Addvantage 1988 March/April

Who says you canf buy confidence?

Introducing the new Prince Response!M The racquet with the best "feel" is normally the one that makes you feel like you can win. It's called confidence. It's also called the Response -the newest racquet from Prince.

Appropriately named, because when players asked for more controlled power with a comfortable feel, we had a Response.

The Advance Response System includes the exclusive technology of a "Bimodulus Flared Throat" area-made ofKevlar and fiberglassthat allows the racquet to actually flex upon contact with the ball. This creates a cupping effect which absorbs the ball's impact, cushions the hit, and provides the feeling of a ball exploding off a racquet.

The design of the Response also dissipates power-stroke vibrations before they travel down to the handle.

Response is more than just our newest racquet. It's a symbol of what we stand for: answering the needs of all players ..Tested more than any other racquet in our history, the responses were overwhelming. We think you'll agree.

And the best time to pick up a Prince Response? Preferably before your opponent does .

TM

•

PIIRCIJÂŽ LET THE GAMES BEGIN

TM

Prince is the exclusively endorsed racquet, shoe, apparel , ball machine and stringing machine of the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Q Volume 12- Issue 2

On the Cover

o

o

The Trade Magazine o f Tenn is Te a c h ing Pro fessi o nal sT•

March/April 1 988

o

Marriott 's Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Palm Spr ings ,Califo rn ia s ite o f t he 1988 US PTA National Convention .

NATIONAL BOARD OF OFFICERS J im Reffkin

President

Ro d Dulany

First Vice President

Jack Ju sti ce

Vice Pres ident

Gord o n Co llins

Vice President

Sp ike Gurney

Treas urer

D ave Siv ertso n

Secretary

Pa ul Wa ld m a n

Legal Counsel

Mike E ik e n berry

Past President

N A TION A L O FFI C E

(8 13) 973-3777 T im H eck le r

Elaine S roka

Assistant to the Executive Director Office Coord inator, Members hip

Caro l Kroh S mith

Public Relations/ Magazine Coordinator

Dana Stu ll

2 : UP~ti::~~!~~~~~-~i~. ~~~-~~~~............................ 3 Save Money with Penn's Quarterly Discount Program ...................................... 4 Letters to the Editor ................................... 6 Successful Interviewing

by Randy Stephens ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 7 President Jim Reffkin's Message ......................

Executive Director

Ric h Fan n ing

CONTENTS

Marketing Coordinator

r

R e n ee H eckle r F1nanc1al Manager Kat hy B uchanan D o nna Woo dstead C hristi Neumann La ra in e R e id

Data Process Operator Membership Assistant Executive Secretary

Nine Ways to Improve Your Tennis Language

by Kurt Ehrhardt •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

II

National Convention Update: "The New Age of Tennis" ............. . ............ .

14

Secretary

Advertis ing/ Marketi ng Information Phone (8 13) 973-3777 "ADDvantage" is published bi-monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association. For information , write USPTA National Headquarters at Saddlebrook , The Golf and Tenn is Resort , P.O. 7077, Wesley Chapel, Florida 34249, or phone (8 13) 973-3 777.

Offi ce Hours : 8:30 - 5:00 EDT Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc . 1988. All righ ts reserved .

Reproduction of any portion of this magazine is not permitted withou t written permission from the publisher.

Silence is Golden

by AI Secunda • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••

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22 Executive Director Tim Heckler's Message ....... . . 24 Industry Action ............ . . .. ....... . ........ . .... .

Tennis Coaches Can Learn from Basketball's Success

by Jim Reffkin, Presid ent USPTA

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College basketball has done it again. Not only has it put together one of the most exciting sports events of the year, but it has made an incredible amount of money while doing so. Most everyone agrees that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) College Basketball Tournament is a marketing dream come true. The level of excitement and the amount of media attention this tournament elicits is only topped by the 27 million dollars in profit it brings to its schools.

Years ago, it would have been difficult, indeed, to foresee the development of this incredible sports bonanza.

However, after careful study of the ways in which the NCAA has nurtured this sport, it is much easier to appreciate its success. Congratulations to those individuals who dramatically changed the rules used in the scoring of basketball.

They not only successfully accommodated the increased size and strength of today's modern athletes, but most important, they created a modern game extremely exciting for the public to watch.

The courage and foresight of the NCAA Rules and Tournament Committees cannot be given enough credit.

They did what they had to do. These committees put aside their many selfinterests and looked at the potential future of basketball. Through progressive rule and scoring changes ,they dramatically molded the game to what it is today, a smashing success!

Interestingly enough , in recent years , basketball has adopted two key ingredients from the sport of tennis. These in clude the tennis seeding system and the perfect 64 draw. These two ingredients are now permanent characteristics of this amazing sporting event- the NCAA College Basketball Championships .

2

The vital question facing our sport today is: Can college tennis change and succeed as basketball has? I think it can. I believe that college tennis is in a perfect position to enjoy tremendous growth over the next few years .

The recent creation of a National Team Championship format has incited the same kind of excitement basketball began to develop 30 years ago. If you have attended a NCAA Tennis Championship since its change to a true team format, you will be the first to describe it as one of the most exciting tennis events you have ever seen. Only the Davis Cup can capture the same kind of spirit and allegiance present in athletic competition for one 's college.

College coaches , today, have an opportunity to create a tremendous vehicle by which to promote tennis in the United States ,much as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Player Development Committee is feverishly working to implement a national program to increase the popularity of tennis in our country. In essence, it is the college coaches who have the power to impact immediately the future course of our game.

But how can these coaches accomplish this task ? To start, they must step forward and develop the National Team Championships into an event much like the final four in basketball. College tennis coaches must learn from basketball and copy its successes . Because college tennis is not governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) or USTA, the game can be allowed to freely develop as the market demands . These coaches have the power to create an extremely exciting product, an event worthy of big gate attendance and big dol lar television coverage.

But, in order forth is to happen ,tennis

must change as other sports have changed . Powerful rules and tournament committees must be created to adopt new rules concerning scoring methods wh ich are adaptable to the marketplace. These committees must determine the desires of the American consumer and the needs of network television.

They must do what basketball did.

They must experiment in selected conferences , remain open-minded to new ideas and have the courage not to be swayed by today's self-interests. And , these committees must look to the future of tennis and direct it to its rightful place as a changing game in a changing world .

H

Nutrition for Tennis Players

by Peter Burwash

Peter Burwash is the founder and president of Peter Burwash International, the world's largest international tennis management firm . A Canadian champion and Davis Cup player, Burwash won 19 singles and doubles titles during his years playing the international circuit. Having coached in 92 countries on five continents. Burwash is widely acknowledged as one of the world 's best tennis coaches . A USPTA Master Professional, Burwash also serves as instruction editor for Tennis Magazine and is on the Wilson Advisory Staff.

