, or your students better!
Chris Lewit is a former #1 for Cornell and pro circuit player, best-selling author, educator, and one of the top junior coaches in the United States. He is a contributing editor for TennisPlayer magazine, Long Island Tennis Magazine, New York Tennis Magazine and the author of The Tennis Technique Bible. Born and raised in New York City, he now splits his time between New York City and Manchester, Vermont. He develops players in the NYC area and also at his high performance tennis training center in Manchester, Vermont.
The book is available in paperback on Amazon and in bookstores, and makes a great gift for the tennis fan in your life this holiday season!
Game Set Life: A Conversation on Character, Grit and The Power of Sports By Jay Harris and Michael Kathrein
The newly published book Game Set Life: A Conversation on Character, Grit, and the Power of Sports gets at the heart of how we can use sports, and tennis specifically, to do just that. Written by two long-time coaches and fathers, Jay Harris and Michael Kathrein, this book is a powerful conversation about the education
embedded within athletics. Through real stories, honest reflections, and meaningful insights, you’ll discover how to use sports as a vehicle for developing character, leadership, and a strong athlete mindset.
Whether you are a parent, coach, or mentor, you’ll walk away with the tools and perspective to help kids thrive—on and off the court. “The most important sentiment in the book is the thought that sport DOES build character,” says Harris. “We all get very wrapped up in wins and losses, and when that happens, we forget about what is actually important: the process of it all. Think of a weekend tennis tournament, where only one player finishes the weekend without losing. That means all of the other players lost at least one match. With that set up, we better all stay focused on the process, otherwise there are going to be a ton of very unhappy parents, coaches and players.”
Within the book you’ll learn how to:
• Develop character and emotional resilience in young athletes
• Help kids build a personal growth mindset and mental toughness
• Support athlete development for teens without burnout or pressure
• Shift the focus from performance to purpose—and connection
• Recognize the life lessons sports are always teaching
This book makes the ideal gift, whether you are a player, coach or parent, was the number one sports psychology book on Amazon in its first week release. The book is now available on Amazon, and many other bookstores, and makes a great stocking stuffer.
A Look at the Mental Side of Tennis
Sometimes,as a tennis player, you exist on an island. Alone, solo, under the lights of your local club or drenched in the sun, there you are … between the lines, either gaining the accolades of glory hitting the winning shot or facing the weight of a loss. There are no teammates to pass to; no backup in case you’re having a bad game. It’s you who must deal with the adversity and it’s what makes the mental side of tennis so important.
Mental toughness is what gives players a competitive leg up over the opposition. Training one’s mind to deal with nerves, anxiety and quickly move onward past mistakes can be the difference between victory and defeat.
New York Tennis Magazine was fortunate enough to sit down and chat with two experts in the field of sports psychology to pick their brains and gain insight into their role as one of the most vital members of a tennis player’s support staff.
Dr. Tom Ferraro is a sport psychologist with a Ph.D. from SUNY Stony Brook, with more than 25 years of experience working with professional teams, coaches and Olympic athletes across a broad range of sports. Dr. Ferraro is a board-certified psychoanalyst, which allows him to properly diagnose and treat the symptoms an athlete may bring to him and help them understand any underlying reasons for self-defeat. He has been published internationally and has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, and is a regular contributor to this publication.
Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is a recognized thought leader and author of four best selling books: Tennis Inside the Zone, Pickleball Inside the Zone, Golf Inside the Zone and Baseball Inside the Zone all available on amazon. He can be reached at rapman50@gmail.com or 973-723-0314.
NYTM: Amanada Anisimova has returned to the tour after taking a mental health break, and is now enjoying the most success of her career. Naomi Osaka did the same and is back in form. Why is taking a brief step back from Tennis sometimes beneficial for athletes?
Ferraro: In today's hyper competitive world, the athlete is often overworked, overplayed and over stressed. We call this burnout. Therefore in order to maintain mental and physical health, it is wise to take breaks, do other things and ‘rest and recover.’
Polishook: The self-imposed break enabled both players to step-back, re-center and recognize they are more than just an athlete, rather a Whole Human Athlete. By letting go, they were able to rediscover the joy of playing. What’s important to note is that they didn’t take a break with the intention to come back, rather they took the break and then from a newfound place of calm and settle they decided to come back. Other great Grand Slam winners that have done the same thing in their careers are Andre Agassi and Ash Barty.
NYTM: If you're prone to mentally getting down on yourself when you're behind in a match, what are some mental practices a player can do to improve their mindset on the court?
