NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
65
LUXURY PORTFOLIO COLLECTION
" " 8 8 8 + 8 8 8
6 Half Moon Lane, Sands Point
DEDICATION. MOTIVATION. SUCCESS.
Thoughtfully designed with mesmerizing water views and the NYC skyline
" " 8 8 8 + 8 8 8 8
15 Gatsby Lane, Kings Point Exquisite and Expansive Waterfront on the Long Island Sound
PARSA SAMII
2(/ 8 9,;/.8 ( /.5/ 8 0/* #(6);9987)(:*98 8+/*0:*;5/60/*8 5 595(/ $08 :;158#(/%; 8#,5/*(/8 0;6 Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 8 8 8 8 );:9; 1(6);99 1(6
" " 8 8 8 + 8 8 8 8
24 Middle Drive, Plandome Bespoke architectural details in the heart of Plandome NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
66
<;:9;87;6558598;82510/90.8-0;,8+9*;*087;,09)0:9(/8;'&,5;*0.8%5*$8#(6);99"8;8,510/90.8:0;,809*;*08!:( 0:8;/.8;!5.098! 8+ ;,8 ( 95/ 8 ))(:* /5* 8,;%9 8 ,,86;*0:5;,8):090/*0.8$0:05/85985/*0/.0.8'(:85/'(:6;*5(/;,8 ) :)(9098(/, 8 /'(:6;*5(/85981(6)5,0.8':(689( :1098.0060.8:0,5;!,08! *85989 ! 01*8*(80::(:9"8(65995(/9"81$;/ 0985/8):510"81(/.5*5(/"89;,0"8(:8%5*$.:;%;,8%5*$( *8/(*510 8<$(*(986; 8!08 5:* ;,, 89*; 0.8(:8.5 5*;,, 8 0/$;/10.8;/.86; 8/(*8:0 01*8;1* ;,8):()0:* 81(/.5*5(/9
SUMMEER SUMME R FULL-DA FULL-DA AY Y
Program ams m
JUNE 27TH - SEPTEMBER BER 4TH
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
1
July/August 2022 • Volume 12, Number 4
nytennis New York Tennis Magazine
Table Of Contents
MAGAZINE
Vamos Rafa!
New York Tennis Magazine
After another dominant French Open, Nadal has 22 major titles —See page 14
1228 Wantagh Avenue, Suite 203 Wantagh, NY 11793-2202 Phone: (516) 409-4444 • Fax: (516) 409-4600
Photo credit: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia
Web site: www.nytennismag.com
Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 david@usptennis.com Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 brianc@usptennis.com Joey Arendt Art Director Marie Santora-Lent Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 Marie@usptennis.com
Highlights 8
Junior Player Spotlight: Carrie-Anne Hoo, USTA BJK National Tennis Center By Brian Coleman Top Talent on Display at the Sixth Annual JMTA College Recruiting Combine Beyond the Baseline: Parsa Samii By Brian Coleman Bronx Open Returns to The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning Coaching Spotlight: Pavlo Bednarzh, MatchPoint NYC By Brian Coleman Tennis, Food and Fun! 2022 LITM Challenge Series kicks off in the Hamptons Arraya, Carter Win Inaugural Hamptons Pickleball Open 2022 New York Boys’ High School Recap Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning Hosts NYJTL Major Dinkins Cup
11 12 20 28 32 36 48 56
Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Dr. Tom Ferraro Contributing Writer Luke Jensen Contributing Writer Steve Kaplan Contributing Writer Rob Polishook Contributing Writer Barbara Wyatt Contributing Writer
Advertising To receive any information regarding advertising rates, deadlines, and requirements, call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. Article Submissions/Press Releases To submit any material, including articles and press releases, please call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. The deadline for submissions is the first of the month preceding the target issue. Subscriptions To receive subscription information, contact (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com or check out our Web site: www.nytennismag.com. Fax subscription changes to (516) 409-1600. Statements of fact and opinion in New York Tennis Magazine are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of United Sports Publications Ltd. New York Tennis Magazine reserves the right to edit, reject and/or postpone the publication of any articles, information or data.
PG 8
PG 28
PG 48
PG 56
Features 4 6 18 22 23 24 27 30 31 40 41 42 44 46 59 60 61 62 63 64
Across Metro New York Tennis as a Lifetime Sport By Tony Stefanski Top Five Things a Coach Should Not Do By Gilad Bloom The Top Ten Tennis Tip of All-Time Part Four: Patience By Dr. Tom Ferraro Tennis Bubbles: A Grand Slam Victory Over the Elements USTA Eastern Metro Region Update Adult League Wrap-Up By Christopher Dong Metro Corporate League Recap presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs JMTP Pro-Am Returns to the Hamptons The Jensen Zone: Always Be…Learning By Luke Jensen Har-Tru Becomes Official Playing Surface of the Citi Open in 2022 The Myth of Over-Trying: Don’t Do It By Rob Polishook Necesito El Ritmo By Chris Lewit Lean on Me: Part One By Mike Barrell Champions Crowned at USTA Eastern Junior Team Tennis Sectionals Develop Your Player’s Tennis Brain By Cinto Casanova New York’s Mitchel Leads Oneonta to Title in Final Season Two Words By Barbara Wyatt Cross-Eye Dominance And Roger Federer’s Head Tilt By Steve Kaplan Court Six By Emilie Katz New York Tennis Magazine is published bi-monthly by United Sports Publications Ltd. • Copyright © 2022 United Sports Publications Ltd.
Get in the game! At Advantage Tennis Clubs. We’re here to welcome you back—beginner, experienced player or tournament competitor! Get on the courts at three convenient locations, with top facilities and friendly people. All Advantage Tennis Clubs offer: Private and group lessons • Game arranging • Tennis programs & clinics • Leagues • QuickStart for ages 4 & up • Junior program • And more!
Choose from 3 fantastic locations.
Manhattan Plaza Racquet and Health Club
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
New York Tennis Club
5 cushioned hard indoor courts
12 Har-Tru indoor courts
6 Har-Tru indoor/outdoor courts 6 Har-Tru indoor/outdoor courts
450 West 43rd St., New York, NY
281 Main St., Roosevelt Island, NY
3081 Harding Ave., Throgs Neck, NY
Contact Lauren Hartman lhartman@advantagetennisclubs.com
Contact Pam Glick: 212.935.0250, pglick@advantagetennisclubs.com
Contact Mark Keye: 718.239.7919 markkeye@advantagetennisclubs.com
Find out more today—then choose your Advantage club! advantagetennisclubs.com NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
3
Across Metro Ne N Bounds Captures L6 Title
RSTA Visits Brazil Members of the Ross School Tennis Academy took a trip down to Brazil to train with legendary coaches Gustavo Kuerten and Larri Passos. Vinicius Carmo, a native of Brazil and the Director of Tennis at RSTA, helps organize the trips, and RSTA will reciprocate the visit by welcoming Passos and players from Brazil to East Hampton this summer.
New York City native Wyatt Bounds captured the title at the L6 Hempstead Lake Red Clay Junior Challenger. Bounds, who trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, traveled out to Long Island and won the championship match in straight sets after holding on for a tight three-set victory in the semifinals.
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED Play tennis year round under a Farley bubble. The Farley Group is the world leader in air-supported structures and has provided over 20 tennis bubbles in New York and Long Island. Contact us today to learn about how you can turn your outdoor courts into a year round facility.
www.thefarleygroup.com l info@thefarleygroup.com
1-888-445-3223
4
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
New York
… News and notes from across the N.Y. Metro tennis community Markov Wins Caesar Salad Classic
Matssura Reaches Discovery Open Finals Kyle Matssura, who plays his tennis at CourtSense Tennis Training Center, advanced all the way to the final round of the L6 Discovery Junior Tennis Open event in the Boys 12s Singles division.
MatchPoint NYC’s Milana Markov won the Girls 14s Singles division at the LBTC Caesar Salad Classic, without dropping a set in the tournament.
Middleton Wins Boys 14s Title
Centercourt Tennis Academy’s Ravel Middleton took advantage of playing on his home court and was victorious in the Boys 14s Singles division at the L7 Centercourt Round Robin Tournament.
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
5
Tennis as a Lifetime Sport f you have spent any time at a tennis club recently you know the following is true: Tennis is experiencing a boom. Millions of Americans have flocked to the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic, with experts estimating that tennis participation rose by over 20 percent since 2020. As a lifelong tennis player, and now a tennis teaching professional, I’m thrilled to see the sport I love gain in popularity. But don’t assume for a second that tennis is only a pandemic sport – the great thing about tennis is that it can accompany you for life! Here are just a few of the many diverse benefits that tennis can provide throughout your lifetime.
I
Convenience From the streets of Compton, California, as depicted recently in King Richard, to your local municipal or county park, or local high school, you are bound to be just a few minutes from a free tennis court. Tennis truly has minimal boundaries to access, all that you need to enjoy some time on the court is a racquet, a couple balls and a comfortable pair of sneakers. There’s no need to pay for a league or sign up for a team, all you have to do is find a
partner and start hitting the ball. Even here in the Northeast where tennis can be viewed as an indoor sport for 6 months of the year, the reality is that the other 6-7 months there is plenty of outdoor opportunity to play tennis for free. Health benefits Besides providing the ability to spend some quality time outdoors in the fresh air, tennis has also shown to provide tangible health benefits to those who play. From lowering your resting heart rate to helping keep your blood pressure from rising, the benefits of tennis go far beyond the thrill of the win. I know countless clients who enjoy tennis not just for the competition, but for the fulfilling cardio workout that they achieve by spending time with me on the court. Rather than running on a treadmill, they much prefer to chase balls on the court which they find to be a much more stimulating way to achieve a high intensity cardiovascular exercise, all while also practicing their hand-eye coordination and having fun while doing it. Life benefits Learning and embracing tennis is an
Summer Program: July 18 to Labor Day in Riverdale Groups, Private Lessons and Tournament Travel Come train with Gilad Bloom: 27 years of High Performance coaching 13-year career on Pro Tour, including Davis Cup and Olympics Hamptons lessons on the weekends
Call 914-907-0041 or E-mail Bloom.Gilad@gmail.com www.GiladBloom.com 6
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
By Tony Stefanski
investment that reaps benefits throughout your entire life. That’s because it truly is a sport that can accompany you during every stage of life – from adolescence to retirement. This low impact sport only gets more enjoyable as the bustle of daily life takes on a new rhythm during retirement, and you can enjoy time on the court with your friends under palm trees and sunny skies. Now doesn't that sound perfect? Tennis is also a great sport that you can pass down to your kids or grandkids, offering a structure through which to enjoy quality family time outdoors while also emphasizing the benefits of an active lifestyle. Additionally, tennis offers a fantastic way to meet people, foster friendships and expand your social network. Whether you join a country club and become part of a team or meet players at your local courts, the sport is bound to help you create new and lasting friendships along the way. Not to mention, as a racquet sport, mastering tennis can help you have a leg up on your friends at other racquet sports such as pickleball or platform tennis. We should all be thankful that the latest signs indicate that the worst of the COVID pandemic may be behind us, but just because we are hopefully entering a postpandemic phase, it does not mean that your COVID-fueled embrace of tennis has to end. Keep at it, reach out to others for tips or support, because remember, tennis is a sport for life, and as we like to say at CourtSense, tennis is a great vehicle to take us through life on and off the court. Tony Stefanski is a tennis coach for CourtSense at Tenafly Racquet Club and Ardsley Country Club. His coaching experience is vast and spans over three decades transitioning between Head Tennis professional at large to indoor facilities to being the Assistant Coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Farleigh Dickinson University, amongst other positions. He can be reached at tony.s@courtsense.com.
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
7
junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spo
Junior Player
spotlight By Brian Coleman
Carrie-Anne Hoo USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center t the beginning of this year, Brooklyn native Carrie-Anne Hoo walked through the doors of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and found a sign in the front lobby which recognized her recent accomplishment. She was fresh off a successful tournament at the Level 1 National Winter Championships in Tucson, Ariz., where she partnered with Nancy Lee to win the Gold Ball and earned the Silver Ball in singles. Based on results such as this, Hoo had achieved the top-ranking in the country, rising to the number one spot in the Girls 12U division, and her home club honored that achievement with a display for everyone to see when they entered the home of the U.S. Open. “I was shocked and felt unreal that I’ve achieved the number one ranking in the country,” said Hoo. “It almost seems impossible. If you asked me a few years ago, I always thought there was someone better than me. I’ve just kept working hard and I’ve made it!” The ranking was more than just a number, it was
A
8
validation of the immense work and training that Hoo has put in over the years, with the majority of her progression taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoo began playing tennis at a young age, getting her start at a local club near her family’s Park Slope, Brooklyn home. It was around the time that QuickStart programs were growing in popularity, and she recalls playing for the first time. “I started playing with the red balls, the sponge ones, and I remember they gave me this really small racquet to hit them with,” she said. “I would also play with my dad sometimes, and that really helped improve my consistency.” Hoo shortly made the move to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the place where she continues to train to this day. “I’ve been working at the National Tennis Center pretty much my entire life. They know my game pretty well and I’m comfortable there,” said Hoo. “Since they know my game they are able to give me really
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
er spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior
specific coaching advice and focus on areas that will help my game.” Through that work and her own personal dedication to improving at tennis, Hoo’s game has catapulted her up the rankings. A lot of that work took place during the global pandemic, with club closures and lockdowns forcing many people to isolate. Hoo decided to use this time to take her tennis to the next level, finding outdoor courts near where she lived to play as much as she can. At the beginning of 2020, Hoo was ranked #4,417 in the country. Two years later, the Brooklyn middle schooler was the highest ranked player in her age group, a remarkable jump and an indication of her dedication and talent. Hoo would hit with her father as well as her older brother, and her persistent work ethic would soon pay off. A major motivating factor
for her growing up was watching her brother play in and win tournaments. “When I was watching my brother win a lot, I told myself that I didn’t want him to win all the trophies,” she said jokingly. “It definitely motivated me though because I wanted to do well or even better than he did, so he wasn’t always the one bragging.” “My dad has always helped us improve since the beginning,” Hoo added. “Whenever we had private lessons, he would come and listen to our coach. If there was something we didn’t understand or pick up on, he would help explain it to us. He is able to take that coaching and apply it when he hits with us; we continue to learn from him a lot.” Hoo’s father also gave her some sage advice on how to approach her matches which played a vital
role in both her development but also her outlook on her performances. “He always told me it’s not about the winning and losing, but about how you play,” she said. “If I play really well but lose, he’s happy and doesn’t care. When I go into a match, I try to play my best instead of only focusing on the end result. I want to win, of course, but the goal is to play better than I did previously. I’m going to play my game and try to win, and if I do that the results should be there. That’s my motivation.” That process has resulted in Hoo becoming one of the best players in the country in her age group, and has laid the foundation for her to continue growing as a player. A major point of focus in her continued on page 10
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
9
junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player
training now is establishing her serve, and improving the other aspects of her game which are already strong. “In my training at the NTC we’re working on my serve, and finding different ways to improve it,” she said. “I like to play a lot of doubles, so I’m comfortable coming to the net, which is different than a lot of players my age. I like volleying and I think I am most effective when at the net. My baseline strokes are effective and I enjoy playing from back there, but another thing I want to improve on is finishing off points earlier to avoid having to get involved in really long rallies.” Hoo is a wonderful example to young tennis players. With a passion for the sport and a willingness to practice and improve, you can accomplish great
10
things on the court. It’s important not to necessarily invest all of your mental and emotional energy into the ranking number besides your name, because as Hoo has demonstrated, that can change. “I’ve just kept working hard and I’ve made it!” she said. “My advice to other younger players is never give up, dream big, nothing is impossible. If there is a will, there is a way.” Her coaches are excited to see what lies ahead for her. “Carrie Anne Hoo has an innate ‘killer instinct" and is someone who does not get intimidated very easily,” said Jay Pinho, the Head Tennis Professional at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. “She has been part of our programs for many years, but over the past couple of years we've
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
seen her energy level and desire to compete and develop herself flourish, making her one of the most improved players in our program for the past few years, if not the most improved. Her strong foundation and willingness to train and compete will definitely take her to great heights as she continues to mature.”
Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.
Top Talent on Display at the Sixth Annual JMTA College Recruiting Combine
op high school players and college coaches from across the country gathered at Sportime Randall’s Island for the sixth annual John McEnroe Tennis Academy College Recruiting Combine. Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors, the Combine gives high school players the opportunity to compete in front of and talk with college tennis coaches. The sixth installment of the Combine featured both local and international players, and helped to bridge the gap between players and coaches in the recruiting process. “We have players from all areas coming to play here. We have kids from Singapore, Canada, China, some of the top players from those areas have come to play and it’s so fun to see how these matches have gone,” said Jay Harris, Director of Tennis at Sportime Roslyn and the JMTA College Recruiting Combine Director. “The thing these kids can showcase the most in this setting is effort, a sense of urgency, giving their all. The coaches have been noticing that.” The Combine provides all players with a personal player portal that stores event information, draws and scores, as
T
well as fitness and other testing results. One of the primary highlights of the weekend is the coaches panel that is moderated by Harris, where players and parents are able to ask direct questions to the coaches. Players also receive Sports Vision testing performed by JMTA's official sports vision provider, Dr. Anne Reuter of Gold Coast Optometric Vision Performance. Tennis Analytics recorded all matches and offer packages to Combine participants for purchase, including edited match videos with detailed analytics, and a custom video player that will allow players to quickly view matches and to share them with college coaches. Players competed against one another in match play to allow the coaches to see how they handle themselves during matches, and so they could evaluate how he or she would fit into their program. The match results also counted towards a players’ Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). “This is match play, we love seeing how they handle making tough calls,” said Stonehill head coach Lynne Smith. “When the pressure is on, will they
make the tough call, that's the type of thing that matters. I love the kids that make a mistake and then adjust and do what they need to do.” Adelphi head coach Rebecca Fakas added: “Just looking for high energy and good tennis,” said Rebecca Fakas, who coaches the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Adelphi University on Long Island. “We're a local school so we love finding kids from the area. A huge thing we look for is who is gonna fit the culture of our team and fit in well. There was a very high quality of tennis and all of these players have been impressive.” Zachary Cohen, a player at the Combine, was pleased with the way he was able to showcase mental toughness to the coaches: “I think my mental game was great today, I was down big in the second set, but I was able to fix some things I was doing wrong and I really think I played strong. I think that playing hard and showing resiliency no matter what the score is the number one thing,” he said. “I believe that’s what matters most at a combine like this.”
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
11
BEYOND THE BASELINE
BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE BASELINE
BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND
beyondthebaseline
Parsa Samii By Brian Coleman
ennis and the real estate business; on the surface, these two things don’t have anything in common. But if you look closely, the ways to be successful in both of these fields often overlap. It takes dedication, discipline and confidence, and at their cores, they both require focusing on the process rather than results. A great example of these parallels is Parsa Samii. A native of Long Island, Samii was a top junior player growing up, playing at local clubs such as Glen Head Racquet Club, Port Washington
T
12
Tennis Academy and Robbie Wagner Tournament Training Center before going on to have a successful college career at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Samii would go on to compete on the pro tour in the years following college, but he began to get bit by the injury bug, which halted the professional tennis dream. “I started to get injured quite a bit, but I was very determined to make the impossible, so to speak, happen,” he said. “I pushed myself to the limit, but my body started to fail, and continued to fail.
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
After a couple of shoulder injuries and a surgery, I stopped playing pro tennis when I was about 25-years-old.” That’s when Samii made the transition into coaching here on Long Island, something he would do for nearly two decades, coaching some of the top junior players including multiple national and international titlists. But in what was becoming all-too commonplace for Samii, he was injured again, this time hurting his elbow, leading him to make a difficult decision. “This theme kept happening, and I felt like I needed to make a transition in my life.
OND THE BASELINE
BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE BASELINE
Tennis had taken me so far, and I felt like I could use what I had learned from it and apply it to something else. I approached real estate with the same mindset I did tennis.” And now as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson for Compass, a national real estate agency, Samii has used the skills and work ethic he developed as a tennis player and coach to succeed in the real estate business, an industry that is not only competitive, it requires hustle. “A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in the office with my business partner, and at the time I didn’t think business was doing well so far this year,” Samii recalls. “But she then showed me the numbers, and I actually have been doing better this year than I did last year, and last year’s numbers had crushed previous years. In this type of job, at least for me, you grind so hard sometimes that you don’t always see the finished product. My stress level went down instantly. You do all this hustling and you don’t always know where you are going to land.” That is something he learned and developed from his years as a tennis player. It is about the process and the work you are doing, and it is important to do those things without always worrying about the end result. “Playing one point at a time is something you are taught in tennis, and I’ve adopted that mentality in my business,” he said. “Just like if a tactic were to change during a match, and you need to problem solve right there on the court, I do the same thing in business. Things change and you have to be able to think on your feet. Taking it moment by moment, and being able to look back and reflect on what you have done in the past that works. That is 100 percent a gift and skill that tennis gave me, and is applicable not only in my industry but across all businesses.” Even beyond the mental approach to both tennis and the real estate business, the necessity of developing different skills and refining those skills is an integral aspect of both arenas. As a former coach, Samii says he guided his students with the same advice that he uses in his current
business practices. “It’s all about improving every day, getting better at certain skills, and the proof of that is in the pudding,” explained Samii. “I think it’s a great lesson for kids. That was exactly how I coached, little by little. You work on your forehand, and when you get the technique down then it’s time to work on generating spin. Then after we have that down, let’s go into more details and develop your inside-out forehand and cross-court angle forehand. You try to master those shots, and then we can work on flattening the ball out in the middle of the court, and so on and so forth. That takes time and a lot of repetition, but over time you will become a complete tennis player, and it’s that same methodical approach that makes you successful in business.” Approaching the real estate market with that mindset is as important as ever, as every day we are bombarded with news about how dire things are throughout the world, whether it is the war in Ukraine or rising inflation. The ability to navigate through all the bad news that is out there is crucial for Samii and his team, and in doing so, he is able to view the landscape with more clarity. “There is a lot of noise out there, and a lot of people are waiting for the bottom to fall out, and at times it sure seems like it
BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE will eventually,” he said. “However, as someone who is the boots on the ground in real estate, I see it differently. We have historically low supply and there are more buyers than available inventory. The only thing that has really changed is price stabilization, which is good. People are scared of interest rates going up again, and that goes into the mindset of the buyer. But it’s important for potential customers to consult with experts in this area to reassure them that the bottom isn’t coming. With low supply and high demand, it is still a seller’s market, and I am confident that continues and the market continues to do well.” It’s often said that tennis is the sport for a lifetime, which typically means that you can continue playing tennis at any age, no matter how old you get. But that mantra also means that the skills and techniques you learn and develop as a tennis player are the same ones that can allow you to be successful in different areas of life. Samii is a living example of this, as he has taken what he learned as a tennis player and coach and used it to carve out his place in the Long Island real estate world. It’s a vital lesson for young players to understand that when you show up to practice, a training session or a match, that what you do on the court and the work you put in is not only so you can beat your opponent, but also so you develop habits that will translate to your life off the court.
Photo credit: Brad Penner/USTA
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
13
Vamos Rafa! After another dominant French Open, Nadal has 22 major titles By Brian Coleman Father time is undefeated. If you are any sort of sports fan, you have heard this cliche uttered by fans and talking heads more times than you can remember. Perhaps you have even said or thought it yourself. But apparently nobody told that to Rafael Nadal. The 36-year-old Nadal continues to defy both his own age and historical precedent, as the Spaniard seems to be playing at the same level, if not better, than he did during the prime of his career. Nadal, in his typical fashion, remains modest about what he can and can’t do at his age now. When asked about his preparation ahead of Wimbledon, he said: “Honestly, for me, it is positive to play a couple of matches before the competition starts at Wimbledon,” he said. “I used to play at Queen’s a long time ago. [But] I am older now. I can’t manage to play so many matches.” While the Spaniard is being humble and acknowledging his age, it is that mentality that has allowed Nadal to remain at the top of the game. The older you get on tour, the more necessary it is that there is an emphasis on scheduling and recovery, so picking and choosing which tournaments you compete in is vital. And one event that Nadal always shows up for takes place in Paris. While he is a native of Spain, France seems to be his second home, as his domination on the Red Clay at Roland Garros continues nearly two decades after it began. Nadal won his 14th French Open title earlier this spring, his 22nd major overall, and he now sits two majors ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the all-time list. He put on a clinical display in his two weeks in Paris, which included a four-set victory over Novak Djokovic, and a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 drubbing of Casper Ruud in the championship match. Naturally, after his win in the final, he was asked about his place in history. And as he always and genuinely does, Nadal offered his perspective. “It’s not about being the best in history. It’s not about the records. It’s about that I like what I do. I like to play tennis. And I like the competition,” he said during his postmatch press conference. “As I have said a couple of times in the past…we achieved continued on page 16
14
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
15
Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood/USTA
vamos rafal continued from page 14
our dreams. Me, Roger, Novak, we achieved things we probably never expected. For me, what drives me to keep going is not about the competition to try to be the best or to win more Grand Slams, than the others. What drives me to keep going is the passion for the game, the live moments that stays inside me forever, and to play in front of the best crowds in the world and the best stadiums.” Nadal has always taken the macro approach to evaluating his tennis career, and it has allowed him to remain successful this late into his tenure, and continue to win majors. We all know his dominance at the French Open, but what made this year’s triumph even more special was the fact that his lingering foot injury caused many problems for him during the fortnight. While he didn’t speak about the
Photo credit: Darren Carroll/USTA
injury during the tournament, he acknowledged it afterwards and
discussed having to get it fixed posttournament.
SHOCK ABSORPTION ('&%$#"! $Sorbothane$# " $ ' $' $ $! $ 94.7%$ $ %&$ $Nike ! % $ %% $ '& $ %! $% % $ $' $! %$ $ % % !" $" "% NASA$ % $Sorbothane$ $! %" $ ' %$ % $! $ %& %$ $' &$ " '!" $ $! %" $ % "!" %$ % " % !
RTP HEEL PAD XC™
16
( !$ $! %$ ' $" ' !$ $ % $ $ $! %$ %% $ $ %% $ '&$ $' # $ $ " $ % ' %$'! %!% $! $ %% $! %" $ %' !" $ !" %$ " &% %&$ $ "&" $ !" '!%$ $ ' !" $% "% ! $' &$% % !" %
YOUR SNEAKER’S NEW BEST FRIEND.
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
“I was able to play during these two weeks with extreme conditions. I have been playing with injections on the nerves to sleep the foot, and that’s why I was able to keep playing during these two weeks,” he revealed. “I have no feelings in my foot, because my doctor was able to put anesthetic injections on the nerves. That takes the feeling out of my foot. At the same time, it’s a big risk in terms of less feelings, a bigger risk of turning your ankle…everybody knows how much this tournament means to me, so I wanted to keep trying and to give myself a chance here. That was the only way to give myself a chance. So I did it. And I can’t be happier and I can’t thank my doctor enough for all the things he did during my tennis career, helping me in every tough moment.” Nadal’s willingness to go above and beyond to prepare his body for competition is incredible, and is a reallife example of what he mentions as his motivation. He loves competing and being able to perform in front of fans,
and that motivation keeps him going, despite not getting younger and dealing with a crippling foot injury. With 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, Nadal was initially unsure if he would be ready to compete at Wimbledon as he aims to achieve the Calendar Slam, having won the Australian Open to begin the season and the French Open this spring, but indications are that he will play on the famed grass courts in London. The ability to turn around and play tournaments that are close together on the calendar will become more and more difficult for the Spaniard, but that only means that when we do see Nadal play next, he will be at the top of his game. “I am just honestly going to keep going step-by-step, practice-by-practice, and always with a clear goal to improve something,” said Nadal. “That’s my mindset during my entire tennis career. Go on court and play every practice with the goal to improve something in my game. I don’t
understand the sport any other way.” Nadal continues to defy the typical convention that he should be on the backside of his career at his age. Despite being 36-years-old, Nadal presents a physical style of play that makes him uncomfortable to play against, even for younger players with less mileage on their bodies. Father time is still undefeated up to this point, but Nadal is giving him a run for his money. He is not ready to retire just yet, but he is not afraid of what will come in his post-tennis life. “I imagine it would be like what I’ve experienced the many times in my career when I’ve been out of competition as a result of injuries. It’s not something I lose sleep over, and I’m in no way scared of my life after tennis. I have a lot of things that make me happy. If I want, I can end my foot pain practically permanently.” Until that day comes, look for Nadal to play his matches with the same fiery intensity and tenacity that has become a staple of his career.
Get Your Game On ROSS SCHOOL TENNIS ACADEMY EAST HAMPTON, NY • Integrated academics and training program during the school year • Private lessons and court rentals • Adult programs for all levels • Summer programs for all ages
See details on seasonal programs at ross.org/tennis and summer programs at ross.org/summer 631-907-5162 TENNISCENTER@ROSS.ORG
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
17
The Top Five Things a Coach Should Not Do By Gilad Bloom
s the old saying goes, “You should always learn from your mistakes.” I add to that you should also learn from other people's mistakes. Throughout my coaching career, I have tried to learn from my mistakes and just like everyone else, I certainly made lots of them over the years. The trick is to not repeat those mistakes and as you reduce the number of those mistakes, you become a better coach. Being a former player, I remember some of the mistakes that my coaches used to make, and I try not to repeat them. Here is a list of the top five most common mistakes that coaches make. I have been guilty of these mistakes early in my coaching career, and I try to avoid repeating them every time I step onto the court.