He is a dynamic, highly motivating speaker -frequently lecturing at conferences on health and fitness, business management and travel and tourism in addition to tennis. Fort he past eight years he has been a featured speaker and clinician at major national conferences for IRSA, USTA and USPTA. His expertise is shared with millions through his weekly radio tennis tips for CBS and commentary for televised tennis matches.

Burwash 's first book, Tennis for Life, shares the teaching concepts used in PSI which have helped over three million students all over the world. He has also authored books on fitness, health and nutrition. His fourth book on the importance of the service industry will be published later this year.

Today, there are still so many people under the misconception that eating meat makes you strong. Through this article, I hope to show that not only does meat consumption fail to make you strong, but it is actually detrimental to your ability to perform to your fullest potential.

I will also share with you those personal experiences which have enabled me to understand the importance of adjusting my nutritional intake. In addition, I will explain how the body responds to certain foods , and how you can use proper food intake to improve your performance, whether you are a beginning or a professional tennis player.

All over the world , athletes are gradually starting to change their eating habits. Disappearing are the big steak dinners which are being replaced by complex carbohydrates (noodles , rice, pasta, potatoes and bread). But, this change in eating habits will take a long time to accomplish. Myths are slow to die.

In 1970, while on the professional tour, I met a group of doctors who were holding a symposium in Honolulu , Hawaii. One of the doctors advised me that an athlete should not consume meat, fish , poultry or eggs six months before an event in order to perform to his / her fullest potential. Since I had never eaten a salad before, and I did not like fruits , I was a little doubtful of this approach . However, I have always tried to keep an open mind so I decided to stay and listen. Four hours later, I left that meeting and I have not eaten meat, fish, poultry or eggs since. One year later, I scored the highest fitness index of any athlete in Canada. My left hand strength had increased 38 percent (I'm a righthanded player) without the benefit of lifting weights. Everything about my per-

formance, physiologically and physically, improved dramatically over that from previous years.

Many individuals are unaware that the strongest animals in the world are vegetarians: the bull , horse, elephant, hippopotamus and rhinoceros. Examples of weaker animals include the lion and the cat. They are quick but, without t11eir claws and teeth, they are very weak.

Now, let's examine what meat, fish poultry and eggs do to your system.

Since these foods are all high in cholesterol , they contribute to the arteriosclerotic build-up of plaque on the inner lining of the blood vessels. This makes the vessels smaller,therefore ,less oxygen can be carried in the blood stream. The less oxygen that reaches your muscles the sooner you will become fatigued and your overall level of performance will be reduced. It's as simple as that. In addition , there are several major factors that you should be aware of.

Anima l flesh takes approximately five days to pass through the human system.

This is because humans have a very long intestinal system - 12 times the length of the body. In add ition , humans have only one-twentieth the amount of hydrochloric acid that a carn ivore (meateater) has to break down tough fibrous tissue. Carnivores (dogs , cats, lions, etc.) have a short intestinal system- three to four times the length oftheir bodies. This allows the food they ingest to pass in and out of their bodies very quickly. In contrast, humans must expend a lot of energy to digest animal flesh . Fruits, grains and vegetables, however, have a relatively short transit time in the human body.

When we use up precious energy digesting food it depletes those energy resources that could help us play tougher and fight harder in that third set. (continued on page 6)

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(continued from page 3) We can go all out for every point and not have to worry about tiring when we eat a proper diet. For me, this is the biggest plus of a vegetarian diet. When I was a meat-eater I would almost always be struggling in the third set. After I became a vegetarian, however, I was able to remain strong throughout five sets. This is a big psychological advantage.

Another point that tennis players and athletes must consider is that meat, fish , poultry and eggs are highly toxic foods.

This means that the body must work very hard to rid itself of these poisons . Therefore, extra energy has to be diverted to clean out the body. Tennis players need to utilize all of their available resources ; we should not waste energy. When we place extra stress on our bodies to rid these toxins , a number of peripheral problems result.

In addition to the physical strain on your body there are emotional factors .

For example, the body, in its effort to rid itself of these poisons , becomes tired or works overtime. Therefore, you are not afforded the same available energy to concentrate. This can be critical when playing important points . Players are always complaining that they have trouble concentrating and that their minds wander. One of the ways to improve concentration is to keep your body in a harmonious state. It is easy to understand that if your body is in turmoil because you have eaten the wrong foods you wi II not be able to focus properly. One only has to note that when the body is in pain it is tough to concentrate on the job that you are doing . Many athletes today are involved in yoga or meditation to assist them in their goal of concentrating better. Most yoga and meditation programs

LeHers to the Editor

6

encourage a non-flesh diet.

My first year as a vegetarian was tough. Other players on the professional tour gave me a hard time and almost everyone told me I was either going to die or get very sick. I look back now and am amazed that I survived all of the negativism and skepticism.

What helped me most were the results I experienced after my early years as a vegetarian . ! became a vegetarian as an experiment because I wanted to improve my performance. During that first year, I was a closet vegetarian. I ate by myself because at almost every meal individuals challenged me. Today it is different; people ask questions because they are genuinely interested. But, back then , they only challenged my diet and warned me of all of the bad things that would happen. They offered no foundation or basis for what they said- just warnings. I realize now how misinformed these people were and still are when it comes to nutrition .

Even today, many people eat meat, fish , poultry and eggs for the protein.

These individuals are obsessed with protein. However, there are two important things to note. First, it is not protein that your body needs , but the amino acids that make up the protein. For example, if your body receives the amino acid lysine, it does not know where it came from, a vegetable or a chicken .

Second, protein doesn 't build strength.

Only exercise can do that.

Remember, the person sitting at a desk requires the same amount of protein as the marathon runner. Also , extra protein is not stored in your body in the form of protein. It is either removed (taxing your system unnecessarily) or it is

Mr. President, I just want to pass on my appreciation to you for the fine professional contributions one of your members gave to my students .

Todd A. Andrews , a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association , drove past my school last year and saw that the students were receiving tennis instructions byme.Todd came by, introduced himself and offered his assistance.! explained that I had very little experience in tennis and that I was giving instructions based on a workshop given by the United States Tennis Association . I expressed delight in the possibility of giving the students instruction by a professional. After working out all the details , Todd came up with a plan.

I took ten different classes to Todd 's tennis club and he gave each an one

converted to fat and sugar. Taking on more fat is not an ideal situation for an athlete (except maybe a sumo wrestler).

Tennis players involved in competition should strive fora lean body mass. Fruits, grains and vegetables supply all of the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals your body needs. Don 't be fooled by fancy advertising or marketing campaigns which try to tell you otherwise.

Tennis players should adhere to a complex carbohydrate diet. Today, most nutritionists agree that 70-80 percent of your food intake should be composed of carbohydrates . This is because they serve as long-term sources of energy.