Ferraro: It is common for players, especially players who are perfectionists, to fall into a brief temporary depressive state. Many perfectionists believe they are not allowed to make mistakes and their ego becomes shattered and crushed when they show any flaws. A good tip is to take a deep breath and say to yourself, “hang in there, we are all allowed to make mistakes.” Furthermore, it is crucial to understand your perfectionistic traits and where they come from. Without this understanding, which is offered through indepth discussions, the player will be prone to these states of despair throughout their career.
NYTM: Tennis being an individual sport comes with added pressure. What is some basic advice you have for those players who have difficulty handling the anxiety of an upcoming match or battling through the big points during a match?
Polishook: It’s important to understand that the nerves, anxiety, and tension are a result of focusing on what a player cannot control. Things such as the outcome, what others will think, expectations, the future, the opponent, line calls, and the list goes on and on. Players need to let go of the “win” and focus on the W.I.N: What’s Important Now.
NYTM: What are some possible warning signs of burnout that parents and coaches can look for in their players before it becomes too late?
Ferraro: Burnout is produced by overwork and it has three phases. Phase one is indicated with flat performance. Phase two is seen with an increase of colds, sore throats and minor illnesses as the immune system weakens; phase three happens
with injuries sometimes which can be career ending.
NYTM: What advice would you give a parent who is struggling with how to communicate with their son/daughter about their tennis?
Polishook: The parent might want to let go of tennis for a while and ask themselves this question: “What does my son or daughter need from me that has nothing to do with tennis?” This can open the line of communication, and as a result foster better dialogue both on and off the court.
NYTM: How do you teach someone to focus on the present point rather than dwell on past points, whether they won or lost the previous point?
Ferraro: Focusing on the past is caused by a weak selfimage and lack of belief triggered by mistakes. One must develop greater self esteem by discussing this with a coach or a sport psychologist. And equally troublesome is being ahead in a match and failing to close out the match because one is dwelling on winning the point rather than playing the point. Write the phrase “Play the point” on a piece of paper, memorize this and say it to yourself during big points.
NYTM: How would you advise someone who is playing a match against a “weaker” opponent?
On the inverse, how would you advise if they are playing against a “stronger” opponent?
Ferraro: Social matching occurs in tennis which means one plays to the level of one's opponent. If the opponent is weak, the player will unconsciously play weakly. To combat this tendency, do your best to ignore the weak opponent, do not take pity on them and focus on moving them around the court. If they are stronger opponents, you need to ignore them and ignore their mannerisms and their style of play. As in the above example, you need to execute your game plan which will often consist of controlling points. One could see this effort made by both Sinner and Alcarez in the way they played in the U.S. Open final. They both made valiant efforts to control each point they played.
NYTM: What would you advise a player with anger issues during matches? How can they learn to keep control of their emotions better?
Polishook: Anger issues are a consequence of something else. They just don’t arise, there is a reason behind them. Therefore, I would help a player understand what exactly is making them angry. For example, If the answer is losing then it’s important to understand what losing means to this player and how even great players lose games, sets and matches. But what those players do when that happens is focus on what needs improvement. The Alcaraz vs.Sinner rivalry is a great example of this. Each match, they identify what the other did well, how they improved and the state of their individual game. Then they look to improve. Failure is not final, but rather a steppingstone to improvement.
AsUSTA Eastern’s College Showcase Returns
junior tennis players get older and begin to look towards the next chapter in their careers, the college recruitment process is one of the biggest hurdles placed in front of them. For both the players and their parents, navigating the waters in finding the right collegiate fit can be difficult.
The same applies to college coaches; searching for players to represent their program both on the court and in the classroom can be a daunting endeavor.
To help ease that process and bridge the gap, USTA Eastern has been integral. For the last four decades, the organization has operated its annual College Showcase, which connects players, parents and coaches for a day featuring on-court match play, clinics run by college coaches, lectures from experts and more.
The one-of-a-kind event returns on Sunday, November 9 at the Genesis Health Club at Saw Mill in Mount Kisco.
“We are excited and thrilled to hold this event every year. One of the greatest joys of my role at Eastern is watching the Showcase in action,” said Julie Bliss-Beal, Managing Director, Strategy & Competition for USTA Eastern. “I love seeing juniors
develop connections with potential future coaches. Many times a student will have not even heard of a particular school and then walk away from our event adding it to the top of the list. That’s always one of our main goals: facilitating introductions.”
