USPTA ADDvantage February 2021

February 2021

Growing Our Base From the CEO

Positive Takeaways

Vice President’s Message

Making the Basics Interesting

Master Professional Corner

Serving Aspects from a Singles Perspective Member Feature

Pickleball Perspective NetWork

Mark Bey, USPTA Elite Professional

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From the CEO USPTA

Growing Our Base

A

s many of you are aware, the global pandemic has caused our tennis industry to think differently and act differently. To truly impact our sport positively, the USTA, USPTA, PTR, ATA, ITA, Tennis Magazine/RSI, and the TIA came together last spring to create the Tennis Industry United Task Force. The TIU’s mission is to focus on the strengths and resources of its respective industry organizations to promote and ensure the continual growth of tennis in the USA. With all the major stakeholders at the table together addressing significant issues facing this great game during the past year (rather than working in our own individual silos), we were able to accomplish a great deal in a short period: the tennis facility grant program, the 2021 dues subsidy for USPTA members, recommendations on safety protocols for facilities to open and remain vibrant.

As 2020 wound down, the TIU began to turn its attention to other pressing needs that our industry demands.

Together, we will develop and implement a comprehensive, collaborative action plan that drives two core priorities for tennis: To mobilize tennis advocates across the country to promote the benefits of tennis, to attract non-players into the game, and to reengage lapsed players.

John R. Embree, USPTA CEO

To promote greater diversity and inclusion in overall tennis player participation and throughout the industry.

As far as number 1 above, we know for a fact that during the pandemic, tennis experienced a little “mini-boom” with families taking up tennis for the first time. While other sports were shut down, tennis is viewed as a healthy activity that is inherently socially distanced. We also know that many of our pros across the country were busier than they were preCOVID, which is excellent news. Thus, capturing those newbies and their families is going to be critical to expanding our base. Advocating for our sport through all segments of government and society, in general, is a strategic priority.

As for item 2, in the words of our President, Feisal Hassan — the USPTA had embarked on an aggressive track in 2020 to make our membership look more like America. Specifically, attracting more women into the tennis-teaching profession and building our base with coaches of color are two pillars of this strategy. Toward that end, I am proud to inform you of two steps the USPTA has taken to accomplish these tasks.

First, we collaborated with the Women’s Tennis Coaches Association (WTCA) and helped promote their virtual conference held last November. As we look to 2021, we will expand the relationship and partner on two educational events in the fall: one

will be in NYC during the US Open, and the other will be three weeks later during our World Conference in Las Vegas. By focusing on female coaches’ issues in today’s environment, we hope to recruit more women to pursue a tennis-teaching career and USPTA certification. More details about these two conferences will be forthcoming as the year progresses.

Secondly, the USPTA and the American Tennis Association (ATA) signed a historic and exclusive agreement in December to provide ATA coaches access to USPTA educational events throughout the country. The USPTA will also support the ATA National Championships when it is played here at the USTA National Campus in August and encourage African American coaches to seek USPTA certification. It is appropriate that we celebrate Black History Month in February with this announcement that leverages the strength of the USPTA within the community of African American players and coaches who aspire to elevate their tennis standards.

During these challenging times, organizations that can adapt and do things differently are the ones that will succeed and thrive. I am proud of how we have responded to this new world in which we live as we continue to remain relevant and forward-thinking. The USPTA has a strong voice on the TIU and will be steadfast in our efforts to grow our professional base from all communities. *

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 43

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Vice President’s Message USPTA

Positive Takeaways

A

s we slowly but optimistically ease into 2021, I want to remind everyone about many of the great things your staff, board, and members have been working on during our forced shutdowns. First, the World Headquarters has been fully functional, whether the team has worked from home or in the office — we routinely get questions answered and are kept up to date on the state of association activity.