A
1. Pointing out technical or strategic mistakes of students by telling them what they did wrong As a young coach, I would let my students know that they “didn't bend their knees,” or “should have hit a ball cross-court.” But as you evolve as a coach, you realize that a better way of teaching is by asking the student, "Why do you think you missed that ball in the net?" or "If 18
you could play this point again, where would you hit that running forehand you just missed"? By asking the student questions such as these, you instill the ability to analyze their mistakes and for them to come up with a solution on their own. Most of the time, they will know what they did wrong right away. When they come up with an answer on their own, they internalize the instructions better than if I told them. 2. Getting emotional or confrontational with students As a young coach who went straight from the pro tour into teaching, I was very intense, competitive and sometimes, emotional with students. I was passionate about the game, and I would take it personally if the student didn't perform well or was not committed enough. Over the years, I have learned that there is only so much a coach can do and that it is not productive or professional for a coach to show anger of any kind. The kids look up to the coach and expect them to always be in control. Over the years, I have learned to absorb unpleasant situations and react accordingly. Sometimes, I will create
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
"fake anger" in practice just to shake up things if I see the students are lethargic, but that "anger" is controlled and calculated, never personal. The main thing is to finish the session with a smile and a handshake. 3. Over coaching As a young player, I used to hate it when my coach would talk to me too much during practice. Most of the times when I missed, I knew it and I didn't need to hear what I did wrong every time I missed a ball. As a young coach, I was often guilty of that mistake myself. Over the years, I have learned that sometimes, less is more. It is one thing to hear the same instructions over and over while performing repetition drills, but during match play, the student needs to develop their own character and deal with different situations on their own, so I instruct the pros in my program to say very little during point play and let the kids play it out. Tennis is an individual sport and players need to be at peace when they play. I find that when you talk to students less, the meaning of the words increases and the students listen better. It is better to sum up the match at the end of the set.
4. Getting stuck on a certain dogmatic system of coaching I grew up being taught the sport of tennis by people who played with wood rackets and hit groundstrokes with a Continental Grip. I had great coaches and mentors, and I still believe in many of the "old school" ways of teaching … most of them still work. However, the game has evolved so much … the rackets, the grips, the style of play, and certainly the way people practice. As a young coach, I was very rigid in the way I taught. My thinking was that the methods worked for me so, it will work on my students. But I quickly realized that a coach should keep evolving with the game and make constant adjustments to their style of coaching. The everchanging game and the characteristics of the new generation requires the coaches to be on their toes constantly and to
be able to come up with new fresh drills. In fact, as a tennis coach, you have to constantly re-invent yourself. 5. Teaching everyone the same way As a former pro on tour that turned into a coach, I knew a thing or two about playing the game, but coaching is a different game altogether. Early on in my career, I used to put all of my students through the same "grinder," but I soon found out that due to the individuality of the game, each player is different. The challenge
as a coach is to find the right key to each player's brain and to give each student what they need. Some students need an "Iron Fist" approach and like to get pushed to the limit. Some students need a "softer" approach. Most kids need a combination of the two. The coach really needs to be aware and show some sensitivity and act as a sports psychologist to figure out the best way to teach each student and it can get even trickier when teaching a group of kids that are inevitably different from each other. That is what makes the job of a tennis coach so interesting!
Gilad Bloom is a former Israeli Davis Cup player and two-time Olympian, played on the ATP Tour 1983-1995, reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 1990, reached a highest ranking of 61 in singles, was Israel Singles Champion three times. Bloom has been running his own tennis program since 2000 and also was director of tennis at John McEnroe Tennis Academy for two years. He can be reached at bloom.gilad@gmail.com.
Experience high-performance hardcourts for homes, clubbs, cities, and stadiums. Engineered with the sam me precision and quality as Har--Tru tennis courts around the world, our ac crylic hardcourts deliver a consistent, durable, high-performance playin ng surface. All-weather Har-Tru Sports Coatings feature UV-resistant, 100% organic liquid pigments in a range of vibrant v colors. Designed to apply consistently and evenly, our coatings offer high yield y application rates and long-term surface stability.
Official Court Surface Provider of the APP To Tour
Official Playing Surface of The Citi Open
Official Playing Surface of World Te TeamT Te ennis
877-4-HAR-TRU (877-442-7878) Charlottesville, Virginia
hartru.com/ccoatings Photo by Ryan Loco
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
19
Bronx Open Returns to The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning fter a three-year hiatus, the NYJTL Bronx Open will return to New York City as the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning will host a 60K USTA Challenger Tournament later this summer. Professional women’s tennis will descend on the Bronx from August 1521, with qualifying taking place on Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16, and the main draw beginning on Tuesday, August 16. The singles final is slated for Sunday, August 21, with the doubles final to be played on Saturday, August 20. “We are elated to experience what NYJTL is investing into our community,” says Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Bringing premier events to the Bronx has been incredibly impactful, and I am grateful to NYJTL for empowering the next generation of future tennis stars to get out and play at the beautiful Cary Leeds Center.” This year’s event is a $60,000 USTA Pro-Circuit Tournament during the week leading into the US Open Qualifying tournament.
A
20
This event continues a long history of hosting professional tennis tournaments throughout NYJTL’s 50 years of service. It is one of the longest standing tournaments held at one location in the United States. The NYJTL Bronx Open will feature a main draw with 32 singles players plus a 16-team doubles’ event and a 32player qualifying event. In addition, the Cary Leeds Center will serve as a practice court facility for the US Open and will host the US Open Junior Qualifying tournament.
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
“We are thrilled to welcome women’s professional tennis back to the Bronx and celebrate the sport that has proven to change lives,” says NYJTL President & CEO Udai Tambar. “As Arthur Ashe once said, the game teaches our children about ‘matters more important than tennis’. It is crucial for young people to see our values of healthy living, character, and teamwork actualized. The competitors are invaluable role models that display the importance of perseverance, and teach our children
that they can dream bigger and achieve their goals.” USTA Eastern was named as one of the event’s sponsors. “USTA Eastern is thrilled to support the NYJTL Bronx Open as an official sponsor,” said USTA Eastern Executive Director & CEO Jenny Schnitzer. “We are committed to bringing professional tennis to our section and share a common goal with NYJTL to bring as many people into the game as possible, especially young people.” “We are excited to welcome USTA Eastern to the team for this year’s NYJTL Bronx Open,” said NYJTL President & CEO Udai Tambar. “We know that together we can make the game more accessible to diverse communities and provide the Bronx with the high-quality tennis it deserves.”
WINTER January Half Moon Bay, Jamaica
NYJTL will honor its visionary founder Arthur Ashe during the event as the special Ashe68 exhibit, normally held at the U.S. Open, will be displayed during the event. Ashe ’68 is a unique multi-component
SPRING March Indian Wells, CA
SUMMER June/July Aspen, CO August Stowe, VT
documentary project. The film, VR experience and photo exhibit focus on the story of Ashe’s social activism, which was launched to the world in 1968, a momentous and tumultuous time for Ashe, America and the world. On the court, professional tennis will return to the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning for the first time since 2019, when the firstever Bronx Open was held. A WTA 250 event, Poland’s Magda Linette defeated Italy’s Camila Giorgi 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 to win the title, while Darija Jurak & Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez defeated Margarita Gasparyan & Monica Niculescu 7-2, 2-6, 10-7 to win the doubles championship. Be sure to check NYTennisMag.com for draws, player announcements and ticket information for the Bronx Open.
FALL October November Innisbrook Resort Tampa, FL
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
21
The Top Ten Tennis Tips of All-Time Part Four:
Patience By Dr. Tom Ferraro
atience is not only a virtue but it’s the most valuable asset a tennis player can have. Players like Roger Federer, Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg, or Rod Laver have patience in the short term and in the long term. No matter what has just occurred, they remain unruffled, unphased and self-contained. Every tennis player alive knows that this is the way to play yet few are able to do so. The question is how does one learn to be patient? Over the years by working with some of the best professional players in tennis, baseball, basketball, and golf I have had a chance to learn what their secret is and how to foster more of it. My favorite story is from Al Leiter, the former Mets and Yankees pitcher, and three-time World Series champion. I once asked him what he thought the secret to his success was and he smiled and said to me “I learned how to win with my B and my C game.” He was the personification of self-acceptance and patience. Every athlete has ups and downs, winning streaks, and slumps but the ones with patience are the ones that remain champions. The key to patience under duress is found in a solid self-belief. When things are not going your way, the only way to maintain composure is to rely on a
P
22
belief in oneself that transcends the last mistake. Self-belief is like a cushion that softens the blow of mistakes. If Humpty Dumpty had a cushion under him when he had that ‘great fall’ he would not have needed ‘all the king’s horses and all the king’s men to put him together again. ‘ Rod Laver was exceptionally humble and said great players accept their limits and their mistakes. Champions like Federer, Ashe, and Borg all have an unwavering belief in themselves which helps them to forgive themselves. So how does one develop enough self-belief to have patience and composure when facing setbacks? The answer to that is found either in having a very good family life as a kid or of having a very good spouse or coach that instills belief in you. Roger Federer has a loving wife who supports him. Arthur Ashe had a loving father and then was mentored by Pancho Gonzales. Bjorn Borg was coached throughout his professional life by Lennart Bergelin. Borg had trouble with anger early in his career but learned to master it by the time
he turned professional. Al Leiter came from a big stable family of baseball players with lots of love all around. Tiger Woods managed to withstand all the adversity he faced as a minority in an predominantly-white sport was because he had such a solid foundation of love from both his parents who instilled in him self-belief. Patience is one of the secrets to becoming a champion, but you cannot get to patience directly or on your own. You must first be the recipient of love from either your parents, your coach, or your spouse. With love comes self-belief, selfforgiveness, the iron will to win and enough patience to endure the slings and arrows of sport. And if you find that you are not getting the support or the love that you need, you can call me. The sport psychologist is assigned the task of parent surrogate to help to develop forgiveness, self-respect, and patience. And then who knows what happens next. The sky’s the limit as they say.
For consultations, treatment or on-site visits, contact Dr. Tom Ferraro Ph.D., Sport Psychologist, by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com.
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Tennis Bubbles: A Grand Slam Victory Over the Elements rying to figure out a way to maintain your tennis training momentum throughout the offseason? Indoor tennis is a lot more viable than you might think. New York’s harsh winters make outdoor tennis strictly a seasonal sport—unless you can move it indoors. And while indoor tennis may seem like an expensive luxury, The Farley Group keeps the game going year-round by manufacturing, installing and maintaining tennis bubbles. Bubbles are the ideal solution for indoor tennis—both economically and practically. Tennis has always been a big deal in New York, which has driven the demand for indoor playing spaces for several decades now. With more than 20 bubbles in New York City and the Long Island area, Farley tennis bubbles have helped solidify New York as one of the top places to train and develop tennis talent. By providing a way to train throughout the winter, tennis becomes much more accessible to those that don’t have the means or desire to travel south for the winter. Compared to other construction methods, bubbles have a relatively short history. Bubbles first made appearances in North America in the early 1970s, and have since evolved into a top solution for sports like tennis. Ralph Farley, founder of The Farley Group, saw how well the concept worked in Europe, and brought it back with him more than 40 years ago. Since then, The Farley Group has built dozens of tennis bubbles around the world. Stepping into a tennis bubble for the first time can be awe-inspiring.
T
No other structure can provide as much space without any support beams or walls. It’s almost counterintuitive at first sight: “What’s holding up the roof?” Intriguingly, bubbles require nothing but air to do that. Fresh, filtered and conditioned air flows in, giving the bubble its rounded shape, protecting the playing surface and players underneath. A wonderful added benefit is that tennis bubbles can be either seasonal or permanent. Permanent bubbles have the advantage of full protection from the weather
throughout the year—cold and snow during the winter, and rain or high winds in the summer—while seasonal domes can go up in the fall and come down in the spring. They represent the perfect solution for outdoor courts. And best of all? Tennis bubbles can be installed for a fraction of what other indoor tennis courts cost. To learn more about how Farley tennis bubbles can help your club members practice their swing 365 days a year, visit TheFarleyGroup.com or call (888) 445-3223.
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
23
USTA Eastern Metro Region Volunteer Spotlight: Isis Gill
Gill competing as part of the Saint Joseph’s University tennis team sis Gill, a former top-ranked Eastern junior and player at Saint Joseph’s University, has experienced firsthand the inequities that exist in the sport. Her own experiences led her to found SG Next Level, a consulting company that helps parents navigate both junior competitive tennis and the tennis college-recruiting process. She also made the decision recently to volunteer with USTA Eastern as a member of the Metro Region Council. “I want to use my position on the Metro Council to enhance the tennis community in my neighborhood of BedfordStuyvesant, Crown Heights and East Flatbush,” she says. “I want to get more kids into the sport and help the current CTAs expand their reach and vision.” Gill spoke to us about her passion for tennis and what she hopes to accomplish as a volunteer.
I
24
When did you first pick up a racquet? What did you love about the sport that made you keep wanting to play? Gill: I first picked up a racquet at the age of 8 years old, through the local NYJTL program in Prospect Heights. I think at first I wanted to keep playing for the thrill of competing, but later in life I kept playing to make up for all of the sacrifices my family made over the years to get my sister and I playing at a high level. What were some of the highlights of your junior playing career? Gill: A major achievement for me was hitting a peak ranking of 110 in the country in the girls’ 16 and Under division. I was consistently ranked in the top 15 in Eastern
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
USTA Eastern Metro Region and won three National doubles titles. I also won two Public School Athletic League (PSAL) team championships, as well two PSAL and two Mayor’s Cup doubles championships with my sister. What did you enjoy most about playing junior tennis? Gill: In retrospect, the thing I enjoyed most was traveling, competing at a high level, and getting to meet people from all different walks of life. Tennis has gifted me some of my best friends. I’ve made meaningful connections all around the world. Why were you interested in joining the Metro Region Council? Gill: After disengaging from tennis for two years post-
graduation, I found that I missed the sport, as well as being involved in the community. I wanted to give back to the sport that gave so much to me. The main reason I joined the Metro Council was to help CTAs not only increase their pipeline of kids using tennis as a vehicle to get into college, but to make the sport more equitable. What is one of your goals in working with the Council? Gill: I’d like to host a financial literacy event with a tennis component to expose children in disenfranchised communities to basic money management skills and tools. I'd also like to spearhead an initiative on funding for grassroots tennis in the Central Brooklyn Area. There are so many CTAs doing great work—they just lack substantial funding.
Metro Region Council Volunteers at Tompkins Healing Day n collaboration with the Mayor’s Action Plan—which works to encourage neighborhood safety and promote healthy community initiatives—USTA Eastern’s Metro Region Council has set up tennis nets at street fairs across New York City to spotlight the health and social benefits of the sport. The organization maintained a presence at 15 of these fairs last year, and USTA Eastern volunteers will continue to work with community leaders at the events throughout 2022. On June 18, Metro Region council members Steven Mingo and Sasha Thomas attended the Tompkins Healing Day near the Tompkins Houses in Brooklyn as part of the continued partnership. The pair handed out brochures about local tennis programs and also hit a couple balls with attendees who stopped by the booth. “It’s [usually] the first time a
I
continued on page 26 NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
25
USTA Eastern Metro Region person is picking up a racquet in his or her life,” Mingo said. “Once they make contact with the ball, they usually want to continue to play. Volunteering my time and skills at these events is part of my own organization’s mission. Everyone who wants to play tennis should have the opportunity to play tennis.” Thomas said events like these show just how tailor-made the sport is for families. “We had a mom and her twoyear-old daughter come over to us, and both were interested in learning the basics of the game,” Thomas said. “I worked with the two-year-old. As I fed her the ball she would swing the racquet as hard as she could. Every time she hit the ball she would walk over to her mom and say ‘Look mom, I hit the ball’. Watching her get so excited was very rewarding.” Buoyed by their successful outing at the Healing Day, Mingo and Thomas are excited to continue working with the Mayor’s Action Plan in the future. “More and more people are interested in playing tennis,” Thomas said.” They just need to have the right information on how to take the first step.”