The Showcase runs all morning and afternoon includes an array of different activities for both players and coaches to take part in. A couple of years ago, the Showcase added clinics for high school freshmen and sophomores where top collegiate coaches guided them through a variety of singles and doubles drills that mimic a typical practice a college tennis team will go through.
For juniors and seniors, singles and doubles match play is spread out across the courts players took part in match play as coaches rotate around
the courts and observe. This allowed players to demonstrate how they play against different types of competition, while coaches were able to see how these players handle pressure moments and match scenarios.
Kyanna Singh, who attended the Showcase as a player and attended last year as a coach representing the University of Rochester where she is now an Assistant Coach for both the Men’s and Women’s tennis teams.
“The Showcase was extremely helpful to me when I was an aspiring college player, it allowed me to demonstrate my skills in front of college coaches and gave me the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with these coaches,” Singh said last year. “The exposure helped me to understand how to start having conversations with coaches and it helped me navigate the
recruiting process. Being on the other side at this year’s Showcase was truly a full-circle experience. I understood how critical it was for the players to make a strong impression on and off the court. As a coach, I was looking for players that not only had great skill on the court, but also had a great attitude to help them succeed at the collegiate level.”
There are many aspects of the college process that go beyond how fast someone serves or how aggressive they are from the baseline, and this is where the Showcase is so imperative for high school-aged players.
Stephanie Marcharet, a senior at Syosset High School, is one of the top players in her age group, and she attended the Showcase. Marcharet knew what she wanted to do to impress the coaches during her junior season, but also gained knowledge on things such as how to connect with coaches throughout the year.
“The showcase had great lectures that explained a lot of the recruitment platforms coaches use to look at players. What was also incredibly helpful was the talk that discussed the college essay. Before that, I was unfamiliar with what I’d do when I finally come to write it since I didn’t know much about the essay,” said Marcharet. “On court I was thinking of practicing the discipline to perform
under pressure, from the pressure of coaches and other people watching. When I was interacting with coaches, I was interested to learn not only about the different schools but also how to converse and relate with different types of coaches.”
The coaches come from local schools and others across the country, and range from Division I, Division II and Division III programs, creating an all-encompassing event that not only benefits the players that are destined to go to the top tennis programs in the country, but also those who are looking for the perfect balance of tennis and academics, and ones that fit their individual needs.
“As soon as the Showcase ends, we start thinking about how we can elevate the next one. We really value the feedback we receive through our
post-event surveys, and we will definitely integrate what we learn from those into the planning for 2026,” said Bliss-Beal. “We always like to bring current collegiate and former Eastern players to the event to speak about their own experiences with attendees. That ended up not being a part of the schedule this year, but it is always something we try to include. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. A lot of coaches very much value the opportunity to meet so many strong players in person in one location, and I personally heard from multiple parents who were really thankful we were able to share so many great resources at the event. College athletics and recruitment can feel overwhelming, and it’s ever-evolving. People are grateful that we can help them as they begin their journey.”
literary corner
Game Set Life: A Conversation on Character, Grit, and the Power of Sports
By Jay Harris & Michael Kathrein
This book is available to buy on
Amazon
Wewant the best for those that come after us, and the importance for the next generation to succeed shouldn’t be taken lightly. And as we have found throughout the years, sports can be one of the greatest teachers we have to help guide young people.
The newly published book Game Set Life: A Conversation on Character, Grit, and the Power of Sports gets at the heart of how we can use sports, and tennis specifically, to do just that. Written by two long-time coaches and fathers, Jay Harris and Michael Kathrein, this book is a powerful conversation about the education embedded within athletics. Through real stories, honest reflections, and meaningful insights, you'll discover how to use sports as a vehicle for developing character, leadership, and a strong athlete mindset.
Whether you're a parent, coach, or mentor, you'll walk away with the tools and perspective to help kids thrive—on and off the court.
“The most important sentiment in the book is the thought that sport DOES build character,” says Harris. “We all get very wrapped up in wins and losses, and when that happens, we forget about what is actually important: the process of it all. Think of a weekend tennis tournament, where only one player finishes the weekend without losing. That means all of the other players lost at least one match. With that set up, we better all stay focused on the process, otherwise there are going to be a ton of very unhappy parents, coaches and players.”
Within the book you’ll learn how to:
• Develop character and emotional resilience in young athletes
• Help kids build a personal growth mindset and mental toughness
• Support athlete development for teens without burnout or pressure
• Shift the focus from performance to purpose—and connection
• Recognize the life lessons sports are always teaching
The concept of the book began nearly two decades ago, when childhood friends Harris and Kathrein were discussing their coaching professions, and how they can share all that they have learned in a concise way that would help parents and other coaches alike.