Second, we are fortunate, more than most, that we operate a business deemed one of the safest during COVID restrictions. Even indoor facilities found secure ways to allow their members to continue playing. Our USPTA professionals are mindful about keeping students safe so that they’re able to take lessons still. Many events in 2020 had to be canceled or rescheduled, but we did have moments when tennis felt almost normal. I am grateful most of us can continue to earn a living, which is more than many Americans can say at this time.

Along with fellow board members Mark Faber, Lane Evans, and staff liaison Rico Edwards, I’m incredibly pleased to report the significant inroads we have made on our Diversity and Inclusion initiative. A survey was sent out to help us correctly identify the extensive diversity we have within our ranks. We also addressed our

Trish Faulkner, USPTA Vice President female members with a questionnaire asking for feedback regarding their feelings towards the organization. We then asked for their suggestions on how we could bring more women into the USPTA. Addressing all comments, concerns, and ideas at our board meeting in January was imperative. We continue our goal of making sure we are doing all we can to stay welcoming, inclusive, and diverse.

So, what does that mean for the USPTA as a whole? Here are some of the queries posed: Are we genuinely inclusive? Do we acknowledge and treat all members with respect? Do we go out of our way to make sure members know they are welcome?

Do we prejudge newcomers? Are we able to set aside any preconceived ideas about what our members should look like? Are we willing to mentor fellow professionals so that they may grow and become our future leaders? Do we believe that to be diverse and inclusive, we need to bring all levels of certified professionals into the USPTA? I know for the USPTA to strengthen and succeed, we must acknowledge and utilize our experienced members to support our incoming pros. These forthcoming leaders should come from diverse cultures and communities — reflecting our entire membership base. Let us all do our part to increase diversity within our sport and the USPTA. On another note, we are diligently working with the USTA Foundation to ensure we are raising money for the USPTA Fund. Therefore, all 17

USPTA divisions were asked to help obtain fascinating items for possible online auctions — or, if allowed, on-site conference auctions in 2021. Remember, these auctions are not solely for USPTA members, so tell your clients and friends that they can also bid! From lavish trips to brand new equipment, lesson packages, sports memorabilia, gift cards, airline miles, tennis accessories and outfits — no piece is too small or too large to auction off. We will work with you to set up the auction, how to best handle bidding, and the subsequent collection and delivery of all bids and funds. Of course, personal donations to the USTA Foundation, earmarked for the USPTA Fund are always welcome.

I know every member has been affected

by COVID-19 in one way or another. For the parents who had to juggle virtual schooling with everyday tasks, careers, and Zoom meetings, I hope this spring brings good health and positive news about the virus. Please continue to stay safe. Your USPTA friends are in this with you. *

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 45

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USPTA Master Professional Corner

Making the Basics Interesting: The Challenge for All Tennis Coaches João Pinho, USPTA Master Professional

n simple terms, what differentiates a highly competitive player from a less accomplished one? In most cases, it comes down to their fundamentals.

While technique alone does not guarantee success, someone who’s more successful will tend to have better split steps, cleaner unit turns, smoother swing paths, etc. With that said, one of the biggest challenges I see in our industry is how a pro navigates the fine line between making their sessions rich in fun but lacking in content or the other way around — great content but not engaging.

It’s fair to say that we have all seen lessons where the pro(s) did a tremendous job getting players excited but underachieved in providing the material to help the player develop in the medium to long-term. On the other hand, we’ve also see lessons full of lectures (with good content), but fail to connect with the player and get him/her motivated.

While both scenarios have value, it is crucial to fine-tune your plans to find a balance that best fits the player or group in front of you. This vital skill is more of an art than a science, and in order to decide where the pro should draw this line, several aspects should be considered:

of thinking through your lessons can be similar; more to come on that later.

The characteristics of the pro staff What’s the experience level of your staff within a particular segment? Should you seek another staff member to fill a gap that you may have on your team?

Or, could your current personnel be developed to fulfill the roles that you are seeking?

From my experience, having a system to create your lesson plans and progressions can simplify the pro’s execution and enhance the learning curve for the player.