26
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
adult league
wrap-up
By Christopher Dong
The 18 & Over 9.0 Eastern Sectional Champions captained by Akiki Tohmatsu
The USTA Eastern Metro Region Adult Leagues are in full swing, with many of the seasonal leagues finishing up earlier this winter, some are still playing, and others will begin as we head into the spring. Below is a recap of the action in the Metro Adult Leagues. League Winners l 18 & Over - Eastern Sectionals Champions l 9.0: Akiko Tohmatsu l 18 & Over - Manhattan Champions l 3.0 Men: Wilson Heredia/Sam Markovich l 4.5 Men: Mitchell Low/Roger Freed/Michael Doane l 4.0 Women: Linda Eichenbaum/Karen Hyams l 4.5 Women: Akiko Tohmatsu l Open Women: Ria Julich/Carolina Torres 18 & Over - Queens Champions l 4.0 Men: Dan Bindler/Steven Bricker l 55 & Over - 8.0 Mixed Doubles Champions, Sue Robichek
Coming Up The Metro 18 & Over Regionals will take place between July 23-24 at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center. In August, the 55 & Over leagues will be played, featuring three courts of doubles. Later this fall, the Tri-Level 3.5/4.0/4.5 leagues as well as the Manhattan Mixed Doubles leagues will get underway. New players, teams and captains are welcome. For more information, please contact me at cdong@eastern.usta.com
Christopher Dong is the Adult League Coordinator for the USTA Eastern Metro Region. He may be reached at cdong@eastern.usta.com. NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
27
By Brian Coleman
Coaching Spotlight 28
Pavlo Bednarzh MatchPoint NYC ne area of strength for any tennis academy, club or facility is its ability to take its youngest and most beginner-level players and transition them into becoming competitive junior players. For MatchPoint NYC in Brooklyn, a major factor in its success with progressing tennis players is Pavlo “Pasha” Bednarzh, who directs MatchPoint’s QuickStart program, amongst many other key responsibilities for the club’s tennis players. Bednarzh is a native of Ukraine, growing up in the former Soviet Union where he was nominated and was a candidate for the nation’s premier Master of Sport award, which is given to top coaches and experts in their respective sport. “I played for about 11 or 12 years growing up, and then went to college,” he recalls. “It’s then that I went into coaching, working in Ukraine for a couple of years before moving to Poland.” In Poland, Bednarzh took his coaching to the next level, working with some of the country’s top junior players.
O
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
“When I first started coaching, it was with the small kids,” said Bednarzh. “I then went to Poland and began working with older juniors. It was very interesting to make the jump to working with highperformance juniors, but I enjoyed the challenge. I was the one teaching, but I made sure to be learning as well. I was teaching them the skills I knew, but I was also taking things in from the players as well as the older coaches.” An even bigger challenge would arise when Bednarzh headed farther west and moved to the United States about 20 years ago. He landed in Brooklyn and began a coaching job at the club in which MatchPoint’s ownership would eventually take over. Between moving to a new country and not speaking the native language, it was a difficult transition for Bednarzh. On top of that, he transitioned into working with younger kids once again and had to make the proper adjustment. But since he had worked with all levels of junior tennis players, Bednarzh brought with him a special skill set and the necessary experience to help guide players through the progression. “He likes to build players from the ground up,” said Khrystsina Tryboi, a 10U coach at MatchPoint who also serves as the club’s Director of Marketing. “We get players as young as four-years-old, and they move up through our program, with Pasha’s help. He introduces them to USTA tournaments, and educates the parents on what to expect, the levels of progressions, etc. He has a very broad reach within our program.” It is that hands-on approach and his dedication that has made Bednarzh such a beloved coach by his players and their parents, but also an invaluable resource for MatchPoint. And he has contributed to one of
the most endearing aspects of MatchPoint, which is the friendly environment and atmosphere that exists when you walk inside. “There is a sense of community here,” he said. “Everyone is friendly here, and you come in you can feel happy here. We have the lounge and restaurant upstairs, which is a great place for the parents to relax while their kid is taking a lesson. It’s just a great facility to be in and be a part of.” Being located in an area of Brooklyn which consists of many people from Eastern Europe, MatchPoint has fostered a welcoming culture and has tailored it to fit the needs of the people it services. “About five or six years ago, we got involved with running USTA tournaments here, and Khrystsina was integral in bringing in the USTA’s curriculum for QuickStart, and looked at how we can utilize that here,” said Bednarzh. “We took those programs and assessments, and culturally adjusted it to the Eastern European mentality. Everything here revolves around us being a cultural hub for the people who come in, and we try to tailor our programming to fit the needs of our clients.” That welcoming culture combined with top-level coaching has allowed MatchPoint to see players rise up through the progressions of its program, as they come in as beginners and leave as highperformance juniors who are prepared to pursue tennis at the next level. It’s precisely that which is one of the favorite parts of coaching for Bednarzh; working with a player who picks up a racket for the first
time, and watching them grow and develop under your tutelage. Two of those players are Thomas Walsh and Milana Markov, who are now top-level junior players who got their start working with Bednarzh and the QuickStart programs at MatchPoint. “When Pascha takes a kid under his wing, he handles the tennis, helps their parents, picks the tournaments, checks the draw, talks to him/her before and after their match, etc.” added Tryboi. “He is highly involved and heavily invested, and that’s what makes the difference for him as a coach. He takes a lot of pride in that.” Bednarzh has worked with tennis players of all ages throughout his many years of coaching, and has used that wealth of experience to enhance the programming at MatchPoint, and foster a culture of tennis development. When he isn’t coaching, he enjoys heading into Manhattan to see live jazz or take in a Broadway show. But the performances he is most interested in are the ones from his players, and the joy he gets from watching them succeed. If Bednarzh begins to work with a player, the results typically come soon after, and each player he gets to work with presents a new and unique challenge. “While they are growing up, you can see the progress they have made from when they first started,” he said. “No two children are alike, and you have to find ways to connect with each player, and figure out the best way to coach that particular child and establish a connection with them. I love this aspect of coaching.”
Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com. NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
29
Metro Corporate League Looking Towards 2021 Presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs
Metro Corporate League Wraps Up Winter 2022 Season Summer 2022 Season is underway The Winter 2022 season in the Metro Corporate League came to a close earlier this spring as Roosevelt Island Racquet Club hosted the end-of-season party and finals for the three different divisions this season. The teams battled it on the court with flights taking place in singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles. When it was all said and done, the following teams were crowned champions: Intermediate Division: BNP Paribas
Advanced Intermediate Division: Neuberger Berman
Advanced Division: Proskauer Rose LLP The Summer 2022 season is currently underway. For more information on leagues, to sign up a team, or to sign up to play, visit MetroTennis.com or contact luis@metrotennis.com. 30
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
JMTP Pro-Am Returns to the Hamptons Photo credit: Joelle Wiggins
ohn and Patrick McEnroe have announced that they will be joined by Bob and Mike Bryan, the Bryan Brothers, at the 8th Annual Johnny Mac Tennis Project’s Pro Am in the Hamptons on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The Bryan Brothers are the all-time winningest ATP doubles team and their presence, along with that of the McEnroe Brothers, and a list of tennis legends that is expected to grow between now and the event date, will provide a one-of-a-kind experience for all who attend. Participants will compete in a roundrobin tournament alongside former WTA and ATP Tour professionals, current and former Division I College players, and top John McEnroe Tennis Academy coaches. Player tickets start
J
at $2,500. Guests can bid on exclusive items and experiences throughout the day via a curated silent auction and a live auction. Light fare and refreshments will be served. Following the Pro Am, there will be a separate after-party hosted at a local private residence featuring drinks, dinner, dancing, and a live auction. Tickets to the after party are $250, or can be purchased in conjunction with a player ticket. This event raises funds for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), a non-profit founded by John and others, which changes young lives by removing the racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis. The JMTP Pro Am, now in its 8th year, has become the flagship summer
fundraiser for the organization and has grown each year since 2015. This year’s event is expected to feature 144 players, including 9 Tennis Legends, 63 pros, and 72 amateurs, making it the biggest one-day Pro Am event in the world. “The JMTP Pro Am is one of the highlights of the year for Patrick and me every year, and this year we are thrilled to welcome The Bryan Brothers to the event,” said tennis icon John McEnroe. “We are so appreciative of all those who participate in this event to make it a success and allow us to continue to bring tennis to NYC kids.” For more information on sponsorships and tickets, or to donate, please visit www.proam2022.givesmart.com or contact JMTP at info@jmtpny.org or 212-792-8500.
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
31
Tennis, Food
2022 LITM Challenge Series
Women’s 6.0-6.5 Champions: Lynn Villano & Theresa Ameres
reat competition, ideal weather and a beautiful setting was all on display at the first Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge event of the summer as men’s doubles and women’s doubles teams gathered at Sportime Quogue to get the 2022 LITM Challenge Series started. Pairings competed across seven different divisions with play taking place on the outdoor courts as each team competed through the roundrobin stages in hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds. In addition to the tennis on the court, players at the LITM Challenge events are treated to catered lunch, waters and snacks, as well as a stocked open bar. "Every year, the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge continues to get bigger and better. With 22 outdoor clay courts at
G
32
Women’s 7.0-7.5 Champions: Jueen Lee & Heoeeun Kwon
THE LONG ISLAND
CHALLENGE 2022
Sportime Quogue, the club is able to accommodate the growth,” said co-tournament director Michelle Stoerback. “The atmosphere at this event was amazing. Perfect weather, amazing people, great tennis, tons of fun and the best margaritas ever!” In the Women’s 6.0-6.5 combined division, Lynn Villano & Theresa Ameres overcame Amy Gillen & Joy Martinsen to capture the title. The chemistry and communication
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Women’s 8.0-8.5 Champions: Barbara Mue
between the two players proved to be the difference. “Our communication was great, and most important we got over our nerves,” said Villano. “We started off a little rocky, but we settled in well and just played our game, and that’s what we wanted to do.” Ameres added: “The tournament was excellent; it was a lot of fun. The whole day was great.” Coming through in the Men’s 7.07.5 combined division was the duo of Steve Subject & Jeff Kee, who were able to defeat Jonathan Greenhut & David Blank in the championship. “This is my fourth or fifth time playing this tournament, I love it,” said Subject. “It’s always a lot of fun and run very, very well. On the court I thought our strength was our teamwork. Jeff and I have played
od and Fun!
ies kicks off in the Hamptons
a Mueller & Susie Mackenzie
Women’s 9.0-9.5 Champions: Tatiana Dualiby & Shay Siege
together many times, so it was good that we weren’t strangers. We also covered the court very well, and had a high first-serve percentage.” The Women’s 7.0-7.5 combined division featured a thrilling final that went into a deciding tiebreak. Jueen Lee & Heoeeun Kwon were able to outlast Agne Rakauskas & Theresa Bellini 7-6(7-5) to win the title. “The final was so close, and it was a really tight match,” said Lee. “It was very competitive and I’m proud of the way we played, and that we were able to win.” A key to victory was an in-match adjustment that saw the two players switch positions on the court. “We changed our strategy to have Jueen play from the baseline and I moved up to the net,” said Kwon. “I think that’s what makes us a good team, we can change up our plan and mix up our strategies.”
Men’s 7.0-7.5 Champions: Steve Subject & Jeff Kee
THE LONG ISLAND
CHALLENGE 2022
Adjusting to new styles of play was something that the pairing of Barbara Mueller & Susie Mackenzie had to do in order to claim victory in the Women’s 8.0-8.5 combined division, defeating Simone Cranes & Rhonda Levy in the championship. “Sometimes at tournaments you see the same players, but here it was a nice change of pace, and it forced us to have to adjust to some other games and styles,” said Mackenzie. “It wasn’t always the
prettiest but we got it done.” Mueller added: “I think keeping the ball deep was a big key for us. We came in when we needed to, and there was a lot of lobbing going on so we tried to take the ball out of the air.” Raimundas Rakauskas & Marijus Kuzavas edged out Brett Verini & Zach Mollo 7-5 in the championship match to win the Men’s 8.0-8.5 combined division. “We both were serving very well,” said Kuzavas. “This allowed us to keep most of our service games unbroken and I think that gave us a lot of confidence.” When asked what his favorite part of the event was overall, Kuzavas said: “I would not single out one part, but I would say that everything was continued on page 34
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
33
tennis, food and fun! continued from page 33
Men’s 8.0-8.5 Champions: Raimundas Rakauskas & Marijus Kuzavas
really good. The event was organized very well. The food and drinks provided were great. The atmosphere was amazing – everyone was in good moods. Lots of lighthearted conversations on and off court. Competition was great – every match was a nail-biter. And doing this interview at the end of event was also a lot of fun!” For Tatiana Dualiby & Shay Siegel, the biggest factor was maintaining their composure throughout the event. In doing so, the pairing won the Women’s 9.0-9.5 combined division, downing Stacy Fleischman & Sondra Glueck in the finals. “My favorite part of the event was how friendly all the players were and competing at my home court,” said Dualiby. “And what helped me win was to keep calm and wait for the right shot to finish the points and my partner always keeping a positive energy.” 34
Men’s 10+ Champions: Vishal Varghese & Christopher Tattanelli
The championship match of the Men’s 10.0+ division was played on Sportime Quogue’s center court as Vishal Varghese & Christopher
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Tattanelli defeated Allen Thrones & Jeremy Chung to capture the title. “It was great to be on court and play with Vishal,” said Tattanelli. “The tournament was a lot of fun, and we’re looking forward to playing in the next event.” The first LITM Challenge of the summer continued the tradition of previous events, with friendly-yet-competitive tennis on the court, and just as much fun off the court. Catered food and lunch was provided for all players, as well as an open bar featuring beers and mixed drinks, which helps elevate the LITM Challenges to more than just tennis tournaments. “This is our ninth year hosting the LITM Challenge Series, and we have always tried to create an event rather than just a tournament,” said tournament founder and cotournament director David Sickmen. “We have moved the Challenge
events around Long Island, but hosting the events in the Hamptons at Sportime Quogue this summer allows for many outdoor courts and a beautiful setting with a pool deck. Additionally we catered lunch which included wraps, salads and pizza, along with having an open bar with margaritas and beer. We supply snacks and water, bring a photographer and writer for a media component, and have not
raised the price despite all of these tournament expenses. With all types of levels of play available, and anywhere from 85-110 players per tournament, we love bringing the community together in a special way and we hope the players continue to appreciate our efforts and support our events the same
way we try to support their passion for unique and professional events.” The next Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge will be a Mixed Doubles event on Saturday, July 16 at Sportime Quogue. Visit LITennisMag.com/LITMSummerMixed to register.