“I actually began creating the outline over 15 years ago. At the time, I was doing a lot of motivational speaking, and those talks were seemingly wellreceived,” Harris recalls. “Then about five years ago, after having extensive and interesting conversations with Michael about the issues we
experienced through our coaching, the efforts sort of melded together, and we collaboratively wrote the book over a three-year span. The goal quickly became to produce a series of shared experiences to help parents, coaches and players navigate through the process of allowing sport to build character and grit.”
While the two shared a common goal in putting the book together, actually doing so proved to be a challenging task. Harris and Kathrein don’t live near each other anymore, so instead of getting together in person to hash out ideas, they did so digitally.
“We actually wrote the entire book on a live Google doc where each of us took turns writing in whatever chapter we felt inspired to add to, and we kept track of whose turn it was by adding either tennis ball emojis (which I did), or basketball emojis (which Mike did) to signify which chapters were ready to be added to for each of us. We then spoke on the phone at least once a week to discuss where each of the chapters were headed. This was a unique method, but I think it worked brilliantly.”
The method to their madness did prove to be a successful one, and earlier this summer, Game Set Life was published. One week after its publication, it was the No. 1 rated new release sports psychology book on Amazon.
It was the result of a lot of work, and years spent analyzing how sports can be a benefit to us all, especially away from the playing surfaces. If you're looking for a sports book for kids, a playbook for coaching leadership, or a guide to character development through athletics—Game Set Life is for you. The book is now available on Amazon, and many other book stores.
11th Annual JMTP Pro-Am at SPORTIME Amagansett Raises Nearly Half A Million Dollars
Oneof the highlights of the summer here on Long Island is the annual Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) Pro-Am, the popular summer fundraiser held at SPORTIME Amagansett. For the 11th consecutive year, the event brought together tennis legends and amateur athletes to compete oncourt to raise more than $500,000 for the JMTP, which removes economic, racial, and social barriers to success through tennis by providing access to the sport.
Since its founding in 2012, JMTP has introduced the sport of tennis to over 16,000 New York City youngsters, many from underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods with the help of events like the Pro-Am, which is the organization’s largest fundraising endeavor.
Haas and Milos Raonic participated. Professional and amateur athletes competed across eight dynamic flights: one Legends Flight, six Advancing Flights, and one NonAdvancing Flight.
In addition to viewing spirited pro-am competition featuring tennis legends, non-playing guests can enjoy food and drink throughout the day, bid on exclusive items and experiences via a curated silent auction, and participate in a live auction offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, all in support of a powerful cause.
“Each summer, we look forward to hosting the JMTP Pro Am at Sportime Amagansett,” said Claude Okin, President and CEO of SPORTIME Clubs. “This event has grown tremendously over the past decade, and we are incredibly proud of SPORTIME’s essential partnership with
the Johnny Mac Tennis Project toward our shared mission of providing opportunities to kids across NYC through tennis. The Pro Am brings together our members, the broader community, and tennis legends in support of something that really matters. We are honored to play a role in making it all happen.”
The players who competed included John and Patrick McEnroe, as well as other tennis legends like Marion Bartoli, James Blake, Bob & Mike Bryan, Mats Wilander, Mary Joe Fernandez, Tommy
“The Pro-Am is JMTP’s signature fundraising event,” said Ryann Cutillo, JMTP Executive Director. “It raises critical funding, allowing us to deliver our free year-round tennis, educational and life skills programming to more and more New York City youth who otherwise would not have access to the sport. Beyond fundraising, the event plays a vital role in raising awareness about our mission by bringing together supporters who also believe in the power of tennis as a vehicle for life change.”
Credit Photos to Heritage House
adult league wrap-up
By Ainslie Ellis
Our fall leagues are in full swing, including Manhattan Mixed Doubles, 3.5/4.0/4.5 Tri-Level, and several non-advancing leagues. We wish success and fun on the courts to all of the Metro teams!
As always, many thanks to the captains who work tirelessly to keep our leagues running smoothly.
Despite the change in season and the transition to indoor play, several of our Spring/Summer league teams have been participating in the postseason.