Carbohydrates can be broken down into glycogen and stored in the muscles and the liver. Tennis players often play two or three matches per day, therefore, they need long-term energy. Also, carbohydrates are easy to digest and the Fl RST out of the stomach and ready to be absorbed into the body for use.

There is only one reason for eating meat, fish , poultry and eggs- they taste good. That's it! When you weigh the pluses and minuses of these foods ,they do nothing more than deteriorate your overall short-term or long-term health.

Remember, that the food you eat is the single most important influence on the health of your body. This is why players such as Martina Navratilova and Ivan Lendl have made dramatic changes in their diets. It doesn't matter what level of player you are, being conscious of the fuel you put in your body will go a long way toward helping you advance to the next level . o

a

hour lesson. After short . lecture and demonstration the students got to hit balls at targets on the other side of the net. The students that hit the targets were given prizes (sweat bands , tennis balls, visors , T-shirts , shoe strings . . . and free tennis lessons) . Not only that, he managed to get me almost twenty new and used racquets to use in my physical education classes .

Todd gave the students a look into tennis I could never offer. A number of students have shown an interest in tennis and even gone on to take instructions.

Todd A. Andrews is a true dedicated professional. He is an ambassador for your organization and tennis .

Edward J. Peterson Jr. Physical Education Teacher Pinecrest Elementary

Successful Interviewin~

by Randy Stephens

H

aving sent a professionally prepared resume, along with a cover letter addressed to the individual possessing the power to hire, you have now been selected for an interview. Your background and your qualifications have made you one of the chosen few selected for a personal interview.

During the few minutes you spend with the selection committee (Club Manager, Director of Tennis, etc.) your future will be determined. Success or failure depends on YOU! It is vital that you convince the interviewer in the short time you have with him / her that you are the most qualified cand idate for the position. To accomplish this , preliminary preparation is important.

Research the Employer Start with the person(s) who will be conducting the interview. Find out his/ her name, title, hobbies and educational background.

This information may initially seem difficult to obtain , but can usually be gained through calling the individual 's secretary or a colleague. Such knowledge will prove helpful when answering questions during the interview. For instance, you may be asked what type of activities you enjoy in your spare time.

Your hobbies may include golf and backpacking. Through your research , you discovered that your interviewer is an avid hiker and an officer in the local Touch the Earth Club. Therefore, you might want to elaborate on your interest in hiking and nature. This information will be even more helpful if the interview is informal, with more time spent with the interviewer. In this setting, the interview will be more like a conversation than a

Randy Stephens is the Tennis Manager for the City of Maco n, Georgia and the President of USPTA's Southern Division. He serves on the Advisory Board of National Tennis Week and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Tennis Association. In addition, Stephens acts as the Boys Ranking Chairman for the Southern Tennis Association and as the Volunteer Tenn is Director for the Georgia Special Olympics . He has also been chosen to coach the Georgia Junior Davis Cup and the Southern Tennis Association 's Girls and Boys 1416 Intersectional Teams.

Stephens was selected three times by his peers as the Georgia Tennis Professional of the Year and the Southern Tennis Profess ional of the Year in 1986. He obtained his US PTA Master Profession al rating in 1987.

question and answer session , therefore, you will probably have an opportunity to discuss areas outside the limits of the job .

In addition to researching the interviewer(s), it is imperative that you research the companyorclub.lfthe corporation is publiclyowned,you can find a great deal of information at your local library. If you are interviewing at a private club, however,the information may be a little more

difficult to get. But, with a few telephone calls to past and present employees, and neighboring clubs or members, you can obtain information regarding the organizational structure, employee benefits, working conditions and financial situation , etc. of the facility.

Along with the knowledge gained from researching the interviewer(s) and the company will cometh at all important confident (not cocky!) attitude to carry into the interview. Imagine how comfortable you will feel (and how impressed they will be if you use this knowledge wisely) by knowing more about them than they know about you!

One additional task you should complete before the interview is to try to anticipate the questions that will be asked so that you will be fully prepared.

To do this , prepare a list of sample questions that someone can ask you in a "mock interview." These should cover your past from questions such as, "Tell me about your childhood? " to "Why did you leave your last job? " Be prepared to answer questions regarding your philosophy of teaching tennis (i.e., "Do you teach a circular or a straight backswing , and why? ") Finally, you will want to be prepared to address questions relating to their concerns regarding the job, such as , "We had a problem arise recently that we are unsure how to deal with. Several of our pros have complained about junior players using too many of the courts on Saturdays. They feel juniors should not be able to play until after 4:00 p.m.on Saturdays. How do you feel about this? " Obviously, you cannot prepare a list of every possible question that might be asked in the interview. However, the more questions you have prepared for, (continued on page 9)

7

(continued from page 7) the more confident you will be. And , as you will learn from the interviewing process , knowledge builds confidence!

After the basic preparation has been completed , several important points concerning the actual interview itself should be considered.

Appearance Unless you are specifically asked not to wear a suit or a dress , you should dress the same as any other professional person interviewing for a job.

Be sure that the clothing you select for the interview is conservative and in good taste .

Although you probably will not be asked to do so, unless it has been discussed before the interview,always carry a complete tennis outfit (along with a rae-

quet) to the interview. Then, if you are asked to teach a lesson or hit a few balls, you can say, "I have my clothes and racquet in my car, I'll be happy to change ."

This is one additional way to show that you are prepared for any situation while giving you a little more confidence .

Materials to Take to the Interview You should carry a briefcase or other suitable folder to the interview to hold any materials you think you will need .

This will show the interviewer that a tennis racquet is nottheonlypieceofequipment you .use in your career. Make sure you have several copies of your resume with you . They may have misplaced the copy you sent, or the interview may be conducted by a committee which has

only that one copy you mailed when applying for the job .

If you have held previous tennis positions and have kept a scrapbook of events , copies of articles you have written or that have been written about you , programs from tournaments you have directed or other items of interest, take these to the interview.You may be able to answer a question by showing an example of something you have done previously .These items can be incorporated into your answers , if used sparingly, without your having to "place them on the table" in an egotistical manner.

Answering Questions The experienced interviewer will ask questions that will allow you to do most of the talking . Most questions will not (continued on page 10)

US PTA NATIONAL CONVENTION Palm Springs, California September 17¡25, 1988

For further information see pages 14 and 15.

9

(continued from page 9) solicit a "yes" or "no" answer, but will be thought provoking.

When you are asked a question, think first, then speak. The brief period of silence may seem like an eternity, however, it is important to gather your thoughts before you speak and to give an honest response to the question. Do not try to respond to questions with the type of answers the interviewer wants to hear, but with honest responses of how you feel. You may be wrong in "second guessing" the interviewer or you may compromise yourself to the pointthat the job would no longer interest you if it were offered.