THE LONG ISLAND
CHALLENGE 2022
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
35
P ICKLEBALL I N NEW YORK
P ICKLEBALL IN NEW YORK
Arraya, Carter Win Inaugural Hampto
Kowalsky siblings w
he first-ever New York Tennis Magazine Hamptons Pickleball Open took place at Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn in Westhampton as dozens of pickleball teams headed out east to compete in this one-of-a-kind event. The event was split into two different divisions, with the Mixed Doubles 3.5 competitors playing in the morning, while the Men’s Doubles 5.0+ pro division gathered in the afternoon to battle it out. The Mixed Doubles winners and finalists earned themselves new pickleball paddles courtesy of adidas, and the Men’s Doubles players competed for the $2,000 purse that was up for grabs. Throughout the day, the courts at The Barn were filled with high-level pickleball action, and players and spectators were able to enjoy the complimentary waters and bananas, Courtney and Kevin Kowalsky captured the title in the Mixed Doubles division. as well as the breakfast platters and pizza provided. In the afternoon, the open bar became the place to be with beers and margaritas available to help convert the tournament into an event. "We have been running events for multiple racquet sports for over a decade all around the Metropolitan area, and we just recently entered into the pickleball world, and were thrilled to team up with Barry Altman and Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn," said David Sickmen, Owner of New York Tennis Magazine. "When we run events, we like to make sure that in addition to the competitiveness on-court, players and fans can enjoy the fun atmosphere off court. Tournament Director David Radisch did a great job making the event run smoothly, and the catered breakfast, lunch and open bar kept everyone well-fed and well-"hydrated". The best part is the pickleball world is filled with great people Enrique Carter & Juan Arraya won the Men’s Doubles division, earning the top who were a pleasure to get to know. This was a real team prize money courtesy of Hampton Estates Realty
T
36
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
K
PICKLEBALL I N NEW YORK
P ICKLEBALL IN NEW YOR
tons Pickleball Open Pro Division Title win Mixed Doubles
effort all around!" The tournament was played in a round-robin format with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals. In the Mixed Doubles division, the sisterbrother combination of Courtney & Kevin Kowalsky defeated C.J. Shank & Linda Vonderlieth to earn the title. Lisa Schindler & Ken Savelli won the thirdplace match to earn the Bronze Medal. “I think our chemistry played a
massive role in our win today,” said Kevin Kowalsky. “Obviously we’ve always had that, and we’ve strengthened it over time. We also were able to exploit our opponent’s weaknesses pretty well.” Courtney added: “We’re so happy to get the win. This tournament was such a fun day, and it was run really well. Everything went smoothly, there was great competition. We only have
good things to say.” In the afternoon, the pros took the court as $2,000 in prize money, courtesy of Hampton Estates Realty was on the line. When the dust settled, the duo of Enrique Carter & Juan Arraya defeated Sam Kim & Allen Fitzsimmons to win the Gold Medal. Frank Sciacca & Thomas Finale continued on page 38
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
37
P ICKLEBALL I N NEW YORK continued from page 37
The top three medal finishers in the Mixed Doubles division
defeated Mike Kazin & Robert Giovi to earn the Bronze Medal. “There were some good teams out there today. You can see even the newer teams have been practicing a lot and have gotten better, which is great to see,” said Carter. “The event was very well-run. I was just
P ICKLEBALL IN NEW YORK
Sam Kim & Allen Fitzsimmons finished in second place and earned the Silver Medal in the Men’s Pro Division
telling Barry [Altman] that the facility looks great inside and out. The courts are great…I love this place.” The key to success for Arraya & Carter? “We were setting each other up really well, and worked incredibly well
together,” said Arraya. “We definitely made a few mistakes at times, but we got back to our strategy and ended up having a great result.” The inaugural Hamptons Pickleball Open was a success as there were sold-out draws for both divisions, and players and spectators both left the
CHRIS LEWIT TENNIS
ELITE YEAR-ROUND TRAINING IN THE NYC AREA HIGH PERFORMANCE SUMMER CAMP IN VERMONT SOUTH FLORIDA TRAINING AVAILABLE
CHRISLEWIT.COM
914.462.2912 CHRIS@CHRISLEWIT.COM
38
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
K
PICKLEBALL I N NEW YORK
event wanting to know when the next one would be. A special thanks goes out to the event’s sponsors, including host site Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn, adidas and Hampton Estates Realty, without whom the event would not be possible.
P ICKLEBALL IN NEW YOR
“The event was a wonderful way to showcase our brand new facility and to display a high level of competitive pickleball,” said Barry Altman, Owner of Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn. “We hope to house many additional events throughout
this coming season. The enthusiasm that was shared by all led to another full house over the balance of this past weekend.” Be sure to check LITennisMag.com and our social media pages for information on future events!
CENTERCOURT FULL L TIME
TENNIS A C ADEMY Y • • • • • • • • • • •
Wo W orld Class Coaching Stafff and Facilities Full Day Training with On Sit S e Qualified Teachers Complete Training & Comp petition Dev ve elopment planning On Going Parent / Player meetings as needed Own Choice of A Ac cademic Programs supported Training, Competitive, Coaching & Academic Needs in one location Cutting Edge Mental T To oughness Program Specialized Video Analysis & Supervised Match Play Domestic and Internationa al Trav ve el teams for UST TA A, ITF ev ve ents Only 25 Miles f rom NYC witth Housing and Transport Av va ailable Renowned Toughest Playgr g ound in the Northeast
NICK SA AMIR MICHAEL L KOTZEN BAN NERJEE J ZHENG 2021 Winter National Hard Court Champion
Conta act Conrad Singh conrad@centercourtclub.com m • +1 862-308-3029 www.centercourtCTA TA .com
Wim mbledon J Junior Cha ampion 2021
US Open Junior Competitor
CONTACT US FOR YOUR O R COMPETITIVE AND D DEVELOPMENT PLAN N
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
39
Always Be ... Learning By Luke Jensen y tennis journey continues in so many wonderful ways. I’ve been a player at the junior, high school, college and professional level. I coached at the recreational, college and professional level. I’ve been part of directing and marketing racquet sports programs at various clubs and special events around the nation. Broadcasting tennis has been part of the journey since 1984 and that has been part of the fun. I speak to aspiring junior players all the time about the advantages of a tennis career. That having a Roger Federer career is only one of the many options in the game. My Mom wanted me to be a doctor but the sport of tennis opened my life to so many avenues of opportunity to meet people and experience cultures of the world. I stress to juniors and their parents to keep the focus on personal education. Drawing on the world around you to better your knowledge for your game and how to treat people. Listening to learn is the greatest weapon a person can develop. I ask a lot of questions and my awareness of how I can pick up effective tools to improve my approach has helped me more than any other aspect in my various careers. My latest challenge is coaching WTA competitor and American Coco Vandeweghe. We began at the start of April and the pro tour clay court season. I coached her in 2020 during the World TeamTennis season, but being a full-time
M
40
coach on tour is the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to actually playing again. The laser like focus to improve every day to battle against the most talented players on the planet is so much FUN! When you’re playing or coaching someone who is playing for money you learn right away the incredible intensity of every match, practice and gym session. It’s a win and/or improve constantly type approach. Losing can’t be an option because it’s the reality of the profession. You are evolving into what can win out there or you won’t be out there for very long. You have to always advance your knowledge and understanding of the game evolving around you: the power, the youth, the confidence and the tremendous focus on tactical abilities. Can you as a player or coach your player to adapt to the constant shifts of momentum and strategy during the match and the modern game. As a coach my number one goal is to empower my player with a confidence that can never be crushed by a loss, losing streak or injury. By instilling a sense of situational awareness at all times to find their very best performance and identify opponent’s weaknesses. A
mental dashboard of gauges that tells the story of the match, starting with the walk out to the court and finishing with the postmatch handshake. Have you ever seen Rafael Nadal at the coin flip or in the tunnel before he walks on the court doing kangaroo jumps with his opponent right there?!? It’s done to completely mentally and physically intimidate the opposition before they have hit the first ball. He sets the intensity tone that the other side has to either match or completely block out. Knowing what makes you think, feel and play your very best is the same at every level. The players that master the mind master the game. The WTA and ATP will be playing all around the United States this summer and I hope you get a chance to see some of the fresh faces and old veterans. A couple of great events is the Atlanta Open and Citi Open. Seeing the great singles and dubs is a blast but being real close to these great players practicing is inspiring. They all work so hard to improve and learn valuable lessons from the previous match. You might not be able to hit a 120 mph serve like them but you could pick up a tip that helps your second serve but whatever you do…DO NOT TRY A TWEENER! Keep going for WINNERS!
Born in Grayling, Mich., Luke Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Jim Courier. Jensen and his brother, Murphy, won the 1993 French Open doubles title. Luke is currently director of tennis at Sea Island Tennis Center in Georgia. He may be reached by phone at (315) 443-3552 or email lukejensen84@yahoo.com.
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Har-Tru Becomes Official Playing Surface of the Citi Open in 2022
n 2022, Har-Tru will sponsor the historic Citi Open® Tournament, held annually in Washington D.C.’s Rock Creek Park. The four-year arrangement provides the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center with new hard court surfacing for the event and Har-Tru clay court material for the community courts at the facility. The tournament has a deep and rich 52-year history. It was played on HarTru clay courts until 1986, when the competition switched to a hard-court surface. This year, the Citi Open will be played on a best in class hard court surface made by Har-Tru. Founded in 1969 to support Arthur Ashe’s vision of playing a pro tennis tournament in a public park fully
I
accessible to everyone, Citi became the event’s title sponsor in 2011, ushering in the Citi Open Era of the tournament. Today, the Citi Open is the only ATP 500 event in the U.S. and the longest-running U.S. pro tournament in its original location. In 2019, MDE Sports, owned and led by D.C. philanthropist and entrepreneur Mark Ein, took over management and reimagined the historic tournament experience for players and fans. Ein was a ball boy at the tournament as a kid and frequently says the experience changed his life. “My personal experience as a fan, ball boy, and now CEO of the tournament, convinced me long ago of
the awesome power of tennis to transform kids’ lives,” said Ein. “The Citi Open really is Arthur Ashe’s dream come true. And I hope that spirit shines through for the players and fans who take part in this special event in our nation’s capital.” “We’re excited to be back at the Citi Open to introduce our hard courts to a new generation of players and fans,” said Pat Hanssen, president of Har-Tru. “At the same time, it’s very fulfilling to support the Rock Creek Tennis Center community. We believe it’s important for players to have an opportunity to train and play on clay, and this sponsorship allows us to help them do that.” The Citi Open Tournament will be held Aug. 1-7, 2022.
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
41
The Myth of Over-Trying Dont Do It! By Rob Polishook e have all experienced it…that time when our game was just not clicking and you felt a little off. Maybe it was your serve? Maybe it was the forehand or volley? So what did you do? If you’re like most players, you went out to the courts with a hopper of balls and drilled serves until your arm felt like falling off. Unbeknownst to you, each serve you hit, your muscles were getting tighter and tighter, mentally you were getting more frustrated, and your serve was getting worse! Consequently, you leave the court in unhappy wondering if your serve will ever get better? Then the next day, with a sore arm, you run back the same scenario, except this time with more frustration and a higher risk of injury. How can this be happening? We wonder and more so what can I do
W
42
to improve this blasphemous serve? If you asked me, my first recommendation would be to start by letting go of the age old myth which in actuality is propelling things and making them worse in the first place. The myth is: “If we try more or play harder, we will get more out of the activity, and achieve better results.” Societal norms help create this myth. It sounds like the truth but it’s simply not. For most of us, our common default mode is over trying, beating ourselves up and grinding.We wonder, but isn’t this the way to winning, fame and fortune? We hear it all the time, in phrases like, “no pain no gain” or even “suffer”. You, your coach or your parents might not want to hear this. For sure everyone has bought into the “more is better” myth, or when in doubt work harder, grind
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
more, struggle till it hurts.” What if that’s not exactly true? In fact, maybe over-trying can be counterproductive, hurt your game and lead to burnout. Now, I am not suggesting to not try, not work, or not to care. However, more times than not, when an athlete over-tries in competition or practice, they physically rush, get tense, and lose their focus. Essentially, they lose sight of the little things that are necessary to put themselves in the best situation to compete. Mentally, they mind travel back to the past or forward to the future and focus on what they cannot control. Things like the outcome, expectations and what’s important now (W.I.N.). Physiologically, they lose their feel, rhythm, and timing; essentially, not trusting themselves, their process, and their plan. Given these characteristics, it’s not a surprise less actually happens and frustration, anger and anxiety escalate. The path isn’t about over-trying. Rather the path is about slowing down, breathing, and pausing to evaluate what’s happening in the moment. It is not about grinding, trying to do more, but rather maybe doing what you have been doing, but better or with more intention. For example, taking a step back and simplifying things to one common denominator such as sticking to the fundamentals of a shot (good split step), playing your patterns better (higher net clearance), or simply not overcooking and trying to be perfect by letting go of
imperfection. Also maybe, strategically playing smarter and eliminating low percentage choice. Essentially staying within your game, not frantically trying to change something which you can’t do. We all have the skills for this; however, it requires awareness, observation, and being open. It would require the player to trust their instincts, intuition and process. No longer forcing, rather approaching competition not as a threat but as a challenge from a calmer, clearer and more grounded place. Essentially doing less but being more. Basically, doing the basics better. This track recognizes that we are good enough and our charge actually lies in getting out of our way, letting our light shine, and maximizing not just the physical tools but, also the mental. If we are honest with ourselves. We all can
benefit one way or another by slowing down and taking the time to accept, breathe, and be curious. This momentary pause will create clarity in the face challenges. It will help to be more resilient and allow you to respond to situations with choice. You are first and foremost a whole human; sport is what you do, not who you are. What I call a Whole Human Athletes. The charge is to bring your heart, energy, and spirit to what you do. The journey is not about perfection, it’s not personal, there’s nothing to prove. Just play.
Next time you notice yourself over-trying; take a step back, pause, to take a breath. Feel your feet connecting to the ground. You can even ask yourself… What would it feel like if my jaw was loose? Notice how you loosen up. Then bring your attention to a calming image or sight in your visual field (i.e. a tree beyond the court). Recognize, there is no need to over try and do more, rather just do what you’re doing a bit better. Trust yourself, your game, and give your best. Just play.
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 e-mail rob@insidethezone.com, by visiting insidethezone.com, following on Instagram @insidethezone
Kids get on the courts this fall! Time for Advantage Junior Programs!
Classes start in September. Sign up today! Go to advantagejuniorprograms.com Players ages 4 and up learn to serve, rally and play “real tennis” customized for kids!
Players 7 and up love this blend of group lessons, special events and more!