18 & Over 4.5 Manhattan Men captained by Todd Mekles and Serge Verdoux - Sectional Champions
18 & Over 4.5 Manhattan Women captained by Courtney Sokol and Parul SangwanSectional Champions
18 & Over 3.0 Men captained by Day Yundan and Erli Perez - Sectional Champions
18 & Over 4.0 Manhattan Men captained by Ahmad Amin - Sectional Champions
18 & Over 3.5 Manhattan Men captained by Yuji Okumura and David AlfonsoSectional Runner-ups
Congratulations to the following teams on their success and for representing Eastern at the National Championship tournaments:
l 18 & Over 3.0 Men captained by Day Yundan and Erli Perez - Sectional Champions
They will be representing Eastern at the National Championships in Scottsdale, AZ.
l 18 & Over 4.0 Manhattan Men captained by Ahmad Amin - Sectional Champions
The team participated in the National Championships in San Diego, CA, and finished 2nd out of a field of 17, narrowly missing the championship by one court. Congratulations!
l 18 & Over 4.5 Manhattan Men captained by Todd Mekles and Serge VerdouxSectional Champions
The team traveled to Surprise, AZ and achieved a strong fourth-place finish amid a very deep field.
l 18 & Over 4.5 Manhattan Women captained by Courtney Sokol and Parul SangwanSectional Champions
They also represented Eastern in Surprise, AZ, capping off a wonderful season with an 8th place finish.
Congratulations to the following teams that took second place at the Sectional Championships:
l 18 & Over 3.5 Manhattan Men captained by Yuji Okumura
and David AlfonsoSectional Runner-ups
l 40 & Over 4.0 Manhattan Men captained by Daniel Bindler - Sectional Runnerups
l 40 & Over 7.0 Metro Mixed Doubles captained by Hazel Zaldivar - Sectional Runnerups
Be on the lookout for our winter league registration in the weeks ahead. Leagues include 40 & Over Adults, 3.0/3.5/4.0 Tri-Level, and 18 & Over Queens Mixed Doubles. As always, if you have any questions about league play in Metro or are interested in getting involved, contact Ainslie Ellis at ellis@eastern.usta.com.
40 & Over 4.0 Manhattan Men captained by Daniel Bindler - Sectional Runner-ups
40 & Over 7.0 Metro Mixed Doubles captained by Hazel Zaldivar - Sectional Runnerups
Whenwe think of weapons in tennis, we often picture big serves or explosive forehands. But at every level of the game, the ability to disguise your shot, especially on the backhand side, can completely shift the momentum of a point.
Two of the most effective tools to add to your arsenal are the backhand slice and the drop shot. While they have different outcomes, they share the same preparation. With an identical setup and just a slight change at the point of contact, you can make your opponent guess and hesitate. Within our NTC Junior Programs, adding the foundation of these shots is emphasized in our approach to teaching all-court tennis. Our NTC Adult Programs even offer a specific class to focus on this called the Stroke Series.
The Backhand Slice
Start with a continental grip and raise your racket high above shoulder level, with a full shoulder turn to your backhand side.
The motion should be high to medium, making contact with the tip of the racket at a 45° angle, guiding the swing in a diagonal downward path as you extend forward. This creates underspin, keeping the ball low and skidding through the court.
Keep your wrist firm. If the racket head drops, the ball may fall into the net or float due to an overly open face.
To make your slice more aggressive, focus on “staying on the back of the
Backhand Slice & Drop Shot Using Disguise as a Weapon
By Danny Ahn
ball” without letting the racket face open too much near contact. Lead with your feet to drive the ball deep and apply pressure.
Remember, a slice is not just a defensive shot. A strong, purposeful slice can elicit a weaker reply and help set up an approach to the net.
The Drop Shot
Just like the slice, the drop shot begins with the same grip, stance, and takeback — that’s where the disguise lies.
The difference is in the final touch. Instead of swinging through like a slice, slightly open the racket face and cup underneath the ball, using soft hands to absorb the pace.
Avoid exaggerating—opening the racket face too much or swinging too hard can result in a floating shot that your opponent can easily attack.
The drop shot is all about feel. Play around with racket angle and grip pressure to develop a soft, controlled touch that clears the net and dies short.
It’s most effective when you’re inside the baseline and in an offensive position while transferring your momentum forward. Attempting it
from too far back is high risk, low reward.
The Real Weapon: Disguise
The real magic comes when you combine the slice and drop shot using the same setup. Most players read shots based on body language, but when these two shots look identical until the last moment, your opponent will be frozen, forced to guess. Having an effective slice backhand and drop shot in your arsenal can be a huge weapon, as both shots have the exact same take back, but at the last second, the execution is slightly different. In fact, Roger Federer credits his expanded use of the dropshot as the reason for his 2009 Madrid win, where he ended Nadal’s 33-match clay court winning streak, and French Open titles. This gives a great disguise and will throw your opponent off, as they will be guessing what shot to expect from your backhand wing. Most players tend to use these two shots out of desperation, but using them offensively, on your terms, will open up a lot more options and win you points easily.
