USPTA Addvantage Magazine - January 2024

CEO MESSAGE

LA

!

L L A C T S ®

Dear USPTA fellow professionals, Since my time here at the USPTA began more than 11 years ago, I have personally written more than 100 CEO messages for ADDvantage magazine where I could share my perspective on the state of the USPTA, the racquet sports industry and insights on relevant topics. Partnering with Tennis Industry magazine (now Racquet Sports Industry magazine) was one of the first objectives of my tenure. The USPTA was not in the publishing business, so it made sense to allow experts in the field to do the work for us, while at the same time giving the USPTA a mouthpiece for the entire industry to hear. Thank you Jeff Williams, retired publisher of Tennis Industry, for agreeing to this partnership. Also, thank you to John Hanna and Pete Francesconi for continuing this great relationship.

As I would contemplate what I should write each month, it was not always easy to identify subject matters that would be of interest to our professionals. But it has been a joy to use this platform to inform our readers on the latest and greatest ongoings at the USPTA and in the industry at large. I hope you have enjoyed reading my submissions.

When I announced my retirement in April at year’s end, I reflected on my career, having spent 50 years in this incredibly rewarding industry. How blessed I have been to make a living from a sport that I have been playing since I was six years old.

Few can make that claim.

By the time this January issue of ADDvantage magazine is in circulation come late December, my remaining tasks and days at the USPTA will be numbered. Thus, I want to use this space to deliver one last message to you, my fellow colleagues.

I am most appreciative of the countless hours of dedicated service our members give to grow the game and inspire their clientele to be tennis players for life. It is a special calling and a labor of love that our professionals exhibit to ensure the success of our sport. Thank you!

An extra special thanks to the presidents I have been fortunate to work with and learn from, each of whom provided the USPTA and myself exactly what was needed at the time of their terms of service: Tom Daglis, who was courageous enough to hire

me; Tom McGraw, whose steady hand was perfect during a tumultuous time at the USPTA; Chuck Gill, who oversaw the construction of our cutting edge HQ; Gary Trost, whose Australian sense of humor came in handy during tough conversations; Feisal Hassan, who gave us focus on diversity, equity and inclusion needed to grow and enhance our membership; and finally, Rich Slivocka, who managed to deal with several personal life-changing experiences while still staying focused on the job at hand during his term. I am convinced that you all will ably counsel my successor as he/she settles into my role, if asked.

Despite challenges on the horizon, the USPTA’s future is certainly bright. Over the past 11 years, we have made good decisions and accomplished a great deal. But there is so much more work that can be done and I am most confident that, with your support, indeed it will. Our new leader will need your assistance.

The team here is strong. I could not be prouder of the dedication and commitment the national staff and our division EDs demonstrate on a daily basis to help our membership. Please don’t miss an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions, especially during this time of transition. And to the division leadership, Executive Committee and new USPTA Board of Directors, please remain steadfast in our mission “to elevate the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches across the country” and around the world.

Finally, I ask that you all aspire to bring new talent into our association. As so many of us will age out in the coming years, we need a pipeline of new members and engaged talent to fill in behind us. We have built a wonderful community, but it must grow larger and stronger to achieve the aspirations established.

I look forward to cheering the USPTA on from a distance and seeing you along the way. I can be reached in the future at jrembree@comcast.net or via my cell, 609-271-2993.

It has been a joyous ride for my family and me! I have been honored to represent the USPTA everywhere I go. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this wonderful organization and to be of service to you.

Gratefully yours, John Embree USPTA CEO 2012-2023

January 2024

ADDvantage Magazine - 59

MY LEGACY John Embree, USPTA CEO | Oct. 2012 - Dec. 2023

A

s I ride off into the sunset to enjoy (hopefully) my “golden years,” I have always wanted to give back to this association and to this sport that I love. In my role over these past 11+ years, my one overarching goal was to just make a difference in somebody’s tennis career, in someone’s life.

In my aspiration to do just that, I announced during the General Membership Meeting at the USPTA World Conference in Orlando this past September my desire to set up a scholarship fund to help underresourced individuals (preferably one female and one male) attend a USPTA World Conference. My intent is to assist individuals who would not have the financial backing of their home facility, who would not be able to afford the expense to attend a conference on their own without the assistance that this scholarship program would provide and who have not previously attended our annual event.