Convenient locations across NYC Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club 212.594.0554
New York Tennis Club 718.239.7919
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 212.935.0250
QuickStart 646.884.9644
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
43
Necesito El Ritmo: The Importance Of Rhythm In The Spanish Method By Chris Lewit “Necesito el ritmo,”—“I need (the) rhythm”—is a common phrase heard on the tennis court in Spain, both from players and coaches. Rhythm, cadence, timing, and control are essential aspects of the Spanish style of training. What is rhythm and why is it important in Spain? How do you achieve good rhythm? Let’s explore Spanish rhythm in more detail. Spanish rhythm can mean many things Rhythm can mean many things in the Spanish style. For example, there is a rhythm when hitting the ball: You can see it and even hear it. There is rhythm to the footwork and movement on the court. There is a rhythm to playing on the red clay courts. There is rhythm to match play. And there is rhythm to the drills and exercises performed in practice. In Spain, coaches search for rhythm in these myriad areas: Rhythm of the hands Rhythm of the hands means the technical swing. In Spain, there is an obsession with creating a fast racquet head while maintaining control of the body. Maximum acceleration is achieved by slowly starting the racquet during the backswing— after the initial unit turn—leading to a crescendo of racquet speed into the forward swing to the ball. There is a smooth slow to fast buildup. This pathway to maximum acceleration should not be jagged or abrupt, “no bruscos”, as Toni Nadal likes to say. At the end of the swing, players in Spain—and especially in the Toni Nadal and Lluis Bruguera Methods— are taught to pause or “pausa” at the end of the follow through. For example, Nadal was taught by Toni to 44
tap his upper arm with his racquet for his pause at the end of the forehand swing. Watch Rafa practice or warmup and you will see his biceps tap. This pause helps to balance the body and organize the technique before the recovery. Thus, the rhythm of the Spanish swing is typically slow to fast, with a pause at the end of the finish. I see many players with very chaotic swing paths and rough technique who would benefit from the Spanish approach. Rhythm of the feet Spanish players are famous for their footwork. They demonstrate grace and balance when moving around the court. These traits are due to their obsession with movement and getting the body in a good balanced position to receive the ball. Watching Spanish players move is a beautiful sight to behold, especially on clay. Legendary Spanish coach Pato Alvarez likened movement on the court to a dance, and he developed a unique movement and balance training style he dubbed “Doble Ritmo”, or double rhythm. Pato was obsessed with the rhythm of the feet and argued that his movement style should be practiced every day through repetitions. While not every Spanish system agrees with Pato’s double ritmo philosophy, they all empathize moving fluidly on the court. In general, good players flow around the court quickly with good balance and body control. Bad players are clumsy and often move with inefficiencies. Their movements often look chaotic and slow. The Spanish are experts at improving the movement of players. Rhythm of red clay Red clay has its own unique rhythm. The surface is very slow and leads to
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
longer rallies. The ball bounces higher and sits up for the players to strike. There is a slower beat to rallies on red clay and players in Spain are attuned to this rhythm. Spanish players are always seeking rhythm on red clay, and thus they often look to extend rallies and grind rather than always striking first during points. Rhythm in a match While not unique to Spain, players there are taught to manage the rhythm of a match, controlling the time and tempo to achieve maximum advantage. Pato Alvarez, the great Spanish coach, famously said that the best players control everything around them in their environment. Spanish players learn to command the rhythm of a match by organizing their mind, their rituals, what they want to do with the ball tactically, and the external elements that they can control. Rhythm in training Spanish training has a unique rhythm because, across the country, academies and coaches tend to teach with unique constraints and parameters. For example, Spain is famous for its two player per court ratio, which allows for one player to train while another rests. Long repetitions of 20 or more consecutive balls in drills are also commonplace in Spain, and this type of extreme repetition builds incredible patience, focus, and cardiovascular stamina. “La pared”, the wall, is a famous Spanish drill where players develop consistency and control with long repetitions of sometimes hundreds of consecutive hits without a rest. Players who fall in love with the Spanish system tend to enjoy the flow of practice that comes from these unique aspects of the Spanish style.
In Spain, you cannot have rhythm if you don’t have control: 1. Control of the technique This means a smooth acceleration and a swing that is not jagged or choppy. Lifting up and creating good net clearance and topspin are important elements of a controlled swing. Control of the body and technique during peak acceleration is also an obsession in Spain. 2. Control of the body This means balance and postural control. I see players who frequently flail at the ball and play with a chaotic body. In Spanish systems, control of the body and balance are obsessions. In addition, physical and muscular endurance are developed so the body never fails the athlete. A player who is not fit will eventually lose body control. 3. Control of the mind In Spain, players are taught to develop a long attention span and deep concentration. Players who are impatient or impulsive do not develop a good rhythm for the game. 4. Control of the emotions As Toni Nadal speaks to frequently, without control of the emotions all is
lost on the tennis court. It is impossible to master the game without good emotional control. When a player’s emotions run too hot or he feels anxiety or embarrassment or other powerful emotions, these feelings can undermine focus and control of the mind, body, and technique. Emotional control underpins all of the elements that lead to good rhythm. 5. Control of the situation and your opponent As mentioned previously, the legendary Spanish coach Pato Alvarez always says that the greatest champions are able to manipulate and control all the variables in a match to their advantage. If a player does not handle these situations well, the rhythm of the game will be sacrificed. Conclusion In the end, one way to appreciate Spanish training is to understand that control of all these factors is paramount. Control is at the heart of the Spanish
method. Control brings harmony to the game, reduces anxiety on the court, and leads to a beautiful flow—or rhythm. I meet many players who come to me for training and on assessment they are very arrhythmic—like a dysfunctional heart muscle. I see my work as finding control and bringing harmony and rhythm to my players’ game. How is your rhythm? Next time you are out on the court, analyze your own rhythm—or if you are a coach or parent— observe the rhythm of your player. If you notice a lack of control, and a chaotic approach to the game in any of the areas I have mentioned above (hands, feet, or mind for example) consider making adjustments to your training methods to develop more control, which will lead to better rhythm, and ultimately less anxiety—and more success— on the court. On my podcast, The Prodigy Maker Show Episode 50, we discussed this same topic. Check it out for further learning on Spanish rhythm. Vamos!
Chris Lewit is a former number one for Cornell and pro circuit player. He is a highperformance coach, educator, and the author of two best-selling books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and The Tennis Technique Bible. He has coached numerous top 10 nationallyranked players and is known for his expertise in building the foundations of young prodigies. Chris coaches in NYC and year-round at his high performance tennis academy in Manchester, VT, where players can live and train the Spanish Way full-time or short-term. He may be reached by phone at (914) 462-2912, e-mail Chris@chrislewit.com or visit ChrisLewit.com.
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
45
Lean on Me
Help for parents when the pressure is on By Mike Barrell
you as the all-seeing oracle of all knowledge. It may be that you have not been to a tournament before or the way that the new club runs its program is different to the previous one. The pressure is on to find answers.
ost things in sport as in parenting are not objective. We are all products of the environment we grow and live in, and we all see the world, and probably the value of tennis a little differently. As a parent there are times when you are completely confident in your decision and other times when you may need a coach too. It’s normal, who among us as parents has never made a mistake or wished we had access to more of different information. Many people around us forget that there are times when your child is likely to look at you for answers, even though you may not have them, and it’s you that is feeling the pressure. So, I will explore six key times when it’s ok to ask a coach for a little help and just check yourself to make sure you are happy with the steps you are taking. I call these times flag moments. Times when we are under pressure to do the right thing and times when you should stop, ponder and consider what the next move might be. Flags stir emotions and raise awareness and so here are six, that might help you as a parent on your child’s tennis journey. This article looks at the first three of those times.
2. When the wheels fall off the bus At some point there will be an unexpected blip in your child’s results or progress. Maybe your child loses a match they were expected to win, or your child is upset because they didn’t make the team. It’s time to be the stable support system for your child.
1. The First Flag—it’s all new to me When anything is new or your first, your child is likely to look upwards to
Steps: Remember the bumps in the road help our kids to grow. My daughter gave me some great advice, after a hard day
M
46
Steps: Do your research online and find out as much as you can from other people. Call ahead and make sure you know where you are going or who you need to connect with. And while we live in the digital world a call rather than an email or message will help to start a relationship that might make this first experience easier. Ask questions and be honest about being new to this environment. “Hey Tournament Referee, this is my child’s first tournament so we may need some help navigating the day.”
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
she had handled with ease she said, “Dad I have never read a book that said, once upon a time there was a princess and she lived happily ever after!” The bumps in the road are there to help you cope with challenges that will happen. They make us stronger and more capable. Focusing on behaviors is also key for this and every challenge. The fastest way to the top of a mountain is in a helicopter but the problem with that approach is that there is no skill or achievement in getting there. When you watch a match ask yourself was my child respectful, did they give it all they have, did they try to find a solution when things were not working and did they deal with the adversity that they faced in the encounter? If they did all these things, then they maximized the opportunity that the match presented on that day and should be praised for their application. A tennis match is a battle and sometimes the opponent is just better and other times you are just not having your best day. Results are not objective in the way that athletics are, people are trying to stop you and it’s the behaviors that shape the tennis journey your child will make not the result today. 3. When your child plants the flag It might seem a little strange that the
next flag is when your child enjoys a big victory or celebration. How could that be a time to check yourself? The reality is that although we all dream of the shiny trophies it’s still the effort that we put in that has the real value. You can’t win by focusing on winning, just like you can’t get to the top of a mountain just by wishing your way there. When your child wins big it is not about that one day but about all the time, work, and effort that they and those around them have put in. Steps: Celebrate the behaviors that got your child there. Remind them you are proud of the way in which they have applied themselves not just on the day but on the weeks and months before. The trophy or accolade is great, but the journey is the tough part that you should be proud of. Share the gratitude with the coaches and support team. Watch a pro tour event and you will always
see top players thank their box in the presentation ceremony. A simple note from your child to thank their coach is a great reminder to your child, will be very gratefully received by the coach, and may even help motivate them to go the extra mile when needed later down the track. As I age I have come to a realization, as much as, expertise and help was and is all around me, in order to feel like I was in control I used to keep the door closed rather than open it and look for answers.
Being a parent of a child in sport is a multi-faceted role and although many may judge our actions, including our own children from time to time, one which came without a manual. As coaches we want the very best for your child on the court and off and we know that while our role may be challenging at times, yours is infinitely harder, so if there is anything we can do to help feel free to do a little leaning! In the next edition of New York Tennis Magazine, I will explore the other three times!
Hailing from the UK and a coach for more than 30 years, Mike Barrell is the Executive Director of Tennis for SPORTIME Clubs. A coach for over 30 years he is a Level Five LTA Coach, a former PTR Professional of the Year, and ITF Expert. As a coach and consultant around the world he has worked and delivered training in over 80 countries, supporting the development of tennis in five continents. He has been a keynote speaker at three ITF Worldwide Conferences, and presented at multiple USPTA World Conferences, PTR International Symposia, plus multiple National Conferences including USTA events.
Foor a Fun & Competitivee Co-Ed Team Tennis Experience!
• All teams compete in a WT TT format • Four players each night • Advanced, advanced intermediate i and intermediate e levels to promote competit • Matches are played Monday M to Thursday evenings for f 2 hours
Introdu ucing a New Division! HI-FIVE,, the fun new divission for team building and professional networking! For those teams that are loo looking oking for a less competitive format, w want to get in shape, or just get their old rus rusty order, sty tennis skills back in working orde er, we introduce our new Hi-FIVE division division, n, that incorporates heart pumping fit fitness tness drills, tenniss skills drills and fun games.
www.m metrotennis.com Contactt Luis Espinoza for more information n at: Luis@metrotennis.com or call 212-244-2845
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
47
2022 New York Boys’ High S
Hunter Takes Down Bronx Science to Win PSAL “A” Title The Hunter Hawks won the PSAL “A” Division Championship after battling and defeating not only the brutally hot weather conditions, but a tough Bronx Science Wolverines team. The intense heat in Queens was undoubtedly on the minds of both teams, with temperatures reaching 94 degrees at certain points throughout the match. “I think they managed it well,” said Hunter coach Cheng Mannix. “They knew to keep hydrated and they knew everything that was at stake, so they just fought right through it, and in the end it may have come down to who handled it better.” The team’s championship win was clinched by third singles player, sophomore Nikita Staniloae, who sealed the Hawk’s title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory. Staniloae was thrilled to be the one to seal Hunter’s firstever championship victory: “It was really exciting. I kind of did feel a lot of pressure toward the end there, but I was able to pull out the win in the end.” The sophomore echoed his coach's sentiment regarding the incredible heat the players dealt with, stating: “In the beginning I was really nervous that I wasn’t going 48
to be able to play my best tennis because of the heat, but I just concentrated on the game and it worked out.” Hunter’s two doubles teams both came up big for the team, as David Pomerantz and Rahul Vasudev secured a first doubles victory for the Hawks, while the team of Jeffrey Tsai and Weston White also contributed what would be a key doubles win in Hunter’s eventual victory. Coach Mannix was thrilled with every part of his team's performance, as for the first time ever, the Hunter Hawks stood as champions. “They were amazing out there, every single one of them, like they have been all season. They just really believed, went out there and did it today.”
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
School Recap
Frederick Douglass Academy Goes Undefeated, Wins PSAL NYC “B” Championship Coming into this season, Frederick Douglass Academy had high expectations for itself. With a dynamic singles lineup, and a veteran leading the way in doubles, the Lions knew that this season could be a special one. “We had high expectations for sure,” said head coach Patrick Mangan. “We had four players that play tennis yearround, so we were confident in our lineup.” Those expectations culminated in a 4-1 victory by Frederick Douglass Academy over Bard to capture the New York City PSAL “B” Division Championship. In the final, Shawn-Mitchell Yon notched a 6-1, 6-3 victory at first singles, a 6-0, 6-0 win from Jeremy Victoria at second singles, and a 6-1, 6-1 triumph from Joshua Bey at third singles. Derwin Guzman & Alejandro Inoa won 6-3, 6-3 at first doubles to round out the scoring for Frederick Douglass Academy. Ezra Mellor & Micah Killmer were 6-0, 6-3 winners at second doubles to earn Bard’s lone point in the finals. “What made our team special was that we were all on the same page, and by that I mean we had a goal and we let nothing get in the way of that,” said Yon. “We stayed focused from the very first match up until the last. The bond that my
coach, teammates and I was surely the strongest reason for our success.” Mangan gives a lot of credit to the team success to the leadership of Guzman, the team’s senior captain. Guzman played first singles as a freshman, but when players such as Yon, Victoria and Bey joined the team, Guzman moved into the first doubles spot. While many people would be upset or complain about the supposed demotion, Guzman did the opposite. He embraced his new role, playing excellent tennis at first doubles, and providing the necessary leadership for his team. “Without his leadership, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we did,” said Mangan. “Our strength came from his selflessness, and allowed us to have a strong singles lineup while also solidifying doubles. He did a great job with his partner and the younger players. He brought a lot of team spirit, and helped make this season a lot of fun. He had the attention of the top players on the team because they could see how much he cared about them and winning.” The Eagles of Frederick Douglass Academy embodied what it means to be a team, and through its talent and camaraderie, was able to go through the PSAL season undefeated and capture the city title. “We had a lot of fun this season,” added Mangan. “It was an exciting year and the kids did a great job of staying focused throughout.”
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
49
2022 new york boy’s high school recap continued from page 49
Xavier Wins CHSAA Championship A year ago, the Xavier Knights were competing in the “AAA” division of the Catholic High School Athletic League (CHSAA). The Knights compiled a great season, ultimately winning the AAA title, and as a result, made the decision to move up into the AA division, the most competitive one in the CHSAA. “Winning the title last year really sparked some good conversations in our Athletic Department about a potential move to the AA division,” said Xavier head coach Stephanie Boccuzzi. “At the start of the season we had over 35 students tryout for 12 spots. From the very first week of tryouts, I said to my assistant coach that I believed we had the talent and the drive to win the league. And, that was the narrative the whole season.”��With that belief and confidence, the Knights accomplished the goal they set out at the onset of the season. After narrowing down its roster to the 12 players who would compete for the rest of the year, Xavier was confident it could compete with the best players and teams in the CHSAA. Despite being its first season in the highest division, Xavier was excited for the opportunity to prove itself. “It was challenging no doubt,” added Boccuzi. “We battled injuries, COVID and the difficulties of the school year, but our team culture grew and developed into what 50
all coaches hope to see among teammates: respect, dedication, commitment and camaraderie. We worked harder at practice with each passing match, we learned from each loss, and we built relationships with one another…the boys believed they could win and that was a very palpable feeling.” That feeling was crucial as Xavier squared off against St. Francis in the championship match, which was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Going into the match, St. Francis had won the previous two regular season showdowns between the two teams. “We practiced tough, worked on strategy off the court, and analyzed our areas of weakness,” Boccuzi said. “And we came ready to play.” Xavier was led by its doubles play, as it picked up victories from Andrew Beliwine & Karl Abboud at first doubles and Liam Merrill & Henry Joyce at second doubles. At third singles, Sohan Shah delivered a key victory to help seal the city championship for Xavier. “It was an extremely close match but our team has so much heart and love for one another and the sport, and I really believe that carried us and was the source of our success,” said Boccuzi. “I am humbled to have had the honor to coach this team in particular. To have two wins back-to-back in two different divisions is the dream, and I believe we’ll continue to have a bright future in New York City tennis.”