Danny Ahn has been a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2023. Ahn is a PTR Professional and brings experience teaching from Junior Tennis Champion Center (JTCC) and Columbia Association in Maryland. He is a graduate of Binghamton University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs.
The ½ Life of a Hero
By Dr. Tom Ferraro
Everyera has a small group of heroes or what are called impact champions. These are the players that become household names and capture the hearts of tennis fans. Back in the 1960’s it was Arthur Ashe and Rod Laver.
The 80’s had John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors competing against the “Iceman” Bjorn Borg. In the 1990’s we saw Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi emerge as the next set of super heroes. From 2000 through 2020, we saw Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic win nearly all the Grand Slams. But as these three superstars began to fade the tennis world wondered who would come along to replace them.
Anyone who had the pleasure to witness this year’s U.S. Open was witness to the emergence of this era’s heroes. In the finals we got to see a bleached blonde Carlo Alcaraz face off against Jannik Sinner. At long last, a new set of stars.
The women’s side of tennis also goes through these changes. Back in the 1960’s we had Billie Jean King quickly followed by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Then in the 1990’s came Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. By the turn of the century, we saw the Williams sisters mesmerize the world of tennis and grab hold of Grand Slam titles.
But in case you harbor fantasies that you too would like to become the next tennis hero, let me warn you. All is not well in the world of the super hero. The current era of tennis is best characterized as pathologically stressful and anxiety laden. To sight proof of this new way in tennis you need to only observe the rise and fall of Naomi Osaka who was world number one at age 21 and had a psychological breakdown for all the world to witness.
We can now see the stress and aberrant behavior building in Carlos Alcaraz who went from a young media darling a mere two years ago, to a volatile in your face bleach-blonde screamer in this year’s Open.
I think the ½ life of today’s tennis hero has shrunk dramatically. We can see how the tennis world has morphed from a genteel game filled with etiquette and manners into a sport of angry screamers. One can understand how all this happened. The money involved means that tennis is a highstakes affair where anything goes.
As an example of the increase in purses, Arthur Ashe made a little over $1,000,000 in his pro career. Contrast this with Jannik Sinner who has already made $50,000,000. So today’s super stars make about 50 times what they once did.
And the cost of these kinds of incomes can be summed up in one way. These players will have much shorter careers than in the past. So make sure you enjoy these stars today because tomorrow it is unlikely that they will be around. Nadal won 24 majors and his career lasted 23 years. Federer won 20 majors and his lasted 24 years. I am willing to bet anyone that Alcaraz and Sinner will not come close to winning even ten majors apiece and their careers will be very brief.
And if you don’t believe me, just ask Naomi Osaka to explain.
Tennis is not the only sedate sport to be corrupted by money. The bizarre spectacle at this year’s Ryder Cup in golf is another example of the way money can contaminate players and fans alike. Vulgarities and four letter worlds were shouted back and forth between players and fans all week long. Daily ground passes cost over $1,000 a piece and the beer flowed freely. If things continue to progress as they are, get ready for heroes with short careers and athletes who have emotional breakdowns.
That is good news for sport psychologists, psychiatrists and hospitals but bad news for fans and the athletes that collapse and disappear before we can ever get to know them. And if you don’t think longevity matters take a gander at horse racing. My family has been a part of that sport for three generations and I have witnessed its slow decline. And the reason is simple enough. If you have a good three-yearold who happens to win a Triple Crown Race, you immediately put him out to stud where you make a fortune in stud fees. You do not risk injury and breakdowns by racing them. In the long run this has ruined the sport since the public never gets a chance to grow familiar with and to fall in love with the animal. Long gone are the names like Secretariat or Seattle Slew.
This is what may slowly occur in tennis as well. The big name players will make huge money for a few years and either due to injury, emotional breakdown or the realization that they have already made $100 million, they will retire young and the fan is left with the challenge of getting to know yet another young hero. I would say that the half life of the hero is now about five to seven years, and it’s all downhill from there.
Distribution scheduled for 01/01/26
This edition will feature:
• Guide to the Top Tennis Clubs/Programs
• Girls’ High School Recap
• Australian Open Preview
• Look Ahead to 2026
• And Much More!
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