The list below may help you think about creating a “fun-to-learning” ratio that suits your classes and programs.

The program’s objectives and audience Is your program focused on 10U, junior recreational development, highperformance, or adults? Each of these groups requires a unique balance between fun and content. However, the process

48 - ADDvantage Magazine

February 2021

Develop the content of the lesson — content is king Regardless of the level and age group, be sure that your “meat and potatoes” are present — meaning there’s a clear and meaningful message. Your staff and players should know precisely what the focus is for that given day or drill.

Err on the side of simplicity Tennis is a simple game — it is people that make it complicated! Focus on necessary and specific skills: split steps, unit turns, effective movement to the ball (aka “walking to the ball” concept), Photo courtesy of S. Sermram

I

Master Professional Corner USPTA directional control, service and returns, and basic tactical concepts. Select one or two of these elements at a time. As players develop, dive deeper and add variations to the concepts already taught.

Create realistic drills and games

Photo courtesy of Microgen

While researching new drills can be helpful, ask yourself the following question: What scenarios or skills are essential and relatable to this particular player or group? Your best source of drill ideas is your players! They’ll tell you what they need to work on — it’s our job to interpret that info and package it in a simple but exciting way.

Once you know the area or skill they need to focus on, work backwards to create drills that will “isolate” that aspect and build from there as the lesson progresses.

Go from a closed environment (such as dead ball drills) to a more open one (with live ball controls and points).

A common issue that we have to avoid is the “standard class” method, where the pro virtually gives the same lesson regardless of who’s on the other side.

While this can make the coach’s life easier, as less planning is needed and “auto-pilot” can take over, he/she will likely pay the price down the road as players will either get tired of the same material — or exhibit a diminished rate of improvement.

Be a master of tweaking simple drills In a sport where repetition plays a major role, it’s nearly impossible to avoid repetitive activities. However, making small adjustments to drills can significantly change the player’s experience and make them more productive. For example: How many ways can you do a simple cross-court rally drill? The player can rally with no particular objective or:

• Play their inverted strokes

Turn your drills into individual and team competitions when appropriate Knowing that most players tend to like points more than drills, look to create the same excitement and accountability that we “naturally” get when competing throughout your exercises. However, this concept is not always relevant. Players must learn how to focus on specific skills without being concerned about the outcome. Turning live or dead ball drills into competitions can increase the players’ engagement level.

• Count shots in a row

Present your activities with enthusiasm

• Count shots into a particular zone • Compete on “wearing the ball out” for a specific time • Start the rally with a serve • Alternate topspin with slices • Go for a specific combination of shots (push player back, then angle) • Adjust the court position, where one player has freedom, while the other has to stay at the baseline to work on specific skills.

We could go on and on about small variations of these particular drills. The point is, we don’t always need a new routine to keep it fresh and interesting for the players.

The energy from your students will often be a result of your own!

Therefore, be aware of your tone, facial expressions, voice projection, and other communication cues that significantly impact the perception of your message.

The first person that needs to get excited about the next activity/drill is you!

As pros, we have a massive influence on our sport’s future — and the industry’s growth rate is concerning. The connection with players can often be the difference of our students becoming another “tennis trier” instead of a “tennis player” (ie. someone that will stick around for life, regardless of his/her level). Finding the right balance between fun and learning is a critical factor for this “conversion.” However, fun, hard work, and content are not mutually exclusive.

It takes a skilled pro to find the right balance. Hopefully, the list above provides a simple guideline that anyone can use to create their own “fun-to-learning” ratio.

Sometimes the most straightforward ideas are the most powerful ones. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at joao.pinho@usta.com.*

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 49

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Member Feature USPTA

Serving Aspects from a Singles Perspective

I

Levander Kelley, USPTA Master Professional

n tennis, not all points are created equal! Love-love is not the same as deuce. Advantage in (Ad-In) is not the same as advantage out (Ad-Out), so why are you playing these different points the same? Give yourself a lead by having separate strategies for different point situations. The best way to develop your style of play is by practicing these specific point settings.