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Yon Wins PSAL Singles Title For many top junior tennis players, the decision to play high school tennis can be a tough one sometimes. But for Shawn Mitchell Yon, playing for Frederick Douglass Academy has been a privilege, and the junior enjoyed a fantastic season this past spring. His team captured the PSAL “B” Division title, and then a couple of weeks after that, Yon captured the PSAL Individual Singles title. “This season was very special for me. The opportunity to clinch a city championship for my school has been one of my dreams since I was in Elementary School,” said Yon. “Between winning the PSAL team title and all of the individual accolades, this season was the best I have ever experienced, especially throughout my whole tennis career so far.” While Yon proved to be the best player in New York City tennis this season, he gives credit to his Frederick Douglass Academy teammates and the bond they shared for what made this season so special to him.
DRS Wins MYHSAL Team Championship The Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School (DRS) for Boys captured the title in the Metropolitan Yeshiva High School Athletic League Championship, defeating Flatbush 5-0. The championship took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as the players competed with Arthur Ashe Stadium in the background. DRS completed the undefeated season thanks to wins in all five flights.
Yon embraced competing for and with his teammates, and is excited for next year. “This season truly showed me what it is like to be on a team for the first time, considering in tennis you are normally all by yourself,” he said. “I definitely learned a thing or two about myself.”
Jacob Pfeiffer led the way at first singles, with Moshi Grossman playing second singles and Ezra Dubin competing in the third singles position. In doubles, Ephraim Bochko & Isaac Wilamowsky went undefeated throughout the season at first doubles, while Yoni Scheinman & Jack Radinsky didn’t lose in the second doubles flight all year. “I could not be more proud of the way this team has developed throughout the season,” said head coach Steven Brody. “This year we had our deepest team ever.”
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
51
2022 new york boy’s high school recap continued from page 51
Stephan Gershfeld says he is ready to defend his state title next season
Hewlett's Gershfeld Captures New York State Singles Title For Stephan Gershfeld, winning a state title was something he always envisioned. Since he can remember, just competing on the U.S. Open courts was a dream of his. And this spring at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, that became a reality as the Hewlett sophomore captured the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) singles title, defeating Emil Grantcharov of New Rochelle 6-2, 6-2 in the championship match. “It’s amazing, but it still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Gershfeld said afterwards. “Ever since I was in seventh grade, I dreamed of playing here at the U.S. Open, and now I am a champion here. It’s a dream come true.”The two-time Nassau County singles champion came out firing in the final, breaking Grantcharov early in the first set and never looking back to take the opener. In the second set, Grantcharov was able to push deeper into the service games of Gershfeld, and had a chance to break his serve in the fourth game. Gershfeld fought off the potential break though, holding serve to even the set at 2-2, and then proceeded to break Grantcharov in the ensuing game. “That was definitely a mentally tough game, and just to pull through there kind of gave me the edge,” said Gershfeld. “My confidence grew with it and I was able to take off from there.” Gershfeld capitalized on the momentum, breaking one more time for a 5-2 lead and creating an insurmountable lead. Serving for the state title, Gershfeld closed it out on his first match point as he ripped a forehand winner past Grantcharov. “I love how he kept his cool and stayed positive today,” said Hewlett head coach Joyce Narciso-Raikos. “The match was on his racquet to either win or lose, and it’s my job to give him 52
that belief that he is the better player and he was going to win the match. That’s what we have been working on since yesterday, making sure he stayed positive and confident.” Gershfeld and Grantcharov were familiar with each other, having competed in many different junior tournaments. The state final was the ninth time they played against one another, with each player having won four of the previous eight matches. “This is a big rivalry, we’ve been playing against each other since we were 10-years-old,” said Gershfeld. “The first time we ever played actually was here at a USTA tournament, and he beat me pretty good. We’ve gone back and forth throughout the years, and I’m glad I was able to win this one.” Gershfeld’s title continues the success of Hewlett tennis at the state championships in recent years. His older sister Nyla won the state doubles title alongside Rachel Arbitman in 2019. The year before that, Arbitman won the state singles title, and in 2015 it was Hewlett’s Kseniya Zonova who won the singles title. “We gotta keep the title here at Hewlett,” said Gershfeld. “I’m looking forward to coming back here next year to try and defend it.” The Ward Melville pairing of Aron Burstzyn & Shashank Pennabadi won the third-place match on Saturday, defeating Chappaqua’s Jason Wei & Matthew Wallis 7-6(1), 6-2.“This was the last high school match ever for me, so it’s a great way to finish,” said Burstzyn. “Unfortunately we couldn’t win yesterday, but glad we were able to pull through today and end on a win.” Pennabadi added: “It was a fun weekend with some challenging matches. We couldn’t pull it out yesterday but we played very well today.” In the consolation final, Hills East’s Dylan D’Agate & Krithik Madisetty fell to Williamsville East’s Grant Wang & Arjun Pindiprolu in three sets.
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Harrison’s Griff, Marino Team Up to Win NY State Doubles Title Michael Griff & Alex Marino teamed up in doubles just prior to their sectional championships. The pair from Harrison High School are typically singles players, but joined forces to try and do something special on the doubles court. “We played singles throughout the season, but teamed up in doubles for sectionals and states,” said Marino. “We played really well together during sectionals so we thought we could take this tournament.” That thought would turn out to be prescient. Griff & Marino knocked off Owen Zerbib & Jinyang Li of Mamaroneck 6-4, 6-4 in the title match to claim the state championship. “It’s amazing,” Marino added. “There’s so many great players in this tournament. It’s the greatest accomplishment of my tennis career for sure.” Griff added: “We have great chemistry on the court. He helps me with my game, I help him, and we just play really well together.”
Wheatley Wins NY State Small School Championship By Frank Cannistra The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center played host to the Small School State Championship match, which saw Wheatley overcome a very competitive Byram Hills team by a final score of 3-2. The victory for Wheatley not only solidifies them as small school state champions, but completes an undefeated season. Coach Herman Lim was ecstatic at his team’s victory, stating: “I’m speechless. It's been such an unbelievable season, undefeated, trying to keep these guys on track. I keep reminding them that we’re due for one and these kids have been just amazing.” Most notably of their three wins, first singles player Kavin Shukla was able to secure a victory for Wheatley in a very intense match that had the crowd extremely boisterous throughout. Shukla dealt with quite a bit of heckling and a big second-set deficit to win the match 6-2, 7-5, and clinch the state championship.
Elsewhere during the match, Wheatley singles players Saje Menon and Aaron Raja provided the team with just the right amount of wins, as Byram Hills was able to secure both doubles matches. Shukla was proud of his fellow teammates for coming up with the victories that put him in position to clinch the state title. “We’re really close, me and these guys, they all work hard…well at least some of them”, Shukla said jokingly. “Thankfully singles did what they had to do," Lim added. "Byram Hills had great doubles play today, so our games came up huge when we needed them most.”
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
53
2022 new york boy’s high school recap continued from page 53
Mamaroneck Defeats Commack to Win Large School State Title Mamaroneck High School took home New York State Large School Team Championship, defeating Commack 5-2 in the title match. The victory was clinched by the first doubles team of Nate McMillan and Conrad Gorski, who were elated that they were able to secure the championship for their team. Gorski said: “It felt absolutely amazing, these guys worked so hard and now everyone was counting on us. It came down to us and we did it.” The clinching victory was a sigh of relief for Mamaroneck as prior to Gorski and McMillan’s win, Mamaroneck’s 3-0 lead over Commack had shrunk down to 3-2, leaving immense pressure on the remaining two teams to score a win. McMillan noted that they understood the pressure, but tried not to let it get to them. “We’re a really close team, we’re used to relying on everyone and moments where our teammates rely on us. We were ready for it.” Mamaroneck coach Tim Hooker was thrilled with the play of his team following the championship victory, stating: “I love the way they stayed in the moment, they never got ahead of themselves. They really honed in
Horace Mann Wins San Marco Invitational Twice a finalist, Horace Mann is now the champion. Horace Mann defeated Horace Greeley 5-1 in the 9th Annual Jim San Marco High School Tennis Invitational. The San Marco Invitational started through a grant to honor longtime tennis coach and athletics director, Jim San Marco, at Edgemont High School. Past tournament host schools include Edgemont, Scarsdale, Bronx HS of Science, Fordham Prep, Riverdale Country School, Rye Country Day, Syosset, and Harrison. The “San Marco format” is three singles and three doubles. 3-3 ties are broken by a 10-point doubles tiebreaker, contested by any two players a coach chooses from their roster. Horace Mann’s Alejandro Espejel was named the Tournament’s MVP. 54
on every point and just focused on what’s right in front of them, and I think that’s a huge factor in us doing so well this season.” Commack coach Jimmy Delevante was proud of the season his guys put in and the improvements he saw in his players throughout the season. “I’m pretty happy with this season, I really feel like it just came down to a couple of key points that didn’t go our way but, other than that these guys were awesome all year.” A disappointing end to a phenomenal season for Commack, and a championship celebration for Mamaroneck.
Horace Mann 5, Horace Greeley 1 Singles l Max Meyer (HM) def Marko Arboleda: 4-1 ret. l Jason Wei (HG) def Lukas Frangenberg: 6-3, 6-1 l Alejandro Espejel (HM) def Matthew Wallis: 7-5, 6-4 Doubles l Damian Stellings & James Grant (HM) def Evan Gold & Adam Fink: 6-3, 6-1 l Connor Bernard & Luke Peng (HM) def Ben Singer & Sam Mathes: 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 l Simon Schackner & Josh Winiarsky (HM) def Brayden Berwin & Andrew Seidman: 6-2, 6-0
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
COMING IN AUGUST
Distribution scheduled for 08/29/22 This edition will feature: • 2022 U.S. Open Preview • Girls’ High School Preview • Hamptons/Summer Events Recap • NYJTL Bronx Open Recap
Print distribution across New York at 300+ locations. Digital distribution across website and social media pages, and the e-Edition will be e-mailed out to our full data base.
Don’t miss the advertising opportunities in the next edition of New York Tennis Magazine September/October 2022! Facebook-www.Facebook.com/NewYorkTennis Instagram-@NYTennisMag • Twitter-@NYTennisMag
SPECIAL U.S. OPEN EDITION Submissions for both advertisingNYTennisMag.com and editorial are due by August 5, 2022 • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine 55 For more information, please call 516-409-4444 or e-mail Advertise@NYTennisMag.com
NYJTL Mayor
he annual Mayor’s Cup was played this spring at The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, but for the first time it was played under a new name: The NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup. As a longtime tennis supporter, NYJTL board member and former New York City Mayor, David Dinkins was an integral part of the NYC tennis scene, and he did so much to help grow the game and impact kids. He passed away last year, but his name will live on as the namesake of the prestigious
T
56
Mayor’s Cup. The Mayor Dinkins Cup is the largest free junior interscholastic tennis
competition in the nation, with players from all over New York City representing public, parochial, and
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
private schools. This year, there was 540 entries from public, private, and parochial schools in elementary, middle, and high school divisions and more than 500 kids in individual competitions representing all five boroughs and a total of 283 schools. In the Girls 18s division, Sophia Luo captured the title as she notched a victory over Patrycja Filonik in the championship match. “There were some tough matches,
r Dinkins Cup
especially in the final, and really tough conditions too, it was really hot throughout the week,” said Luo. “It means a lot to win this. I played Mayor’s Cup when I was younger and never made it through the early rounds, so to be in the finals and win it is really special.” Jake David & Soren RudinAulenbach teamed up to win the Boys Varsity Doubles division. “This is the best tournament of the year, without a doubt, so we’re so happy to be able to win it,” said Rudin-Aulenbach. “We have the perfect games to complement each other. He has the huge serve and good volleys, and I can hit the ball well from the baseline, so we try to tee off and it worked out.” Coming through victorious in the Boys Varsity Team division was Horace Mann. “It’s definitely a big deal to win this, especially for the seniors,” said Horace Mann head coach Patrick
Westoo. “The thing I’m most happy about is how well they compete even when they weren’t playing their best. It shows how bad they wanted it, and they played together as a team.” For Shawn-Mitchell Yon, winning the Mayor’s Cup has special meaning. Yon was one of the first players who trained at The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning when it opened,
and he has been a part of NYJTL programming for more than a decade. “This is where I first learned how to play tennis. I am one of the first kids to have trained here when they opened, and it has allowed me to travel to all boroughs training with some great coaches,” he said. “The opportunity to continued on page 58
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
57
cary leeds center hosts nyjtl mayor dinkins cup continued from page 57
play in one of the city’s biggest tennis tournaments is a dream come true every year I play, and winning it this year was amazing. I have been dreaming of winning Mayor’s Cup since I was in third grade, and the last few years I made the semifinals before losing, so to win it this year is a huge accomplishment.” Below is the full list of winners and finalists at the 2022 NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup:
2022 Mayor Dinkins Cup Final Awards Winners CATEGORY
WINNER
RUNNER-UP
Boys Varsity Team
Horace Mann High School
Hunter College High School
Boys Varsity Singles
Shawn-Mitchell Yon
Erik Johansson
Girls Varsity Singles
Sophia Luo
Patrycja Filonik
Boys Varsity Doubles
Jake David & Soren Rudin-Aulenbach
Erik Johansson & Arjun Agostinho
Girls Varsity Doubles
Margaux Vasilescu & Elle Brown
Chase Thomas & Kate Bondarenko
Boys Middle School Singles
David Clarke
Lucas Zhang
Girls Middle School Singles
Debra Gil
Emma Palacio
Boys Middle School Doubles
Hudson Marston & Kai Levinger
Aaron Tokarz & Lielle Assayag
Girls Middle School Doubles
Sophia Chi-Chen & Debra Gil
Lilliana Chou & Elizabeth Sabaev
Boys Elementary School
Kobie Aranbayev
Kellan Stratton
Daniella Yoguyman
Sarabeth Hoo
Alexander Ferreira
Tate Halladay
Mary Podkhyneychenko
Zara Henry-Joseph
Singles - Yellow Girls Elementary School Singles - Yellow Boys Elementary School Singles - Green Girls Elementary School Singles - Green 58
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Champions Crowned at USTA Eastern Junior Team Tennis Sectionals
14U Intermediate
14U Advanced
18U Intermediate
18U Advanced
he USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows played host to the 2022 USTA Eastern Junior Team Tennis Sectional Championships, with the top teams from across the area gathering to compete for section supremacy. “Team tennis is so special because in most individual sports you don’t get to use character traits such as collaboration, teamwork, empathy and leadership,” said Gustavo Loza. “Those types of skills are going to be helpful for these kids when they play in high school and college, as well as other aspects in life. We witnessed great quality matches as well as great camaraderie and team spirit during the whole weekend, which makes this program special.” Below are the results:
very often that everyone can come together and get a chance to play,” said CourtSense coach Rohan Goetzke.”