Once you have prepared for the interview, both mentally and physically, it is important to realize that you have done all you can to achieve success. You must try to approach the interview in a confident and relaxed manner. If you have done your best to prepare yourself, that is all that you can ask. Adequate preparation is no guarantee that the interview will go as you would like or that you will be hired , but it certainly is a step in the right direction.

Regardless of the amount of research and mock interviewing you go through in preparing yourself, nothing can take the place of actual interviewing to gain

confidence. By interviewing for a variety of jobs to acquire experience, when the position you would really like to take comes along, you will have been exposed to many different situations and questions. This experience will prove invaluable in leading you through the interviewing process , as well as a successful job search. n

Editor's Note: This article was excerpted from The USPTA Tennis Professional's Business Manual.

Questions to Ask Prepare a list of questions (and memorize them if possible)thatyou want to ask the interviewer. Areas of concern ¡ should regard your predecessor (i .e., why is he/she no longer working here?), the future and the responsibilities of the position and any additional questions you may have developed from your earlier research of the company.

One question you should avoid asking or answering is in reference to compensation. Keep putting this off if at all possible. Your response when asked cou ld be, "I would like to find out a little more about the job responsibilities first."

The more they find out about you , the more impressed they should become, thus adding flexibility to your salary/ compensation negotiations.

Discover a new vision of paradise.

THE WESTIN KAUAI

Tennis pros are invited to experience The Westin Kauai themselves through our Tennis Pro Referral Program.

Thank¡You LeHer Immediately following the interview, send a thank-you letter to the individual who spent time discussing the position with you . This letter can also include any points you left out of the interview. Try to mail the letter on the same day as the interview at the post office nearest the interview site. It may be received in the next day's mail while the interview is still fresh ,and your promptness certainly will not hurt!

Receive complimentary accommodations when you accompany groups offive or more guests.

Earn complimentary accommodations for referring guests to Tbe Westin Kauai.

Common P1Halls The more experience you gain interviewing, the more confidence you wi ll have. However, certain pitfalls should be avoided from the beg inn in g. Three of the four leading reasons for which interviewers eliminate prospective employees can be avoided in the first 30 seconds of the interview: (1) poor appearance, (2) weak handshake and (3) shaky eye contact. The fourth pitfall , the inability to express yourself clearly, can be easily overcome by preparing thoroughly before the interview. This will allow you to respond to questions in a confident manner. However, be careful that your answers do not become so rehearsed that they lack spontaneity or genuineness .

10

Experience The Westin Kauai at Kauai Lagoons. Ride in private carriages drawn by noble Clydesdales, lavish yourself in a fullservice spa, play golf on two 18 hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus or just relax beside our 34,000 square foot pool.

For details or to make a reservation call our Director of Tennis: Ron Romano 1 800 533- 3070

~

THE. WESTIN KAUAI Kaual Lagoons

Nine Ways to Improve Your Tennis Language

by Kurt W . Ehrhardt

The

language .of tennis is almost a language in itself. Since I am trilingual , I found myself motivated to analyze and study my fourth language- tennis.

However, as is true in every language, the language of tennis contains some terms, usages and expressions which should be more correctly and more literally applied . Many words are repeatedly used in contexts which create confusion and misconceptions. In turn , the playing public is misinformed and these resulting misunderstandings hinder their enjoyment and understanding of the game.

Consequently, I would appreciate the privilege of attempting to correctly and accurately define and clarify what several tennis terms actually mean in a technical sense. Furthermore, it is time to clear up and correct misinformation and the resulting discrepancies . This lesson in linguistics will enable the general playing public to improve their comprehension and appreciation of the tennis language. Tennis has continued to advance in leaps and bounds but, in some cases, the media has not advanced at the same rate and has unknowingly and unintentionally propagated and passed on several half-truths and misconceptions .

For example, the terms backspin (underspin) and slice (sidespin) are ceaselessly portrayed as identical twins .

The two spins are similar, but are not identical. Television commentators especially mix and interchange synonymously these two types of ball rotation. In turn , they fail to enlighten and

inform their audiences as to what really is taking place. This constant and reciprocal interchanging of the terms slice and backspin is confusing and misleading , therefore , impairing the viewers '

Kurt W. Ehrhardt is currently employed as head professional at the Allgauer Tenn is Camp in Sylt, West Germany. In add ition, he coaches several nationally ranked German players.

Ehrhardt serves as an instructional and contributing editor for the German tennis publication, Tennis Revue. He has also authored the videocassette, Turbo Tennis, as well as the soon to be released book, Tennis en Detail.

Ehrhardt earned a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana State University where he also played varsity tennis.

comprehension of the game. When a player executes an approach shot with a backhand , he/she is likely to implement a sidespin to move the ball away from his / her opponent. This technique will create a sideways or lateral turning of the ball. Therefore, the ball will stay low and will slide away from the opponent. Had the player hit only an underspin , the ball would have gone primarily straight ahead, stayed low and turned in a backward direction.

Perhaps , the best way to clear up this misconception and misinterpretation is to analyze the two instances in which a slice and an underspin are more easily distinguished and applied . For example, a slice serve breaks extremely sideways and moves the opponent away from the court and wide to the outside. In order to accomplish this , a player must meet the left side of the ball. This concept is elementary. To turn the ball sideways (slice), one must brush the side of the ball. In contrast, to rotate the ball in a backward direction (backspin), one must strike the back of the ball.

An example of an underspin (backspin) is most vividly seen when a player attempts a drop shot or drop volley. In this case , the direct upper part of the ball 's backside is initially contacted , thus turning the ball in a drastic backward direction . The ball "drops" off the racquet, bites directly into the court and succumbs . The cause and effect of slice and underspin are distinct. The public , therefore, needs to be truthfully and correctly informed .

Another tennis fable concerns the

11

backhand smash . One hears repeatedly that the backhand smash is the "most difficult shot" in tennis. My students, however, have found the backhand smash easier than the forehand smash , although not as forceful. I conducted a survey in my camp to compare the difficulty of the backhand versus the forehand smash .Sixty percent of the respondents indicated upon their arrival at camp that the backhand smash is the more difficult. However, upon departure, only 15 percent repeated their initial answer. The reasons for this astonishing result are purely biomechanical. First, the body automatically positions itself sideways during a backhand. Second , the hitting shoulder is the most forward .

Third, hitting up to the ball is more natural and automatic on the backhand side because the back of the hand is used and the wrist must go/ project itself in an upward direction. In direct comparison , the forehand smash uses the palm of the hand while the forearm and the wrist propel themselves more¡ naturally downward.