Instead of routinely participating to improve your game, take 30 minutes to work on a precise point situation that you’re having trouble winning. For example, on the first point of each match (love-love), try to keep your opponent under pressure on their serve by winning this crucial point. Doing so will force your opponent to win two consecutive points to take the lead. It also will ensure you are the first to 30 (0-30) or (15-30) if they cannot win two successive points.

Practice by being the server or the returner. Have a scoring system to create a competitive environment.

First, give the point its correct value by calling out the score.

Be clear when practicing so that you are apparent with this specific point situation during a competitive match. Each player will play 10 straight points as a server or returner, then switch.

As the server, you will need to be exact with the type of serve — use the flat, spin, slice, or kick. Pick one and practice that particular serve when playing out the 10 points. As the returner, practice hitting to one individual area. Understanding that you need to develop a down-theline, midcourt, and cross court returns, you will want to perform one at a time to become consistent with all three.

The deuce is different from the lovelove point. Here, you must win two points in a row to win the game.

Gaël Monfils, 2020 ATP ranked No. 11 Photo courtesy of Iev Radin

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 51

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Member Feature USPTA When practicing, your language must be correct, so call out the score to distinguish which point is being played.

Know that it will take two points to win the game, not just to apply pressure.

The same training patterns apply here — select whether you are the server or returner and play out the points using that specific point to develop regularity.

Identifying the advantage points (ad-in or ad-out) will enable you to create a plan of controlling this point with confidence.

We watch pros with amazement when they step to the line and crack an ace just when needed, or a kick serve that takes their opponent entirely off the court, and then their next shot is an easy put-away.

To consistently win the ad point, master these four serves:

Flat Serve The flat serve develops your consistency with pace down the middle (T-serve) or deep in the service box’s sideline corner.

Spin Serve

directly into your opponent’s body will cause a short return, enabling you to hit a put-away.

Kick Serve The kick serve can be used to take your opponent off the court as well — or cause a weak return by moving the ball out of your opponent’s strike zone. The difference between the kick serve and a spin serve is the aggressive revolution of the ball. Kick serves are used to win points and apply pressure, whereas spin serves are used to start points and avoid double-faulting.

All points are not equal, and thorough practices that develop handling these specific point situations will keep your opponent under pressure and enable you to play these points with winning confidence. *

The spin serve is outstanding to decrease double faulting. As a first or second serve, it is a great way to avoid giving your opponent a free point.

Slice Serve The slice serve takes your opponent off the court for a comfortable cross court put-away. It can also be an effective body serve or jammer. Supplying the slice

Venus Williams, 7x singles Grand Slam champion Photo courtesy of Neale Cousland

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 53

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Member Feature USPTA

The Fulfillment of Mentorship

W

hich is more significant — happiness or fulfillment? I genuinely believe that fulfillment is the more mature emotion.

When young, we long to be happy.

It is a goal from the womb to the day we set our career and family path goals. But happiness is based upon our circumstances — and will not last. I believe we can buy into a higher plan than merely seeking satisfaction.

Happiness is more of a selfish emotion, while fulfillment comes when you help others get to where they want to go. So I challenge you to think about seeking a fulfilled life. What does that mean? Zig Ziglar says, “If you want to achieve your goals, help others achieve theirs!” As a coach, I feel this is one of my primary roles, and I try to do this through mentorship.

I once had a person in my life tell me, “You always need to be pouring your life into someone else as someone else pours into you.” Wow, what a concept! So, ask

Kendell Hale, USPTA Elite Professional yourself, do you have someone that you are mentoring? Are you a mentee? This can be done on many different levels and could be oriented around your career, personal life, spiritual life, married life, etc. You could even have multiple mentors in your life, which is never a bad thing.

If you answered “no” to either of the above questions — what is your next step?

Think about those people you call when seeking advice. They are your mentors!