T
14U Intermediate l Winner: Team Gritty (Southern) l Finalist: Sportime Lynbrook (Long Island) “I’m very proud of the way they played today,” said Vania De Los Reyes, the coach of Team Gritty. “They faced and overcame a lot of different challenges today while enjoying tennis at the same time. I love junior team tennis. This was something I wanted to do for my kids.” 14U Advanced l Winner: CourtSense (New Jersey) l Finalist: Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning (Metro) “It's a team event so it's always great. It doesn't come
18U Intermediate l Winner: MTDZ (Southern) l Finalist: Binghamton (Western) “I’m very proud of my team today,” said coach Mpande Simunyola. “We started very slow, yesterday we thought we wouldn't reach here, but we really pulled it together. Junior Team Tennis is so interesting; it brings the children to work together as a team. I truly believe it's the best way to introduce kids to this game." Yume Abdel-Rahman, a player on the MTDZ team, added: “I love JTT. Competing through everything with my friends makes this sport so much more meaningful." 18U Advanced l Winner: Game Set Match (Long Island) l Finalist: USTA National Tennis Center (Metro) “A lot of these players grew up together, I think that helped them a lot,” said Game Set Match coach Tito Perez. “They were inspired, for a lot of them this is their first chance at Nationals, and for some it might be their last." Sportsmanship Winners l 14U Intermediate: Emma Palacio l 14U Advanced: Miguel Londono l 18U Intermediate: Lily Lengyez l 18U Advanced: Yu Tanimoto
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
59
Develop Your Player’s Tennis Brain: Perceptual-Cognitive Ability By Cinto Casanova
henever I go to see my junior players compete in a tournament, one of the key points I’m looking for to see is if they are able to take an active role in the match, make their own decisions on the court and try to lead the points with their game. I do not mean to lead just in score, but to lead in decisions taken, not just following opponent’s decisions. It is common to see players (even skilled players) who are just reactive to their opponent’s decision, not active. Despite having good strokes and hitting skills, sometimes I fail to see the intention of their game. What are they trying to achieve when they hit cross court from a neutral position? If they have this intention, do they see when there is an opening? Do they actively seek to build up those openings? All this understanding of the game comes from how our players are able to perceive what is going on on the court. Not only perceptual skills are important, but also to know what are the important cues to search for. What is the important information that will allow them to make smart decisions within the point? The ability to perceive the important cues and make right decisions is the Perceptual-Cognitive Ability. According to Dr Faubert, one of the world leaders in Perceptual-Cognitive research and training, the difference between an elite player and a high-level player is in many cases “the ability to process
W
60
perceptual cues and enhance search strategies”. The Specific Tennis PerceptualCognitive Abilities are Anticipation, Spatial Reasoning, Pattern Recognition and Decision Making. These are abilities that can be trained on court with tennis drills and exercises. To work on these abilities, I often use exercises to help enhance the selfawareness on the court. I often use two exercises (with many variations) I consider fundamental to develop these abilities. In these exercises, players are asked to call out in loud voice different things: l To call out your own court position (defense, neutral, attack). It has to be called as soon as possible once your opponent has hit the ball. This is a good test to evaluate how actively is your player anticipating and reading opponent’s shots. l To call out your opponent’s court position. It has to be called as soon as possible, once you have hit the ball. It is a great way to anticipate and prepare for the next shot. For example, it is vital to understand that after a good baseline shot, your
opponent will probably be in defense so it is a good idea to step into the court because the next ball will probably be short. I like to use these two fundamental exercises in combination with patterns of play. For example, the point starts in a cross court to cross court pattern where both players are calling their own court position each time. Once a player can call “attack” with both feet inside the baseline, they are allowed to attack the open court and finish the point freely. Another variation with the same crosscourt to crosscourt start is to ask them to call the opponent’s court position each time; once they can call the opponents in “defense” mode, a dropshot is allowed (or open court attack, or both). There are multitudes of variations you can do with this type of exercise in combination with patterns of play. I encourage you to be creative and explore ways to help your players improve their Perceptual-Cognitive Abilities and their decision-making capacity. Let’s develop players that are not just reactive to opponents’ actions, but they are actively reading the game and making smart decisions on the court.
Cinto Casanova is the Director of Education and Talent Identification and Senior Coach at Centercourt Tennis Academy. He has held leading positions in Junior Player Development for over two decades in Japan, China and Spain. He has helped to develop top junior programs that produced successful national and international junior players. He may be reached at rc.cinto@gmail.com
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
New York’s Mitchel Leads Oneonta to Title in Final Season It’s always good to go out on top. That is just what New York native Lonnie Mitchel is doing, as the longtime head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams at SUNY Oneonta announced his retirement following this season. But before he left, Mitchel and the Red Dragons women captured the SUNYAC conference title this past spring. Oneonta took down three-time defending champions SUNY New Paltz 5-4 in the championship match. The Red Dragons advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it would defeat Lebanon Valley in the opening round before falling to Claremont-MuddScripps. "I am so proud of this team," stated Mitchel. "We had a great ride, and today, we just met up with a highly talented team. We poured our heart into every point and proved that we should be here. We are grateful for all the support we received, and this won't be the last time for SUNY Oneonta tennis at the national tournament." As a result, Mitchel was named the Coach of the Year in the conference, earning the title for the first time since 2015. "I have had four wonderful memories at SUNY Oneonta," explains Mitchel.
"The first one was getting hired, the second one was winning the SUNYAC title for women's tennis for the first time in school history, the third was to guide the men's tennis program into an extremely competitive nationally ranked conference. The fourth one was every day I got to spend at the college with the students, colleagues, co-coaches, and the administrators who helped guide us all to be the best we can be." Mitchel was hired in 2012 and led both programs at SUNY Oneonta for a decade "On behalf of the Athletic Department, I would like to thank and congratulate Lonnie on his retirement," said Athletic Director Ryan Hooper. "I'm excited for him to start the next chapter of his life with his family. In the 10 years that Lonnie has been coach of the men's and women's tennis teams, the programs have seen extraordinary growth. From the men finally joining an athletic conference within the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) in 2019, to the women winning its first ever SUNYAC Championship this spring and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. He has made a lasting impact on his student athletes and this department, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him
during my time at Oneonta. I wish him nothing but the best of luck in his retirement." Mitchel’s conference championship team featured a lot of local Long Island and New York City connections, including assistant coach Gianna Papini of Hewlett, and Staten Island’s Brianna Shaw and Julia Holtermann, Brooklyn’s Rebecca Macdonald and Manhattan’s Maxie Karen. "I must thank Tracey Ranieri, my first athletic director who took a chance on bringing me to the college and showed me so much faith and supported me every step of the way. Also, Ryan Hooper who supported our tennis program this past year continuing the work that we laid out bringing every goal we had for the programs to fruition and our Sports Information Director Geoff Hassard who tutored me when I was chosen to support his efforts in his office. Lastly, my cocoaches in athletics and colleagues in the Sports Management Department all allowed me to have the home I dreamed about in this chapter of my career. I am grateful to everyone, the college and the amazing student athletes who I am in awe of, without them we cannot be their coaches and teachers."
NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
61
Two Words
By Barbara Wyatt
"Do you know what helps me stay calm during pressure moments in tennis matches?" Margaret asked. I stopped mid-bite in a sandwich that traveled three hours in a crammed daypack, then bounced for miles on a trail with multiple switch backs. The bread was smooshed in the middle because I shoved a headlight into my pack at the last minute. A hawk soared above us. A striped chipmunk, no doubt waiting for fallen crumbs, darted underneath a fallen log. A rainbow trout splashed, then disappeared into the brilliant blue freshwater mountain lake where we stopped for lunch. A rich green canopy of forest surrounds us, and she's thinking of tennis? Me too. "Two words," she said. "When my muscles tighten or my stomach has butterflies, I say two words to regain my calm and stop thinking internally. Two words to prevent choking under pressure." I mentally flipped through tennis words like a rapid-fire rolodex, the business card organizer now only seen in movies from the 70's and 80's. A smorgasbord of three words rang out, 62
like "watch the ball," "left arm up," "turn your shoulder," and "bend your knees." I failed at finding only two words. I'm working on my follow-through this week; that's two words. Reminding myself to follow-through is good mechanics for a top spin ground stroke, but not effective when nerves make me error prone. Why do I fail (on occasion) to execute a solid put-away? Or doublefault on my serve? (Yes, I do that as well.) What did she mean by two words? "My two words are," she said, "'Trust' and 'Breathe.' I must trust that I have the skills and breathe to bring a steady calmness to my play." She has the skills. Margaret has an uncanny knowledge of court positioning and fluid tennis strokes as well as being a delightful teammate who plays a healthy competitive match. "When I think I'm falling down a stress spiral," she said. "I think trust in my skills and breathe. Those two words center me." When I am under stress on court, I
overthink and push aside motor memory obtained through hours of practice. Yet how do I fix the biomechanical problem (i.e., not following through) and get out of my head to let motor memory return? Rob Gray, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, gave a golfing example on how to resolve this challenge in his paper published by the Association for Psychological Science. A golfer grips the club too hard when they are stressed. Gray says a coach could advise the golfer "to imagine you have an open tube of toothpaste between your hands and contents must not be pushed out." This would fix the specific problem (squeezing the club), stop the internal anxiety (focus on an external tube of toothpaste) and allow a highly efficient muscle memory to take over. If you've made three errors in a row and your opponents are covering the court like cheetahs, what can you do? Two simple words, like "trust" and "breathe", may be the ticket to a win.
Barbara Wyatt is a Writer, Photographer, USTA Official, and Mobile App Developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by email at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
Photo courtesy of Darren Carroll
Cross Eye Dominance And Roger Federer’s Head Tilt By Steve Kaplan
here has been a lot of discussion and controversy in the tennis world lately over the need to adjust technique in accordance with front or cross eye dominance. Notable highprofile coach Patrick Mouratoglou has been outspoken on this topic and is an advocate of learning and modifying techniques based upon this technique. Specifically, Mouratoglou has spoken about the need to adapt a stance of "open" or "closed" based on eye dominance with the idea that getting the dominant eye closer to the ball will help you watch it better. It's interesting that so many coaches like Patrick anecdotally support the benefit of adjusting open and closed stance techniques to accommodate the dominant eye when the studies on this topic are not high quality and have conflicting/inconclusive findings. I would like to see more scientific support in this area and I try to keep an open mind about this topic, but I think it's worthwhile to examine the well supported, existing science to discuss how eye dominance might impact technique and player performance. Now here is where this topic gets interesting but also really, really complex. While we might not rotate our bodies differently because of cross eye dominance we can tilt our head differently to accommodate eye dominance differences. The great Roger Federer is a great
T
example of this technique. Here is an explanation and, please be warned, it is not easy to explain without a lot of science jargon. Let's start by understanding some basic bodily functions starting with the spine and working our way to the neck and head. Since the function of the cervical spine is to stabilize and maintain the head in a position that allows our eyes to be parallel to the ground. What we see in Roger is cervical flexion and extension. This position and this function are crucial for the "vestibular function", which is the system which assists in balance. This cervical flexion and extension allows Roger to make large movements to scan his surroundings so he can adjust to interact with the environment, in this case, the ball. This also aids in swallowing and helps to elevate the rib cage during inhalation. The bottom line here is that his head tilt (cervical flexion/extension) is the result of his inner ear detecting head rotation (angular acceleration) and linear motion and then adjusting by seeking a position that allows his eyes to be parallel to the ground while tracking the ball which greatly aids in his balance and
breathing. His cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls balance, is going to fine tune his head position to account for visual acuity differences in each eye. So if he is left eye dominant his head will tend to tilt naturally to accommodate this dominance because it is seeking visual parallel balance. In some studies it was found that this process is mostly controlled by several autonomic receptors that actually help build nerve pathways to ingrain this response. So there it is. Almost all of us have a "dominant" eye and while we may not be born with it, dominance usually develops. As most of us are not as gifted to naturally adjust as well as Roger, we can actively tilt our heads to help us balance better to accommodate eye dominance and see vast improvements in our game. Before undertaking such a tilt I think it's advisable to do a simple test to see which eye is your dominant one. I won’t describe it here but many YouTube videos make it very easy to do. Again, I know this article is highly technical. It is aimed to help coaches as much as players to understand the science behind this topic at a little higher resolution.
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, and executive director and founder of Serve & Return Inc. Many of the students Steve has closely mentored have gone to achieve great success as prominent members of the New York financial community, and in other prestigious professions. In 2017, Steve was awarded the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award by the USTA. He may be reached by e-mail at StevenJKaplan@aol.com. NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
63
court
6
New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz
Sloane Stephens Visits White House
American Sloane Stephens visited the White House in June as she took her anti-bullying platform to the most powerful house in the world. She visited with Vice President Kamala Harris who has launched a Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse. “Honored to have introduced Madam Vice President as she launched the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse,” Stephens wrote on Instagram. “We were joined by senior government officials, survivors and victim advocates who all shared experiences and recommendations for the Task Force.”
Wozniacki, David Lee Expecting Second Child Caroline Wozniacki announced on social media that her and husband David Lee are “ready for round 2”. The former world number one revealed a sonogram photo that shows she is expecting a second child. Their first child, daughter Olivia, was born last year.
Raducanu Joins Dua Lipa in Evian Ad
Nadal and Wife Maria Perello Expecting Baby According to HOLA, a Spanish newspaper, has reported that 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal and wife Maria Francisca Perello are expecting their first child together. Nadal and Perello have yet to formally announce the news, but it appears that Nadal’s 2022 year continues to get better.
64
New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu joined pop star Dua Lipa in a new Evian ad. The British teenager taught the pop star some basic tennis techniques, and Dua Lipa reciprocated by showing Raducanu some dance moves.
S? LO L OVE TENNIS A CAREER BEGINS B HERE Enhance your caree er with a Professional Ten e nis Management (PTM ) Certificate from Queens College-CUNY
Te ennis Management (PTM) Certificatte The Queens College-CUNY Professsional T Program offffers students the oppo ortunity to hone their tennis teaching, sales, marketing, program administration and facility management knowledge to pursue a care eer in the tennis industry. This three semester program combines on-court workshops with online and cclassroom learning and experiential learning through internships and job placement.
Visit www w..qc.cuny y..edu/pcs to learn more about the PTM Program at Queens College
67
New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2022 • NYTennisMag.com
© 2019 USTA. All rights reserved.
Your Dreams Have No Limits. Why Should S You our School? ? . . . . . .
.
. .
.
.
. .
.
Dwigh ht Global Offfers FLEXIBILIITY TO PURSUE TENNIS AT THE HIGHEST LE EVEL .
.
.
.
.
. . .
.
.
.
. . .
.
.
. .
.
A WORLD D-CLASS PRIVA ATE T SCHOOL EDUCATION T . . .
. .
. .
.
.
.
.
. .
.
“The flexibiility and support that I have rec eceived froom Dwight Gllobal hass allowed me to play freeely and without streess when I m on the t tennis court.”
.
High School of Hi
Michael Zheng Dwight G Gllobal Class of 2022 New York | London | Seoul | Shangh hai | Dubai NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine Columbia admissions@dwight.global • 212.724.2420 • ww ww.dwight.global Class of 2026
68