Furthermore,the motion which occurs during the forehand is much more complex than during the backhand due to the complicated and intricate motion which takes place blindly behind the back of the player. The backhand is relatively easier because the shot starts to the side of the body with the racquet below the elbow. With only one snapping and extending motion , the racquet arrives at the ball.

Because it is already known and accepted that during a smash the path of the racquet must be upward , the anatomical advantage of hitting a backhand smash is indisputable. What the media really means is that the backhand smash is the stroke which is the "least practiced and used." The backhand smash 's degree of difficulty is not higher than the forehand , but rather its force and velocity are less .

Still on the subject of smashes, one very often hears the term overhead applied. This terminology creates a false and deceptive idea and , consequently , a bogus concept. Simply stated , professionals do not attempt to smash a lob over their heads but, rather somewhat,to the side of their heads. Thus , the use of the term "overhead " is inaccurate and misleading. The clarifi cation between overhead and smash is only logical because if the point of impact were directly over the head , the player could not rotate his/ her body parts in the correct sequence and direction . A righthanded player will normally execute his/

12

her point of impact on the rightsideofthe head at approximately one o 'clock , not at high noon.An "over-the-head " point of impact would destroy the fluidity and segment the racquet's movement.

Therefore, on behalf of the general public,it would be more beneficial to use the term "smash " instead of overhead.

Then , players would not attempt to meet the ball "over their heads," but more to the side of their heads .

Many good and experienced players think in terms of a passing shot as only down the line. This tendency is seen even stronger in doubles competition in which the player atthe baseline attempts to scream a ball pass the net player in his/her alley. Naturally, the success quota achieved with this tactic is low.

The reasons are three-fold : 1) The net in regards to down the line is 15 centimeters higher, 2) Most of the balls will arrive from an angle. To change a crooked angle to a straight angle is very difficult due to the trajectory of the ball and the angle of deflection on the racquet head, and 3) A down the line passing shot must be absolutely perfect or the net player can volley away the shot crosscourt to the very exposed court.

Court coverage against a returning volley from a down the line passing shot is at its poorest. One should attempt to go down the line only when both feet are on or before the baseline. Aiming more to the middle when attempting a passing shot from behind the baseline would reduce these needless and expensive errors. When under pressure, on the run or behind or outside of the court, one should direct balls to the middle of the court. This is where the net is the lowest and the opponent has the least amount of and most dangerous angles to choose from.

The next language barrier to conquer ¡ is the use of the term "put away and volley" at the net. "To put away" encourages the net player to kill , blast and annihilate the easy volley which is approximately at eye level. The results are disasterous and disappointing. Either the ball is clearly out, dumped in the net, or still in reach of the opponent. These nuclear volleys are senseless because the ratio of mistakes to winners is disappointing . Why not abandon nuclear power, to put away, with the term "angle away? " The utilization of the outside of the ball will create a sharp, angled and unreachable volley which lands in front of the service Iine and bounds away from the opponent's court . This shot is easier to execute and reduces the high risk factor of nuclear volley fallout.

Another misconception deals with the tactic of the first serve. Too many players consider a first serve as a must to produce an outright ace or winner. This mentality creates extra stress on the psyche of the serving player, since the successful execution of this tactic is negligible. The first serve is the best opportunity to place the opponent in his/ her weakest position from which he/ she is induced to respond defensively. A first serve, aimed at the hip on the racquet side of the opponent, is the most effective.A weak return and a chance to angle away the easy volley is likely to occur most often. In addition , when the server needs his/ her second serve less often , he/she will make fewer double faults and will not be put automatically on the defensive.

The next lesson in linguistics sheds light on the following two teaching cliches used in reference to groundstrokes: 1) I am always late and 2) I am standing incorrectly to the ball. These two phrases are uttered repeatedly by teaching professionals and players. Both expressions only indicate the end-effect of the actual problem . The source of the mistake is not standing incorrectlyortoo close to the ball, and the execution of the preparation is not late, but rather the problem is the length of the backswing.

The origin of these dilemmas is undoubtedly and universally found in a backswing which is too long . This error takes place most often on the forehand side. During the execution of a backswing the natural and normal tendency is to straighten and lock the hitting arm to attain more velocity and racquet speed.

This overextension of the hitting arm creates a stroke pattern which is excessive in length and requires more time to perform. Consequently, the point of impact is farther behind the body, which in turn , is too close. To accommodate this closeness to the body, the cramping of the arm is necessary. This is clearly evident because the player must bend and draw his/ her hitting arm inward to meet the ball. The most common tip given is to "take the ball earlier." But, how is that possible when the distance that the racquet must travel is too long? This theory only frustrates the player because he/ she can never take the ball early enough .

In a careful study of 30 world class professionals and their forehands , each professional employed a bent and elevated elbow of the hitting arm during the backswing phase. This automatically shortened the length of the backswing and enabled the player to swing away from his/ her body - from the inside to

the outside. This pattern produced a longer stroke radius , more velocity, a better directed swing to the target and a point of impact further forward.

This last myth is my favorite! The synonymous usage of the term "approach shot" in cases in which the player has implemented topspin or underspin puzzles me.This distinction is very important because the tactic of a topspin approach shot is totally different from that of an underspin approach shot. Therefore, I would not use the term "approach shot" to reference a ball struck with topspin and velocity from the service line area.

This is because the player did not intend to approach the net and eventually conquer the net with a winning volley, but rather, wanted to win the point outright.

According to Reget's Thesaurus , the word "approach " means to advance, draw near,stalk or move toward .A player utilizing a topspin cruncher has no inten-

tion to advance, move toward or to stalk; he/she wants a direct assassination.

This shot should no longer be considered and described as an approach shot but, rather,as attempting a "winning shot" from the mid-court.

To approach means to prepare oneself for the opposition 's advances so that the ensuing volley is the crowning of the approach . The differences between a "winning shot" and an "approach shot" are enormous . When executing a "winning shot," the forward advancing player does not want or expect a returning ball but, rather, the point immediately.

Whereas, with an actual "approach shot" the approaching player makes his/ her way to the net as in a chess game. The player will first take the queen with an underspin approach shot, and then with his/ her second move from the net, the king by using a checkmating volley .

With so much talk over the decline of

tennis in the United States, one could assume that players often quit the game, or do not play regularly, because they do not understand the language of tennis .

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the tennis industry to reform and improve tennis language skills . The unidiomatic and misusages of tennis terms inhibit the fluency and the communication of our sport. Colloquial , dialectal and idiomatic expressions must be correct and better defined. Perhaps, our sport needs Daniel Webster!

H

United States Tennis Association Announces

The USTA Tennis Facility Awards J

J

To honor outstanding CAT&lORIES: tennis fadlltles under the 0 Small tennis centers (4-10 courts). jurisdiction of: 0 Large tennis centers (11 or more courts).