I am pleased to be able to say this endeavor is about to become a reality. I have made a personal commitment to donate $1,000 per year until such time that I am no longer able to do so. The USPTA will match my contribution so that the total scholarship will be $2,000 annually.

Split evenly between the two individuals selected, this money will defray travel and hotel costs, plus some meals. I have asked the USPTA to waive the WC registration fees for those who will be granted the John Embree WC Scholarship.

The USPTA will need to assign a committee to establish the criteria, the application process, timing of the application and notification to the recipients, communication to the membership, etc.

This scholarship program should last as long as I am alive.

Ever since I came on board in late 2012, I quickly recognized the value that a World Conference provides our members who attend. While education is the primary benefit, there can be no disputing how impactful the networking opportunities with colleagues are. Until one experiences a World Conference, it is difficult to fully comprehend what it means to a USPTA member.

If I can quote what Andre Aggasi said at the 2019 USPTA World Confer-

ence in Las Vegas during his Q&A session, “When you stop learning, you should stop coaching.” Profound words from someone who should know. Through this scholarship fund each year, we will be giving two professionals the opportunity to learn and be better professionals as a result.

Thank you for honoring my legacy with this scholarship program. I am entrusting the leadership of the USPTA to ensure that this program thrives in the coming years. *

January 2024

ADDvantage Magazine - 61

PRESIDENT MESSAGE

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024 Trish Faulkner USPTA President

W

elcome everyone to a new year and an exciting start to 2024. I am very honored to be serving as your president for the next two years. We have many changes taking place and I am sure some members are apprehensive when it comes to the future of our organization. As I begin my term, I cannot help but look back and see what USPTA accomplished with all our great board members and with John Embree at the helm. I know we all will miss John, but I am sure we will see him at various tennis events and functions. I also want to thank Rich Slivocka, our past president, who served us so well in some difficult times.

First, in January, we have a new CEO, Brian Dillman, coming in after a long and in-depth search. Brian was interviewed many times by the Search Committee, and we all feel very confident that he brings the right experience and credentials to lead the organization in a strong and purposeful direction. Brian is fully aware of the issues facing our organization as we navigate our relationships with the USTA and the PTR. Brian also understands the major challenges within the USPTA—new member recruitment, member retention and the reluctancy of some members to gain their

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Safe Play certification.

With these issues in the forefront of our agenda for our first board meeting in January, I also want to welcome the board members who will serve with me in 2024 and 2025. Re-elected to the board are Mark Faber, first vice president, along with Jenny Gray, Kevin Theos and Jason Gilbert. Congratulations to our two new board members Rob Scott and Milos Vasovic.

Rich Slivocka will continue as immediate past president.

Even with these exciting new additions, it is also a good time to take a long look at our organization and what our goals are and where we really stand in the world of tennis. Why do many consumers, even avid tennis players, not really know the difference between USPTA and USTA? What do we really do best? I believe we are the true leaders in education, certification and instruction in the racquet sports

January 2024

industry. I do mean racquet sports and not just tennis! We have embraced pickleball, Padel and platform. We are working to help our members become certified in multiple racquet sports, which will lead to our professionals getting better jobs and earning more income on and off the courts. How do we attract younger and more diverse members to the USPTA? We cannot just wait for people to reach out to us—we must go out to the arenas that will provide a steady flow of new members.

This means we visit PTM programs, TOC activities, college and high school coach conferences to educate and recruit possible new members. We must sell ourselves and the benefits of becoming members and getting involved in our events and educational offerings. All of you out on the courts and in the clubs are our conduit to growth and success! Each division is going to be tasked with helping grow our membership base.

Apart from promoting our benefits of membership, we are also looking at different ways to market our name and logo.

Social media will play a big part in the next few years, so we are looking at innovative ways of utilizing our events, members and our educational offerings to get our name and logo in front of the consumer.

Our new CEO has experience in global marketing and will be looking outside of the industry to bring in new sponsors and endorsees. All our members encounter thousands of consumers, so it seems natural for a company to want to lend their

PRESIDENT MESSAGE

name to our professionals and the organization. If we are successful in bringing in new companies, it is up to all of you to support, display and promote all of them.

Our agreements with our current and possible new endorsees can only be successful if you are willing to do that.

Going back to our concerns and discussions regarding membership and the challenges we face, the USPTA is driven by the strength and commitment of our members.

Hence the board and ExComm and the staff are working hard to always make decisions in the best interests of the membership. However, we have reached a crossroads when it comes to the mandatory Safe Play requirement to be a certified USPTA professional. In all sports, the governing body is mandated by the IOC to have all coaches Safe Play trained and background checked.

The USPTA believes this is the right course to take for your own personal livelihood as

well as for the good of the organization.

We will be contacting all members who have not taken or renewed their Safe Play status. If you choose not to be Safe Play

certified you will be informed of your membership options.

I mentioned the USTA and PTR as topics for discussion with our new CEO and the board. I think all of us in the racquet sports industry are working for the

same goals—to engage more players of all ages playing and enjoying racquet sports, leagues and tournaments—and in turn our members will have more students to teach.

We will continue to talk with both USTA and PTR to see if we can find common ground and work together on some initiatives. We also are continuing to work with USTA on the accreditation application with Safe Play certification being a major component.

It is a new year with some old problems to solve and new ones to address. The board, the new CEO and the staff are working diligently to make the USPTA even better and stronger than ever before. Changes are coming and we need your support as well as your input.

I hope you all enjoyed your end-ofyear holidays. I hope 2024 sees peace in the world and I wish only the very best for each of you as you start your new work year! *

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR USPTA PROS FOR BEING NAMED

®

I S R 023

2

CH

S I N N E T F O S N O I P M A

PERSON OF THE YEAR

BILLIE JEAN KING

GRASSROOTS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

LORETTA CONWAY

(HONORARY MEMBER)

TENNIS INDUSTRY SERVICE AWARD

JOHN EMBREE

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

KIRK ANDERSON

USPTA MEMBER OF THE YEAR

SIMON PAEK

HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR

PRIVATE/COMMERCIAL CLUB OF THE YEAR

NORTH HILLS (JASON KINDER,

DIRECTOR OF RACQUET SPORTS)

ADULT TENNIS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

TENNIS IN YOUR PARK (KATHY SCHNEIDER, MANAGER | ADULT RECREATION)

BILL SHARDLOW

MUNICIPAL FACILITY OF THE YEAR

JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

(KEEGAN BARKLEY,

ROB OPPENHEIM

KROC TENNIS CENTER DIRECTOR OF TENNIS)

WE’RE PROUD THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR INDUSTRY!

REFLECTIONS

WOMEN’S 2023 SEASON REVEALS

EQUITY

AT THE TOP Steve Flink International Tennis Hall of Fame

A

s the 2023 women’s tournament season concluded during the first week of November with the GNP Seguros WTA Finals in Cancun, it occurred to me that the players in the sport’s upper echelons all bring something essential to the landscape.

Examining what happened in the four majors and Cancun this past season, the dynamic ball striker Aryna Sabalenka was victorious at the Australian Open, collecting her first major title. The industrious Iga Swiatek took her third title at Roland Garros and her fourth major overall, and then the left-handed Marketa Vondrousova won Wimbledon with unmistakable court

©Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA

REFLECTIONS

craft and ingenuity. At the US Open, Coco Gauff joined Sabalenka and Vondrousova as breakthrough victors at the Grand Slam events when she upended Sabalenka in the final. Gauff ’s freewheeling style, fleetness of foot and outstanding serve set her apart.

Her New York triumph was the highlight of the entire year in women’s tennis.

The four others in the field at Cancun aside from Sabalenka, Swiatek, Von-

But Swiatek should stand alone as the pace setter of the sport over the next several years. After her triumph at Roland Garros in the spring, the quietly ferocious Polish competitor hit a lull over the summer before recapturing her confidence in winning the title in Beijing during the fall. She peaked in November when she crushed Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in the Cancun semifinals and then majestically dismissed

In recent years, women’s tennis has been enriched by an abundance of emerging stars... drousova and Gauff were the strikingly versatile Ons Jabeur—the 2022 Wimbledon champion—the singularly elegant server Elena Rybakina, the dynamic Maria Sakkari—who irresistibly combines offense and defense—and the universally admired Jessica Pegula—in the forefront of the sport because of her first-rate footwork, extraordinary ball control and tactical acuity.

In Cancun, after too many days of incessant rain delays and burdensome winds, it all came down to Swiatek toppling Pegula for the last significant tournament prize of 2023 on a much calmer afternoon.

The eight players in that field featured two Americans who both finished 2023 in the world’s top five (Gauff and Pegula), one Polish performer (Swiatek), a Tunisian (Jabuer), a Kazakhstani (Rybakina), the big hitting Belarusian (Sabalenka), a Greek stylist (Sakkari) and a representative from the Czech Republic (Vondrousova). Gauff is the youngest in that elite group at 19.

Jabeur and Pegula are the oldest at 29. All these players are outstanding.

Pegula 6-1, 6-0 in the final. She conceded only 20 games in five matches—the fewest any champion at the WTA Finals has lost since round robin play was introduced in 2003.

But the player most frequently seen in the latter stages of the big events this past year was the gifted Sabalenka, perhaps the most crowd-pleasing performer of them all. She goes for the gusto but is more measured nowadays. She has harnessed her game with the deepest of diligence. A few years ago, she was serving record numbers of double faults, but Sabalenka has worked exceedingly hard to find a remedy.

In 2023, although she did not win another major after Melbourne, Sabalenka was a semifinalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and runner-up to Gauff at the US Open. She was beaten in Cancun by a top-of-the-line Swiatek in the penultimate round, but that loss could not obscure a season defined by a sureness of purpose and a growing competitive maturity.

These players will approach 2024 prepared to build on their achievements.

The sport needs a balance between fresh faces and established veterans with large reputations. In recent years, women’s tennis has been enriched by an abundance of emerging stars. But continuity at and near the top is crucial, and Swiatek is a champion always striving to move beyond herself and never resting on her laurels.

She will rise to many more big occa-

...but continuity at and near the top is crucial.

That flourish in Cancun enabled Swiatek to finish the season as the No. 1 ranked woman in the world for the second year in a row. I would not be surprised if she concluded the next three years at the top. No one is more unwavering as a competitor; few can match her professionalism and her forehand is the best in the game.

sions across the coming years, but the fact remains that the other leaders of the pack from 2023, including Sabalenka, Gauff, Pegula and Rybakina, will push hard to win the most prestigious prizes as well. I am looking forward to 2024 and another captivating season in the world of women’s tennis.*

January 2024

ADDvantage Magazine - 67

MEMBER FEATURE

MARK

VINES A REAL ROLE MODEL

B

orn in Richmond, Va., Mark Vines has built his life around using his passions to make an impact, through both tennis and his personal life.

Mark set on that path when he became the only of his five siblings to take up tennis, and the potential of him becoming a world-class player was already evident.

At age 11, he was offered a six-month tennis scholarship to develop his game. At age 14, he won a state championship; that earned him 50 hours of free lessons with any professional/coach. That same year, a new pro came to town, USPTA Master Professional Hugh Waters. Hugh coached a top-level group of players of about 16 kids who became great college tennis players.

Six of them played on the tour after college.

“I have taught you everything I know,

68 - ADDvantage Magazine

January 2024

Jicham Zaatini USPTA Elite Professional and I am not sure how much better I can get you,” Hugh said to a 15-year-old Mark.

Mark brought his rich, early experience to college, as he played for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

After graduating college, Mark played on the tour. He became No. 105 in the world, having amazing results—like qualifying for the Richmond WTC Pro tournament and losing to Brian Gottfried after qualifying in a very close match. He then

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traveled to Africa and came back with very little money and disappointing results. He returned to Nigeria and England and won a few small tournaments, surviving the tour. In 1981, he went to the US Open and qualified. He won two rounds before losing to Ivan Lendl in an epic four-set match. A few months later, he won the ATP tournament in Paris—the highlight of his tennis career.

Mark became a USPTA certified professional after his playing career ended in 1985. He created a mentoring program where he sponsors upcoming talent for a year and asks each mentee to do the same with another player. Mark helps three or more players per year through the program.

Mark’s generosity has continued off the court too, as he has long dreamed of donating an organ. In May of 2019, he met up with a Naples, Fla., friend who shared that his daughter was diagnosed with kidney failure. A long-time tennis player in

excellent health, test results showed Mark’s kidney was significantly healthier than others in his early-60s age group. Doctors approved for Mark to be the donor and save a life despite his age.

“It was not hard at all,” Mark said. “I

“I want to advocate and promote living donations of organs and make people aware of how easy and possible it is to help save another life.” knew my body was capable and in great shape. I felt the same about my organs, but the most important thing is, I wanted to save a life.”

Mark said the experience motivated

him to continue his dreams of donating to those in need.

“I would like to donate part of my liver to help someone live better,” Mark said.

“And by helping, I am saving not only one person, but a complete family.”

The kidney transplant patient is now living a perfect life, as is Mark. He is competing more than ever and ranks No. 1 in the country in the 65-age group. In his off time, he teaches tennis at a private home, sharing the sport that has brought him so much joy and gifted him a path to helping others.

“I want to advocate and promote living donations of organs and make people aware of how easy and possible it is to help save another life,” Mark said.

Mark is currently in contact with an institution in Weston, Fla., in the process of finding the perfect match to donate part of his liver. To learn more about becoming an organ donor, visit organdonor.gov.*

January 2024

ADDvantage Magazine - 69

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72 - ADDvantage Magazine

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ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE USPTA Tournaments recognize Dunlop’s

January 2024

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INSPIRING EXCELLENCE AND SHAPING HISTORY Meet Avis Murray, the Ace of Tennis Instruction

I

f you have ever attended a USPTA World Conference, you’ve surely run into Avis Murray, and upon doing so, quickly understood what a passion tennis-teaching is for her.

Avis is a 52-year member of the USPTA and a Certified Master Professional and Certified Pickleball Professional with the USPTA. She has been teaching tennis for more than five decades and she still teaches junior and adult clinics. Avis even taught four generations in the same family during her tenure in the industry!

Avis says she was very much a tomboy as a child. Whenever she had the opportunity, she went out in the streets of Gloucester, Mass., where she has lived since she was born, and played whatever sports the boys were playing. While attending high school, there were no organized team sports for women. Avis didn’t let that stop her from doing what she loved, as she formed an all-girls basketball team through the local YMCA. They called themselves the Swishers and arranged games competing against other female

teams though the area’s Catholic Youth Organization.

Avis and Annie Gosbee were the first two women to play junior league baseball.

Annie went on to play professional baseball in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and is recognized at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. Avis was only a high school freshman at the time but ran for office at her high school and won with the pitch of inclusion for women’s varsity sports teams.

After graduating from high school, Avis joined the U.S. Army where she proudly served for nine years from 19561965. She was able to play any sport she wanted during her free time, and there she fell in love with tennis. She began to play competitive tennis full-time and was even invited to tennis tournaments at West Point. She watched Billie Jean King (then Billie Jean Moffitt) on television and used the techniques she observed.

After leaving the Army, she knew her calling was to teach and coach tennis, and

the first thing she wanted to do was to become certified. She joined the USPTA in 1971, and that same year, she accepted a job at Bass Rocks Golf Club where she still works today as the director of tennis and head tennis professional. Avis also served as the director of tennis at the Manchester Athletic Club.

Avis has earned many awards as a leader in the tennis industry. In 2013, she earned the highest award a USPTA member can receive, the USPTA Alex Gordon Professional of the Year. In her community, she has courts named in her honor at Bass Rocks Golf Club, Manchester Athletic Club and City of Gloucester—Stage Fort Park tennis courts. She has also been inducted into the USTA New England and USPTA New England Hall of Fames.

Avis Murray has truly been an inspiration to generations in the past and many yet to come. With her time advocating for women’s rights, serving her country and her devotion to teaching the sport she loves, Avis has and will continue to shape history. *

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President................................................................ Trish Faulkner First Vice President.................................................... Mark Faber Vice Presidents.....................................Jason Gilbert, Jenny Gray, Kevin Theos, Rob Scott, Milos Vasovic Immediate Past President....................................... Rich Slivocka CEO.......................................................................... Brian Dillman Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell

Editor...............................................................................Marisa Lampe Managing Editor...............................................................Collin Brazan Layout/Design........................................................... Kerry Schneeman Editorial Assistance ........................ Jim Stockwell, Ellen Weatherford, Phoebe Allan Circulation............................................................................. Tim Baum USPTA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827 407-634-3050 – www.uspta.com

76 - ADDvantage Magazine

January 2024

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. 2024. All rights reserved.

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