CEO’s message Tennis, a sport for the whole family I recently was interviewed by a producer with the tennis a family sport?” Lifetime network show “The Balancing Act.” It is Tennis time is family time a half-hour, magazine formatted series that targets First, it’s important to know that tennis is the busy women with a variety of topics, including fastest growing traditional sport in the United States, health, family, finances and lifestyle. The question according to the 2008 SGMA Sports Participation they posed to me was, “How is tennis a family Survey. It probably earned this distinction because it’s something a family can do together. Most tensport?” I was very excited about spreading the word nis facilities offer activities that target all ages and about tennis for this particular show because it has ability levels. Each family member can take lessons, and families can socialize with others by participatand always will be a family sport for me. ing in husband-wife or parent-child When I was introduced to tennis competitions and other fun events. at age 3, it was because my own family played the game, and my mother Practice makes perfect probably believed it was more convenient to push me onto the tennis Even if you’re not a tennis teacher, court instead of finding someone to you can help your children improve watch me while they went to the tentheir tennis skills and prepare for nis club. their competitions. If you’re a player yourself, it’s easier to help your child Back in the 1970s, I realized that practice, but every parent plays an exif I promoted lessons and other actremely important role as the support tivities for the youngest players, that mechanism for their children. So, I would entice both moms and dads Tim Heckler even if a parent doesn’t play the game, to the courts, my pro shop and to the they can support their children’s tenclub’s restaurant. I knew that getting the family involved in tennis was as good for business nis dreams and help them plan and execute effective practice sessions. as it was for the family. When I had my own children, there was never any doubt they’d play the game. I coached one of Competition for the whole family my stepsons to several national championships (12s, Speaking of competition, I know first hand that 14s and doubles), and introduced my three youngest traveling to tournaments, whether they’re local or children to the game through Little Tennis, which across the state, is a great bonding experience for was introduced by USPTA in 1994. They learned the whole family. Players have a built-in cheering the motor skills and basic strokes through Little section, and siblings who play the game will enjoy Tennis and played matches on small courts with the environment and look forward to their own smaller racquets and low-pressure balls (at the time tournaments. Families usually make friends with the Pro Penn Star). other families who travel the same tournament Today, my son David is playing college tennis, circles, which presents other social opportunities. Chelsea plays for her high school team and competes in USTA junior tournaments, and my youngest Tennis crosses gender boundaries daughter Mia takes lessons and is preparing for While I know there are always exceptions, it’s not tournament competition. likely that many dads are hanging around the dance So, here’s how I answer the question, “How is studio and assist their daughters with ballet skills.
I was very excited about spreading the word about tennis ... it has and always will be a family sport for me.
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ADDvantage/September 2009
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