Do not wait for when things get out of control — then it’s too late. I would suggest you become more intentional with those individuals and set up a regular meeting time, whether weekly or monthly. Get something on the calendar and follow-through.

The USPTA has a fantastic mentorship program, where the mentor and mentee meet four times per year to first set goals, then track their progress and then finally determine what was successful and what, if anything, needs adjusting before moving forward.

Character traits of effective mentors and mentees Humility: Check your pride at the door! You must humble yourself and realize that you do not have all the answers. My mother gave me the best advice when I was young: “You can learn something from anyone.” There is always an alternate angle to look at something that provides a fresh perspective.

Patience: As a mentor or mentee, you must be patient with the process.

You are going to make mistakes. Results won’t always come right away, so be sure to take your time. Just like investments in the stock market, you will not see a sustainable profit until later down the road. You are investing in each other, so keep the faith.

Good listener: Try to listen more than you speak. In any relationship, there will be communication issues. Sacrificing your need to be heard improves your effectiveness. Listening allows both parties to be valued. Traditionally, people

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 55

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Member Feature USPTA don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Honest: To help a person grow, you must care enough about them, to be honest with them. This often means telling them things they need to hear but may not want to hear. Of course, always be respectful. A good coach gets you to do what you don’t want to do — in order to get you where you need to go.

Generous: Be willing to share your time, your vulnerability, and your secrets to success!

Benefits for the mentor Mentoring is energizing: It is a fantastic feeling to see your mentee reach their goals. When you know what you are doing is helping others, it motivates you and offers a more defined purpose.

Improves listening skills: Many times, the primary role of a mentor is to listen. This is a skill in which most everyone could use some improvement.

Enhances leadership skills: If you mentor long enough, you will have a situation that challenges you out of your comfort zone. Therefore, you’ll be forced to develop new leadership skills as you navigate each unique situation.

Become a better nudger: Often,

Dennis Ralston 1942-2020

your mentee will know the right thing to do but does not want to risk the impending decision’s security. That is why you’re there — to guide and nudge them into action.

Help your tennis community: When helping others become better in their field, you, in turn, are improving the industry. You are creating a legacy for future generations to come.

Benefits for a mentee Learn how to receive feedback: Often, a younger group needs help receiving feedback without becoming defensive. However, the mentor only has your best interests in mind when doling out feedback. A good friend tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

A different perspective: Mentors will generally have a different perspective on your situation. This is important because we can become fixated on our way of doing things.

Helps with our blind spots: We all have them in our lives — those areas we are unaware of — or choose to ignore. We must have these missed opportunities pointed out and dealt with for us to change.

Improved skillsets: Most of my

mentors have had diverse skills, which enabled them to see my issues from different perspectives. Varying philosophy levels allow for a fresh set of eyes to spot things differently — and allow for more useful feedback.

Increased confidence: When I receive validation from my mentor on ideas that I am carrying through, I can relax. Why? Because even with a successful outcome or failure, you still have a mentor that will be in your corner to celebrate — or help you breakdown the issues that result in a more successful outcome the next time around.

Every mentor you have in life will leave a piece of themselves with you. You become a product of their advice and counsel. I see a bit of every coach and mentor I have ever had in the way that I now coach and mentor. You will learn from both good and bad advice. It’s up to you what to do with it.

For those that have had mentors in the past, call those people and thank them for investing in you. As for me — in the tennis industry, multiple people had a profound effect: Thank you, Wan Ables, Helen Wilson, Jeff Henderson, Mark Rosewell, Kim Bastable, Gary Trost, and Bunny Bruning! *

In Memoriam The USPTA mourns the

From humble beginnings,

loss of tennis legend

Alejandro “Alex” Olmedo

Dennis Ralston. A lifetime

became a champion at

member of the USPTA,

Wimbledon and the

Dennis touched the lives of

Australian Nationals in 1959.

everyone he came in contact

Olmedo was a longtime

with. From winning the

USPTA member and Tennis

1960 Wimbledon doubles

Director at the Beverly Hills

title at the age of 17 to five

Hotel, where he taught tennis

consecutive Davis Cup titles,

for more than 25 years. He

Dennis coached Chris Evert,

counted Hollywood elites

Yannick Noach, and Gabriela

such as Katharine Hepburn,

Sabatini. Dennis Ralston was

Robert Duvall, and Chevy

78. He will be missed.

Chase as students.