• a parks and recreation o Large tennis centers with permanent and I or deparbnent temporary spectator seating (minimum 1,000).

• an educational institution. o Tournament tennis centers with permanent stadium • industrial complexes. seating (minimum 3,000) and outer courts.

Deadline for receipt of application: June 3, 1988 Dr8ch .... lletwn liD:

~------------------------1 Facility Awards Committee A1 I USTA Center for Education and Recreational Tennis 1 I 707 Alexander Road • Princeton, New Jersey 08540 I I Please send an application for USTA Tennis Facility Awards to: I I I I ~~ I I I I I City I I 1 Zip 1 I Phone I Address

Slate

13

USPTA

''I

14

1988 NATIONAL CONVENTION ; THE NEW AGE OF TENNIS''

Rns

and preparations are currently under way to ensure the success of this year's USPTA National Convention , "The New Age ofTennis."

The USPTA National Championships have been scheduled to take place on September 17-20 and the USPTA National Team Championships have been set for September 21-24. In addition , the Third Annual USPTA Golf Tournament has been planned for September 20.

Theseminarsessions will begin on September 21 and conclude on September 24.

Seminar modules will address the following topics: Business ofTennis ,Teaching ,Activities, Sports Medicine, Technology and Facilities and Maintenance.

In addition to member activities , a full schedule of events is being planned for member spouses including: special seminars , a luncheon, tennis , aerobics , fun runs and the Prince Ball Machine Clinic. Also, a Mixed Doubles Fun Event is being scheduled for both members and their spouses.

Watch for complete convention details , including the tournament entry form , in upcoming issues .

15

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Silence is Golden

by Al Secunda

Do

we tennis teachers talk too much to our students during a lesson?

For years , I thought that if I did not talk a lot while giving a lesson that my student would not be getting his / her money's worth. I was concerned that he/she would interpret some silence as representing a lack of knowledge, interest or enthusiasm. After all , we've seen how quiet an incompetent or disinterested teacher can be. Nonetheless , a little less talking need not always denote a poor lesson or a poor teacher. In fact, thoughtful silence at the right time can be an indication of a teacher who is competent, caring and wise. Below are a few techniques for making the best use of silence during a lesson .

AI Secund a teaches tennis in the Los Angeles area. He is the c reator of Ultimate Tennis which is availab le in t:>ook and videocassette form. In addition, his revol utionary "Tennis Tips" have ap peared on many stations including U .S A. Network.Secunda is a mem ber of US PTA.

Keep it Short Research has shown that an individual's attention span and learning capacity tends to decrease after the first 30 seconds. (This is why many television news stories are only 30 seconds long .)

Distill your instructions by keeping each message short, specific and simple.

Make believe that you must put your directions in the form of a telegram and that each word is costing you a dollar.

Keep the Student Verbally Involved Create a drill in which your student does most of the talking . Give him/ her one specific action to execute- turning sideways ,creati ng a wide base,etc.After the student has executed each stroke, have him / her say yes or no depending on whether he/she feels that the action has been successfully executed. The student is to comment solely on the pure 18

execution of the specific action , not on the result (where the ball went) . The only time you need to speak is when the student's observations are incorrect.

Tailor Your Comments Because every student has a different personality and learning capacity, some will have a greater need than others to hear your comments . Be flexible. Don 't get locked into one strict teaching format. Let your student experience a series of balls during which you comment on every ball , then on every other ball , then on every third , fourth and fifth ball . Afterwards , let him / her decide which format is the most comfortable.

This drill will help you to avoid a situation in which your student is thinking, "If only my teacher wouldn't talk so much , I'd be doing a lot better."

Wait for a PaHern Be patient. Don 't verbalize your observations until you see a pattern developing. Rather than commenting on many different random mistakes ,wait until you see the same error occur several times. Once you can predict the student's error, make him /her aware of it and , provide a specific action to correct it.

' Conduct a "Hearing" Test Every now and then , check to see if your student is really hearing what you 're saying . You may find that the student is so absorbed in his/ her own inner dialogue that he/ she hasn 't been listening to your pearls of wisdom . To test your student's "hearing ," try giving him/ her a

nonsensical instruction .ln a normal tone of voice make such comments as : "Great, now throw your shoe over the net. Super, now keep that ball on your nose. Right, now pour some juice in your racquet cover." If your student reacts to what you've said , compliment his/ her alertness . If, however, he/she is oblivious to your comments you need to ask yourself, "What else isn 't my student hearing?"

Let the Student Conduct the Wrap-up Rather than summarizing the lesson for your student, ask him/ her to sum-

marize it for you . What has he/ she really learned? (Sometimes you 'd be amazed at how vague and forgetful a student can be .) Afterwards , you can refine your student's summary by making it more specific and simple. You can also use this time to clarify any points he/ she may have misunderstood.

Energize, don't Vocalize Try to rely on more than just shouting to bring energy and excitement to the court. Our entire bodies, not just our voices , should exude enthusiasm .

(Actors ,when they don 't have any Iines to say, must develop this high energy skill .

Why not tennis teachers?) If you had

laryngitis and still wanted to add excitementto a lesson , how would you accomplish this? The ability to add energy, interest and love in a silent state is one of the signs of a master teacher .

In closing , I believe that it is very important for tennis teachers to verbally streamline a lesson . The more we can distill the information , the less we will need to talk and , the easier it will be for our students to absorb, remember and apply our instructions . lt's easy to further complicate a complicated subject.

What's difficult is to simplify it. With fewer, shorter and more specific directions , we might just discover that "silence" is an important teaching tool.

H

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UPCOMING EVENTS California Division Pro/Am Tournament- May 13-15, 1988- Upland Tennis Club- Upland , CA

New England Division Convention- May 20-22 , 1988 - Stowe, VT

Eastern Division USPTA Eastern Hardcourts May 7-15, 1988- Flushing Meadow ParkFlushing Meadow, NY

New England Division Tournament- May 20-22, 1988- Topnotch at Stowe- Stowe, VT

DATES THAT RATE The following dates and sites have been scheduled for US PTA educational events in 1988. For further information, contact the US PTA National Headquarters at (813) 973-3777 .

Tennis Teachers' Workshops January 30-31 Tampa, FL February 16-1 7 Atlanta, GA February 27-28 Murrieta, CA February 27-28 Detroit, Ml February 27-28 Rochester, NY March 13-14 Carmel Valley, CA March 19-20 Miami , FL March 22 -23 Las Vegas, NV March 26-27 Birmingham , AL April 9-1 0 Cleveland/ Akron , OH April17-18 La Jolla, CA April23-24 Chicago, IL April 30-May 1 Tampa , FL May 1-2 Maui , HI May 7-8 Big Rapids , Ml May 8-9 Marco Island , FL Vienna, VA May 15-16 Tyler, TX May 16-17 Stowe, VT May 20-21 Wilmington , DE May 21-22

June 18-19 June 18-19 July 10-11 July 23-24 July 30-31 July 31-August 1 August 20-21 September 11 -12 September 24-25 September 26-27 October 22-23 November 20-2 1 December 1 7-18

Houston, TX New Haven, CT Murrieta, CA Flushing , NY Nashville, TN Vienna, VA Denver, CO Dal las, TX Palm Springs, CA Chicago, IL Hilton Head, SC Los Gatos, CA Tampa, FL

Tennis Teachers' Courses January 27-29 February 24-26 March 23-25 Apri l20-22 April 27-29 May 12-14 June15-17 July 27-29 August 1 7-19 October 19-21 November 17-19 December 1 4-16

Tampa, FL Murrieta, CA Birmingham, AL Chi cago, IL Tampa, FL Vien na, VA Houston, TX Nashvi lle, TN Denver, CO Hilton Head, SC Los Gatos, CA Tampa , FL

Tests/Upgrades May 1 Maui , HI May 2-3 Lawrence, KS May 7-8 Big Rapids , Ml May 8-9 Marco Island , FL May15-16 Vienna, VA Woodland Hills , CA May 16 Tyler, TX May16-17 May 17 Flushing , NY May 20-21 Stowe, VT May 21 Bradenton , FL Wilmington , DE May 21-22 May 28-29 Niceville, FL June 3-4 Burnsville , M N June 4-5 Bellevue, WA June 5-6 Denver, CO June 5-6 Albuquerque , N M June 6 Santa Barbara, CA June 6 Aptos , CA June 14 Flushing , NY June 18-19 Houston , TX June 18-19 New Haven , CT July 9-10 Frankfort, KY July 10-11 Murrieta, CA July 11 Newport Beach, CA July 11 Chicago , IL Jackson , MS July 16-17 July 23-24 Flushing , NY Nashville, TN July 30-31 July 31-August 1 Vienna , VA 21

INDUSTRY ACTION USPTA OmCIAL CONDUCTS WORKSHOP AT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

22

repair, frame design and product information .

The Ferris Professiona l Tennis Management Program , the only one of its kind in the United States,was developed jointly by FSU and USPTA to meet the increased need for ski lled tennis professionals.This unique program leads to a baccalaureate degree in marketing through the Ferris School of Business.

BIG RAPIDS, Ml - George Bacso, director of certification and academies for the Un ited States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), recently instructed Ferris State University (FSU) professional tennis management students during a two-day visit.

TOM GULLIKSON NAMED USTA NATIONAL COACH

Bacso conducted a Teaching Techniques Workshop featuring both classroom and on-court sessions . The workshop, a course requirement in the Ferris Professional Tennis Management Program, was held at the FSU Racquet and Fitness Club .

Bacso 's presentation was the third in a series of classes conducted by vis iting professionals . United States Tennis Association officials E. Alan Simpson and Carol Rogers Simpson taught a Tournament Administration Workshop and Jill Workman , executive director of the United States Racquet Stringers Association , presented a Racquet Repair Workshop on stringing techniques, grip

PRINCETON, NJ- Tom Gullikson has been selected as a national coach by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for the Association 's Player Development Program. Gullikson , the 1987 U.S. Open and Wimbledon 35 and over singles and doubles champion,will begin his duties May 1, 1988.

Gullikson is the first of several national coaches to be named. The national coaches will share responsibility for coordinating USTA training programs and scouting systems , planning and managing regional training camps , traveling an assigned region to work with the personal coac hes of top players, coaching members ofthe USTA National Team at various events and providing specialized training events for USTA coaches .

"I am delighted to welcome Tom to the USTA Player Development staff," said Gordon Jorgensen , USTA president and chairman of the board. "He has demonstrated excellence in coaching young players , outstanding success on the professional circuit and a keen knowledge of what is required for young players to reach maximum ability levels.

This appointment is another major step for USTA in our player development commitment."

Gullikson has worked with touring professionals Brad Gilbert, Manuela and Katerina Maleeva and John Ross .

This past year, he claimed championship titles in the Prudential Bache Grand Champions (35 and over) singles and doubles tournaments .

"Since playing on the professional circuit from 1975-1986, I've always loved

tennis and wanted to stay in the game.

As a national coach, this is a way for me to make a positive contribution back to American tennis . I look forward to working with the finest talent in the U.S .," said Gullikson ,a touring professional at Palm Coast Players Club in Florida.

IS YOUR TENNIS FACILITY AN AWARD WINNER? PRINCETON, NJ- The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is looking for outstanding public tennis facilities to recognize during the eighth annual USTA Tennis Facility Awards Program. The facility awards are designed to encourage excellence in future construction and/or renovation of existing tennis facilities .

To qualify,facilities must be underthe jurisdiction of either a parks and recreation department, an educational institution ,oran industrial complex. In additkm , four categories of awards have been established to encourage the parti cipation of all tennis facilities regardless of size or financial commitment. The categories are: small tennis centers (4-1 0 courts) , large tennis centers (11 or more courts) , large tennis centers with permanent or temporary spectator seating capacity of at least 1 ,000 and tournament tennis centers with permanent stadium seating (minimum capacity of 3,000) and outer courts . lfyourfacility meets the above qualifications , be sure to contact USTA. In addition to national recognition , faci lity owners will be presented with a wall plaque, a large lexan sign and a complimentary one-year membership in USTA. Award certificates will also be available to parks and recreation departments, schools , corporations , as well as to professionals responsible for the design , construction and maintenance of the winning facilities .

Applications are available through all USTAsection and district offices or by writing to: Facility Awards Committee, USTA Center for Education and Recreational Tennis , 707 Alexander Road , Princeton , New Jersey 08540. All applications must be received by June 3,1988.

ANDY HERB TAKES PENN ATHLETIC PRODUCTS SALESMAN OF THE YEAR HONORS PHOENIX, AZ (March, 1988) - Penn Athletic Products has named Andy Herb as salesman of the year .

Herb began his career with Penn in 1974, working summers at the Penn Factory in Jeannette, Pennsylvania.

For the past 1Oyears , Herb has played an aggressive role in Penn Athletic Product's sales efforts with responsibility for the territory including New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode ' Island , Pennsylvania and New York .

Selection for salesman of the year is based on total number of sales, sales versus quota attainment and overall outstanding performance.

Herb is married and lives in Hackensack, New Jersey.

effort to improving recreational tennis in theircommunity," explained Sean Sloane, director of recreational tennis for USTA. "Award winners are honored during the USTA National Tennis Teachers Conference and receive plaques and cash donations to their respective programs," he added .

All candidates must have at least three consecutive seasons of field work and be nominated by a minimum of two people familiar with the person 's work.

Members of the candidate's immediate family cannot be nominators. In addition , candidates must be approved by the local USTA Section and District.

Among the criteria to consider when nominating a person are: scope of his/ her program, amount of volunteer effort on behalf of the game, impact on the community's overall recreational picture, new and innovative features resulting from the candidate 's activities ; inspirational and motivational work with adults or juniors , involvement of other recreational groups in the establishment of a community oriented program and association with the local USTA Section and/or District.

Anyone interested in nominating an outstanding volunteer should write for an application to : USTA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS , USTA Center for Education and Recreational Tennis , 707 Alexander Road , Princeton , New Jersey 08540. Nominations must be mailed no later than June 10, 1988.

ADVANCED WHEELCHAIR TENNIS VIDEO OFFERED BY NFWT USTA WANTS TO HONOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS PRINCETON, NJ- The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced that nominations are being accepted for 1988 Community Service Awards.

"Each year the USTA presents its annual USTA Community Service Awards as a way of recognizing people who have contributed their time and

TUSTIN, CA -The National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis (N FWT) has produced an instructional videotape, entitled "Advanced Wheelchair Tennis ," announced NFWT President , Bradley A. Parks .

The 25 minute production is offered as a follow-up to N FWT's original videotape, "Tennis in a Wheelchair," which covers the basics of the sport. "Advanced Wheelchair Tennis " is designed for the competitive wheelchair tennis player and coach , rehabilitation centers and

tennis associations.

The tape covers such aspects of the game as moving ground strokes, hitting with spin, advanced serving , wheelchair mobility, singles and doubles strategies , preparing for a match ,drills and working with a coach .

Nationally-ranked wheelchair tennis players are featured demonstrating techniques and strategies . Appearing in the production are Rick Draney, Maureen Hannon ,David Kiley, Brad Parks , Russell Serr, Jan Sherman and Rick Slaughter.

For information on ordering these tapes ,pleasecontactthe National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis at (714) 259-1531 .

PENN ATHLETIC PRODUCTS APPOINTS PHIWP PEARCE TO SALES TEAM

PHOENIX, AZ (March , 1988) - Penn Athletic Products has appointed Phillip Pearce to represent the South Central territory.

Pearce is president of Active Collections , a manufacturer's representative company dealing primarily with activewear and sporting goods .

As an independent manufacturer's representative for Penn Athletic Products , Pearce will handle sales efforts in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi .

Prior to joining Penn in the fall of 1987, Pearce worked for Ron Murphy & Associates , an activewear and sporting goods supplier in Dallas .

Pearce resides in Lafayette, Louisiana.

23

''When You Need It, You Are Glad You Have It''

by Tim Heckler, Executive Diredor, USPTA

The

United States Professional Tennis Association (US PTA) provides an optional major medical insurance plan for its members. This plan,which may be purchased at excellent rates by participating members, offers broad benefits and covers medically necessary expenses on a "reasonable and customary" basis. The plan also covers pregnancy and includes coverage for routine hospital care of a newborn child. It was designed with the USPTA member and his or her family in mind by providing for the coverage of medical expenses on a worldwide basis.

In recent months, newspapers across the nation have continued to exhibit headlines such as , "Health insurance firms posting record losses; premiums rising," "Strategy on outpatient care is backfiring in costs area," "Health insurance premiums sky rocket" and "Blues' $1 B loss in '87 to trigger higher rates."

Not surprisingly, USPTA has been notified by its medical insurance company that they intend to raise rates effective May 1, 1988. The company stated the reason for this increase as "due to a higher than projected claim experience, a higher than anticipated medical care inflation, suppressed interest rates and adverse legislation in certain states which create higher costs in those areas."

Rates , however,wi ll not be increased in all 50 states. Some states wil l experience no increase at aii.The rate increases will be imposed solely upon those states generating claims ihat are greater than were anticipated. Therefore, if you are living in a state with high medical costs, you will receive a rate adjustment to your new medical insurance renewal premium notice on May 1, 1988.

This problem is notuniqueto US PTA's major medical plan. In fact , most health care plans across the nation are experiencing such increases. Blue Cross/ Blue Shield , the largest of the health insurers, lost an estimated one billion dollars in 1987 and sees very little relief for this problem in 1988. They are raising their rates 20-25 percent to keep up with increasing medical costs . Other companies are raising their rates from 1070 percent.

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This insurance industry crisis has been prompted by a number of factors.

One is the industry's mistaken expectation that health costs would increase only eight percent or less in 1987.

Instead, the actual increase was approximately 16-20 percent. Another factor can be attributed to insurance company payments of 100 percent on claims for outpatient procedures. Insurers thought that the use of outpatient facilities would reduce health care costs overall , but, in reality,they are finding that the use of outpatient facilities has doubled. In addition, hospitals have raised their daily inpatient and surgical room rates to offset the losses experienced due to this increased use of outpatient facilities .

The insurance industry predicts that a cyclical recovery will take place when costs level off. It will take about 18 months , however, before medical inflationary trends are reduced to acceptable levels.

USPTA is a part of this insurance industry problem. Last year,our loss ratio

was in excess of 130 percent. During the first four months of this policy year, even with the additional influx of new premiums through increased participation of our members in the plan, our claims are running 64 percent ahead of last years' claims. This is why our insurance company is requiring a rate increase of approximately 15 percent on the average.

It is anticipated that this rate increase will accomplish the following: 1. Increase premiums in those states that are generating the larger claim losses to help offset those losses .

2. Possibly eliminate the need for a major rate increase in the future.

3. Allow USPTA to continue to offer this excellent plan for its members without imposing plan restrictions and limitations in the future.

We want to assure you that we have reviewed the losses and loss ratio figures provided by our insurance company and that they are accurate. We have also reviewed other plans and compared them with the benefits and costs of the Association 's major medical plan and have found that our rates are still more than competitive in all 50 states. Those of you who now participate in the USPTA major medical plan and are concerned over the rate increase, should review other plans which are available to you.

Having done so, we are certain you wi ll agree that the program we have negotiated for our members is very valuable.

We wi ll cont inue to monitor this program carefully on behalf of our members. It is clear from the records made available to us that many members are receiving substantial benefits from the program in their times of need. It goes without saying that when claims exceed premiums, rates must go up.

However, it is also true that when losses decline, rates godown.We hope this will happen and we will continue to watch for every opportunity to insist on a corresponding reversal of rates .

As always, if you have any special concerns or questions , please do not hesitate to contact the USPTA National Headquarters, or our medical insurance broker at Association Group AdministraH tion , (312) 359-4210 .

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ilUJSPlrA. UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC.

at Saddlebrook, The Golf and Tennis Resort Wesley Chapel, FL 34249

BULK RATE US . POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 388 7 Tampa, FL