February 2021

Alex Olmedo 1936-2020

ADDvantage Magazine - 57

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Pickleball Perspective Mike Calendrillo, USPTA Communications

“Net Work” is a new column focusing on the business side of racquet sports. Through analytics and statistics, NetWork provides real insight into the careers of tennis-teaching professionals.

Pickleball popularity continues to sweep the nation. From neighbors setting up impromptu courts in their streets during COVID restrictions to cities retrofitting old basketball and tennis courts into pickleball courts, demand for the sport is at an all-time high.

Statista cites cities such as Chesapeake, Columbus, Madison, Seattle, St. Paul, St. Petersburg, Virginia Beach as already having at least two pickleball courts per 10,000 residents.

Not bad for a game that began in 1965 on a former badminton court in Bainbridge Island, Wash. According to Statista, from 2014 through 2019, pickleball has grown from 2.46 million participants to 3.46 million in the U.S., with 40 percent of all participants being female.

In a detailed report released by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, 2 million participants are deemed “Casual,” meaning they play one-to-seven times per year. On the flip side, 1.4 million

falls into the “Core” category, signaling those that play eight or more times in a calendar year.

Breaking down these age groups even further, per the SFIA:

• The average age of all pickleball players is 41.

• Core players have an average age of 54, while casual players have an average age of 33.

• Sixty-four percent of Core players are between 55 years old or more.

• Eighty-four percent of Casual players are between 54 years or younger.

Because of its controllable nature, elementary, middle, and high schools have begun to add pickleball into their physical education class curriculums. Ages 6-17 now make up 17.6 percent of all participants.

From 2015-2018, the percentage of Core players between the age of 54 and younger grew from 25 percent to 36 percent. The rate of Casual players aged 54 and younger increased from 78 percent to 84 percent. Therefore, the increase

in the percentage of total players less than 55 years of age shows faster growth among younger players.

Perhaps in part to pickleball courts sprouting up around the country or simply taping off the lines in your driveway — not to mention it being a relatively inexpensive sport to pick up, young people are continuing to show interest in this tennis, racquetball, ping-pong hybrid.

When you can buy a net, two paddles, and two balls for under $60 from most online retailers in the midst of a pandemic, it’s understandable why players’ median age continues to decrease.

It is imperative that tennis-teaching professionals are aware of the pickleball craze. In essence, supply and demand are trending in the sports’ direction, so any reluctance to begin teaching the game needs to fade away. Pros should be well aware that they have an obligation to accommodate the wants of the consumer.

Six straight years’ worth of statistics proves that pickleball is here to stay. So, it’s time to deliver.

For those that wish to expand their coaching repertoire and enhance their education, the USPTA has partnered with the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA). The level I pickleball certification course includes classroom sessions, on-court teaching sessions, and an on-court playing session — and can be secured one of two ways.

Hosted at USPTA division conferences or standalone events by the IPTPA, the fivehour workshop’s cost is $240. It includes the pickleball certification testing, access to the specialty course, and a one-year membership with the IPTPA. For classes and to sign up, visit the IPTPA website to see available workshops or contact the USPTA to schedule a standalone seminar outside a division conference. *

February 2021

ADDvantage Magazine - 59

USPTA Career Development

Career Development USPTA Certification Testing Dates Feb. 1.............................................................Barnes Tennis Center

San Diego, CA Feb. 1-2.......................................................USTA National Campus

Orlando, FL Feb. 1-2....................................................... Bay Club San Francisco

San Francisco, CA Feb. 4....................................

RacquetFit Certification Webinar

Virtual Feb. 6....................................................... Westwood Country Club

Vienna, VA Feb. 6-7.........................................................................Forest Crest

Mountlake Terrace, WA Feb. 10...................................... Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center

Minneapolis, MN Feb. 12-13.......................................................Tucson Country Club

Tucson, AZ Feb. 13-14.......................................................................... Biltmore

Coral Gables, FL Feb. 14..................................................... Haig Point Tennis Center

Hilton Head Island, SC Feb. 19.................................................Chestnut Ridge Tennis Club

Mt. Kisco, NY Feb. 19-20.................................................... Horseshoe Bay Resort

Horseshoe Bay, TX Feb. 19-20.......................................................................Burns Park

North Little Rock, AR Feb. 20.................................................. New Canaan Racquet Club

New Canaan, CT Feb. 20-21........................................................ Oaks at Boca Raton

Boca Raton, FL Feb. 20-21...................................................... Atlanta Athletic Club

Johns Creek, GA Feb. 21............................................... John and Fay Menard YMCA

Eau Claire, WI Feb. 22-23...................................................USTA National Campus

Orlando, FL Feb. 26...................................................... Greenville Country Club

Wilmington, DE Feb. 26-27..............................................Wyndemere Country Club

Naples, FL Feb. 27-28...................................................La Habra Tennis Center

La Habra, CA Feb. 27-28......................... Bonita National Golf and Country Club

Naples, FL Feb. 27-28.................................. Forest Meadows Tennis Complex

Tallahassee, FL

What’s the Dill?

February Membership Dept. Update Dillon Chustz, USPTA Director of Membership

Leading the Membership Department through 2020 and into 2021 has been a whirlwind. Our team took on an entirely new and challenging workflow. We were handling the usual member inquiries and helping our 14,000 members through the dues subsidy qualification process, facilitating our virtual World Conference, and getting applicants across the old certification pathway and into the new one. Our job here at the World Headquarters has evolved into one that now requires a tremendous amount of adaptability as the pandemic continues to throw new challenges our way.

One incredible byproduct of the last year was the opportunity that my team had to connect with our members like never before.

We listened as you told us about your challenges, your triumphs, and the different ways that you found to contribute to our industry amidst so much uncertainty. I am sure we can all agree that tennis has come out of this pandemic as the industry’s dark horse, a perfect social distancing sport, and you all have taken great advantage of it! Every second that the pandemic allowed for tennis instruction, you, our USPTA members, were out on court laying the foundation. Your resilience and passion for our sport have inspired my team and me more than I can say.

Our job is most rewarding when we can make your career as a tennis professional as efficient as possible and guarantee that you get everything you can out of your USPTA membership.

What has made this pandemic exponentially easier to navigate is the patience that you have expressed. So much has happened in a concise amount of time — and my team has worked tirelessly to process everything promptly. We’ve received a tremendous amount of encouragement from our members, and it has validated my belief in the USPTA as a FAMILY. Yes. 2020 tried to knock us down, but we pulled through with an even greater sense of purpose as tennis educators.

I cannot wait to see what 2021 brings for our association. As always, feel free to reach out to the Membership Department with any questions, comments, or concerns. We’re here for you! *

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President................................................................. Feisal Hassan First Vice President.............................................Richard Slivocka Vice Presidents...............Lane Evans, Mark Faber, Trish Faulkner, Jason Gilbert, Bill Mountford Immediate Past President............................................ Gary Trost CEO...........................................................................John Embree Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell

Editor...................................................................................... Jim Burke Managing Editor......................................................... Mike Calendrillo Layout/Design.............................................................Kevin Karczewski Editorial Assistance .............................Alegna Hollis, Ramona Husaru, Sid Newcomb, Fred Viancos, Ellen Weatherford Circulation..................................................................... Trevor Trudelle USPTA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827 407-634-3050 – www.uspta.com

60 - ADDvantage Magazine

February 2021

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA.