Addvantage 2011 February

Maria Sharapova joins HEAD team!

contents the total professional – enhancing your career 11 Maria Sharapova combines style with performance as new HEAD player 17 HEAD launches new YouTek™ Speed Series racquets

departments 2 Executive Committee 3 Vice president’s message 5 Cardio Tennis 9 USPTA mailbox 10 Classifieds

20 USPTA Professionals raise more than $5 million for charity 20 USPTA provides grant to QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia

13 Pro to pro 22 Career development 24 Industry action

23 2011 USPTA Cardio Tennis Feeding Shootout – Target set-up instructions and rules

On the cover – The news is out! Maria Sharapova has joined the HEAD team! Sharapova, who is not only a tennis icon but also a fashion icon, will help strengthen HEAD’s women’s team, already including Victoria Azarenka and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Sharapova racquets and accessories will be launched on the retail market this fall.

volume 35 • issue 2

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 e-mail – magazine@uspta.org

Shawna Riley Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan John Dettor

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Editor Managing editor Circulation Advertising

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 USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ADDvantage/February 2011

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USPTA Executive Committee Division presidents, regional vice presidents and past national presidents:

California Division

National Board of Directors: Tom Daglis

President 301-340-6185

Randy Mattingley First vice president 281-358-2181

Bunny Bruning Vice president 515-285-1459

Mark Fairchilds Vice president 209-571-2582

Pierre Mareschal President 626-744-1650 Mike Gennette Regional vice president 805-495-0111

Middle States Division Bill Sember President 484-888-8329 Wilson Pipkin Regional vice president 717-898-3102

Pacific Northwest Division TBD President Hunter Lipscomb Regional vice president 541-753-1043

San Diego Division Eastern Division Warren Lem President 239-394-3144 Mark Savage Regional vice president 845-565-7600

Midwest Division Molly Card Beckmann President 317-582-1550, ext. 229 Paul Marcum Regional vice president 248-626-9880, ext. 4006

Nelson Alapi President 858-382-6571 Dophie Poiset Regional vice president 858-756-4459

Southern Division Florida Division Richard Centerbar President 561-487-7070 Dave Richardson Regional vice president 239-495-8100

Missouri Valley Division Kendell Hale President 816-436-1608 Angela Koumaris Regional vice president 405-848-2994

William Phillips President 337-849-5821 Pat Whitworth Regional vice president 678-482-6357

Southwest Division Chuck Gill Vice president 561-624-8900, ext. 8932

Jack Groppel, Ph.D. Vice president 847-658-1077

Hawaii Division Ken Nakama President 808-679-3197 Henry Somerville Regional vice president 808-395-3300

Vice president 407-438-9911

Harry Gilbert Immediate past president 386-793-0084

Jacques Faulise President 401-952-7000 Christopher Stevens Regional vice president 603-610-0183

Sara Stablein President 602-636-9840 Vicki Foster Regional vice president 602-930-8423

Texas Division Intermountain Division

Jim Loehr, Ed.D.

New England Division

Kim Davis President 719-536-0797 Alden Bock Regional vice president 303-232-6272

Mid-Atlantic Division Pat Hanssen President 434-295-6167 John Cleary Regional vice president 301-924-3450

Northern Division Brian McCoy President 763-656-1590 Dilcia Pederson Regional vice president 612-824-6099

Northern California Division John Sharpe President 925-283-5448 An drea Barnes Regional vice president 650-736-7272

Jim Sciarro President 903-581-7788 Joe Snailum Regional vice president

Past presidents Ron Woods (2005-2007) 361-991-7501 David T. Porter, Ed.D. (2003-2005) 808-675-3755 Joseph Thompson (1999-2003) 720-470-6550

Vice president’s message USPTA tackles inactivity with Tennis Across America™

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t the April 2010 Executive Committee some resources to help you accomplish the task at meeting in Houston, a discussion centered hand. around this question: What one thing could we, as USPTA members, do that wouldn’t This convenient collection of tools includes: require a major investment of time, energy or money, • Guidelines/testimonials/incentives to light a fire yet would benefit our current members and generate under all of us, understanding that we can make new members? In fact, it became a mantra that Mark a difference Savage (Eastern Division) led, and it • Arguments to anyone not running was “Let’s do one thing!” That one a Tennis Across America program thing was a ­Tennis Across America • Guide to creating your lesson plan clinic, and it was unanimously an• Sample press release nounced that every Executive Com• Sample calendar listing mittee member would run at least one clinic in his or her club or community.

• Sample PSAs We did have an increase in Tennis • One-pager outlining our key Across America clinics in 2010, but national partnerships with steps/ now the calling for us to step up is guidelines on how to build local much greater. You’ve seen me write partnerships about it before: Our country (and Jack Groppel, Ph.D. • A video that details all the science the world for that matter) is in a crisis supporting Tennis – for the health of it!, and why of inactivity, obesity and diabetes. Because activity all these alliances have been created. is the No. 1 way to stop the epidemic and begin changing all the trends, USPTA has been engaged as The TAA/Tennis – for the health of it! tool kit will be a strategic partner with numerous national govern- available online Feb. 1. ing bodies and initiatives. For example, USPTA is aligned with Exercise is Medicine, the global initiative As you can see, your national staff has answered of the American College of Sports Medicine; with the call to help you, in every way possible, to be IHRSA and its Campaign for a Healthier America; successful in running your Tennis Across America with Live Your Life Well, the national initiative of campaign. This is a time when we, as USPTA Mental Health America; with the Healthy Weight professionals, can step up and make a monstrous Commitment Foundation, a CEO-led organization difference in the war on inactivity and obesity. committed to stopping the obesity crisis; and with At the end of the day, it’s up to us! My question to you is this: Will you answer the call? There is no the National Physical Activity Plan.

USPTA is being looked to as a leader! That being doubt that your community needs help in fighting said, you are being looked to as a leader in your com- this campaign. There is no doubt that your nation munity! In his editorial last month, USPTA CEO needs you, in your community, to help fight the good Tim Heckler addressed the one-clinic challenge for fight. For me, there is little argument that can be 2011. I want to echo his words, and challenge all made to not run a Tennis Across America program. of us to simply conduct one clinic in the name of I hope you will make use of the tools; I hope you will get started in planning your event; and I hope you Tennis Across America.

At last year’s World Conference, a meeting will get your event registered as soon as possible. Let’s was held in which every USPTA division was do this together, to support our current membership represented, and a commitment was made to get and build our businesses, to let our management out and make a difference in 2011. The divisional know that we want to, and can, make a difference in leaders asked for a tool kit to help in the develop- this significant cause. I wish you well on this journey. ment, promotion, and conduct of a Tennis Across USPTA is taking Tennis Across America to the fight America program. Therefore, we have organized against inactivity and obesity.  www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President First Vice President

Tom Daglis Randy Mattingley

Vice Presidents

Bunny Bruning Mark Fairchilds Chuck Gill Jack Groppel Jim Loehr

Past President

Harry Gilbert

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

Tim Heckler

Director of Operations

Rich Fanning

Administrative Director

Marty Bostrom

Director of Communications

Shawna Riley

Creative Services Director

Julie Myers

Publications Manager/ Managing Editor

Kim Forrester

Director of Public Relations

Poornima Rimm

Communications

Jill Phipps

Director of Marketing

John Dettor

Sports Marketing Coordinator

Rick Bostrom

Digital Asset Director

Timothy Heckler

Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management Video Production Director

Joe Birkmire

Video Editor

Nick Warwick

Video Editor/ Flash Designer

Aisha Nelson

Video Editor/Videographer Chris Maale Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator Receptionist

Erin Ortbal

Director of Information Technology

Dan Wilson

Information Technology/ Multimedia

Scott Bucic

Divisional Executive Administrator

Kalin Cogar

Director of Computer Service

Kathy Buchanan

Director of Membership and Certification

Vicky Tristan

Membership/ Certification Coordinator

Sylvia Ortiz

Membership/ Melony DeLoach Insurance Coordinator Director of Finance Payroll/Benefits Controller Merchandise/ Accounting Assistant

Kathy Ladner Renée Heckler Ellen Weatherford Shelina Harris

Legal Counsel Attorney-at-law

Paul Waldman

For information, write the USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone 713-97-USPTA 800-USPTA-4U Fax 713-978-7780 uspta@uspta.org www.uspta.com Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

ADDvantage/February 2011

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Tips from the pros

Cardio Tennis: Addressing questions and concerns from consumers

by Michele Krause, USPTA, national Cardio Tennis manager and speakers team director

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ne of the keys for success with Cardio Tennis is to educate the ­consumer. This should be an ongoing process as CT is a great way to attract frequent players, new players and former players.

It is up to the tennis professional to educate the consumer on the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, as well as using the heart rate monitor. In regards to format, the consumer needs to know there is a warm-up process that includes dynamic movement, tossing and catching skills, as well as light hitting. They need to know the cardio portion includes a lot of games and there will be a cool-down as this format provides a safe and healthy workout.

your target heart rate zone, train for tennis, and burn calories.

You should let them know that it involves a lot more than just fun and movement. The purposes of Cardio Tennis are to exercise in

• Cardio Tennis provides an interval training scenario, which is an effective way to achieve heart health and fitness.

That means there are many benefits to explain to consumers: • Participants are able to achieve their ­effective heart rate zones with ease because of the fun factor.

• You can burn more calories than with singles or doubles and many other fitness ­options.

It is up to the tennis professional to educate the consumer on the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, as well as using the heart rate monitor. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

• It is a fun group activity where players of all ability levels enjoy tennis together.

• While you are “playing” tennis the primary focus is on getting a great workout.

• It fights the obesity crisis and offers a better fitness option for those not motivated to go to a workout gym.

If they are educated on the format, purpose and benefits, many of their concerns will be alleviated. However, here are some of the most common concerns and how to address them.

Consumers hear the words Cardio Tennis and think “cardiac attack,” especially the senior population. Reiterate that this is a safe and healthy workout tailored to the ability and fitness level of the player. Those classes made up of low-fitness/low-ability players will be much slower than a class with high-fitness/ high-ability participants. Does that mean that the lower-level class is getting any less of a workout? Absolutely not, and the proof is in the heart rate monitor. The use of the heart rate monitor also ensures the pro can provide the safest and most effective workout for the individual. Seniors need this class more than anyone as this is the group that needs the most help with movement.

How can I improve if there is no formal ­instruction? Remind them this is an incredible way to train for tennis. In Cardio Tennis players are constantly challenged, having to respond quickly, and get tons of repetition, which all make for a better tennis player. The feedback heard most often continued next page 5

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from previous page from a Cardio Tennis consumer is, “When I play singles and doubles I now get to balls I never got to before.”

It will be too much work and maybe even ­painful. The greatest benefit of CT is people get into their target heart rate zone with ease because of the fun factor. Cardio Tennis fully engages both the mind and the body for the ultimate workout. The intensity level of the class forces a person to stay focused and not let the mind wander.

The best sign an activity is enjoyable is when someone loses track of time or they leave wanting more; most CT participants are surprised when the 60 minutes is up.

A CT session should never be painful during the class or the next day. The use of heart rate monitors will help to avoid this and, of course, stay away from doing fitness-specific activities like push-ups or lunges unless it is advanced or boot camp CT sessions.

I am a beginner; is Cardio Tennis for me? If a person has some hand/eye coordination

they can do Cardio Tennis. CT is the best entry point for a starter player as the focus is not about where or how you hit the ball. However, if a player needs a technical correction, please address it as we do not want a player to get hurt. This can be done

as serving tends to immediately slow down the pace of the class. Serving works well in the cool-down period or if you are working with higher skilled players with games. Once consumers hear they don’t have to serve they are then more amenable to trying the class.

If you are diligent in educating consumers about the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, you will find your sessions filling up and may even need to add more. quickly on a water break or ball pick-up.

Also, be careful and screen your classes so you do not end up with one complete beginner in a group of regular players, as this will be a tough session for both you and the other participants. If you do not have segmented beginner CT classes you can also suggest the true beginner take a 30-minute private before trying CT.

I am an advanced player; why should I do it?

• It is an ideal way to train for tennis.

I don’t like to or can’t serve; is Cardio Tennis for me? I love telling these people they are in luck because you don’t have to serve in CT. There is not much serving in a CT session

If you are diligent in educating consumers about the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, you will find your sessions filling up and may even need to add more. 

• It will give players an opportunity to work on lots of different shots.

• It is more fun than running five miles (a two-out-of-three-set match does not involve running a straight line).

• Many professional players train this way.

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USPTA Mailbox CEO’s message applauded Dear Shawna Riley, Great column by Tim ­Heckler in the November 2010 ADDvantage magazine. Actually, it is one of the best columns that I have read in a tennis publication in a long time. On TV they frequently mention “in the Open Era,” then they do not tell people what the Open Era was or when. I try to teach our high school and younger girls about Billie Jean King’s work not just for tennis but for all sports for women through Title IX. A lot of families have not had to pay for college thanks to Billie Jean, Rosie Casals, etc. I’ve always felt we are doing a disservice to our students if we don’t spend a few minutes a year talking about Borg and Wimbledon, or Ashe and Althea Gibson being developed by Dr. Robert Johnson, or Don Budge beating Gottfried von Cramm during the era that Joe Louis beat Max Schmeling. If we think we are going to promote or sell tennis with the feed-a-few -drills-and-“pay-your-bill-onthe-way-out” approach, we are really missing the service box.

If a parent is watching the U.S. Open on TV and their kid knows something about the sport that they don’t, it reinforces their investment in the kid’s game. This is particularly true since a lot of our kids today are not from tennis families, but from families that are providing a barrage of activities from which the kid can choose – things we did not compete with years ago, as Tim points out. It is what I call “the over-deprived child.” They are in so many activities that frequently they don’t do anything very well.

It goes further than that.

While McEnroe is an excellent

commentator, most of these people over the years since Bud Collins have been frankly, just awful. I would like to see someone, maybe Tim, on a national broadcast to give a teacher’s perspective on some of the things the players do. How can we expect to promote tennis when the commentators assume the viewers know something about tennis – especially since the boom died and then every decade or so we panic at the lack of great American players?

Sandy Mayer wrote on a blog a few years ago “never has there been such a gap between what the players are doing on the tour and what the recreational players can do.” (I’m a little prejudiced because Sandy and Gene’s father taught me to teach. I cherish the days of the tour). A good teacher does not just hand a kid “The Great Gatsby,” “The Sun Also Rises,” or “You Can’t Go Home Again,” without teaching about Max Perkins, the editor for Scott, Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe.

Why should we be any different if we are to be taken seriously as teachers? Sampras had so much respect for those before – perhaps it was part of his motivation.

A lot of young football players don’t know about Jerry Rice, Jim Brown or Vince Lombardi.

Most of our kids don’t know squat and it is our fault.

Sincerely, John Matheny, USPTA Englewood, Fla. Tim, Just a note to say well done on the coaching article, very well written.

Darren Potkey Junior competition, Southern California Tennis Association Hi Tim,

Terrific article in this month’s (November 2010) ADDvantage magazine!

Thank you for all you do for the members.

Kindest regards, Mark Dickson, USPTA President/director Mark Dickson Tennis Academy Sarasota, Fla. Tim, Just wanted to extend kudos to your editorial in the current issue of ADDvantage magazine!

I agreed with all your major points, learned some new things from it, and it was obviously well researched. I feel that many people don’t see that American pros have put in many hours in development of emerging foreign pros, as you have pointed out. Being a British native, I recently was certified in the British Tennis Coaches Association.

This has given me a very good insight into what other countries are doing as far as teaching pros.

What has been a surprise to me is that there are several individual companies across the pond that do coaching education for their pros (as opposed to a trade association), and some of them are doing upcoming programs in the United States, including Dallas.

Again, nice work on your editorial. I always look forward to them, and all of ADDvantage magazine, each month!

All the best.

Jerry Winder, USPTA Tucson, Ariz.

Dear USPTA, This is the best story on American tennis. He is right on.

One more thing: Since Americans play sports involving throwing – baseball and football – we

have always dominated with our serves, which gave us the edge in serve/volley and also gave us the edge on fast hard courts and fast grass courts. American’s also love fast-paced games with lots of scoring – football, basketball – as opposed to slowdeveloping games like soccer.

Seventy-five ball points may be heaven to players in soccerplaying countries, but is it so in our country? The USA gave away our dominance when we made the courts slower, made the balls heavier, and replaced quick-strike American tennis with grind-itout tennis played by the rest of the world. How long will it take to replace even one third of the courts in America with clay? The European/South American players are still laughing at how their strategy of “if we can’t beat them at their game we will get them to play our game” has changed the face of the game. Want to start winning our own Grand Slam?

Make the courts fast and low bouncing and watch Americans at least dominate at home.

A.G. Longoria, USPTA Newport Beach, Calif.

2010 World Conference worthwhile Dear Tim (Heckler), In September I attended the 2010 USPTA World Conference at La Quinta. The conference was well-organized, the speaker lineup was world-class and La Quinta Resort and Spa is truly a legendary destination.

What a treat to rub shoulders with hundreds of the finest teaching professionals in the world!

The best decision I ever made – in my 27-year tennis career – was to join the USPTA. Being a USPTA member has

continued next page www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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USPTA Mailbox truly enriched my life and my tennis career.

Congratulations to you, Tim – and your excellent staff – on a job well done!

Warm regards, Bill Rapp, USPTA Tournament Director, SAP Open San Jose, Calif.

Some players need to lower their sights on the serve Dear USPTA Pros, If there is a common malaise in women’s tennis today, it is the serve. How many times in recent tournaments have you seen even the great ones have a service meltdown that costs them the match?

In theory, if the serve is not strong enough today’s ball bashers will unleash some kind of winning offensive return. To avoid that possibility the server often tries for more than is necessary. A ball in play gives you a chance, a double fault may give you nothing.

As an 86-year-old teaching professional, I still go back to the “good old days” when serving was not the dominant stroke. In those bygone amateurs days you played for prestige and trophies; today’s huge paydays were nonexistent. I’m certain many of the WTA circuit players would not be familiar with the name Alice Marble. Marble was Wimbledon champion in 1939 and the best female player in the world at that time.

In an effort to take advantage of his or her Wimbledon win, a champion would often sign with one of the major sporting goods companies to promote their product and give clinics and exhibitions around the country.

Marble was nice enough to come to a club in San Diego when I was head professional for one of her clinics. The turnout was huge and the audience was not disappointed. We just played a

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set before she began the clinic.

After demonstrating her forehand, backhand and volley (which she actually did when she played), she got to the serve.

Before she served she blindfolded herself and proceeded to hit eight consecutive balls in the proper court, no misses! Can you imagine Maria Sharapova, for example, with her high toss, trying to hit a serve in the court blindfolded? The chance of success is slim to none.

Granted, the so-called “modern game” requires some kind of offensive serve to stay competitive, but giving points away with some regularity doesn’t help the problem. I had the good fortune to grow up with the great Maureen Connolly (Brinker). We lived across the street from each other and less than 100 yards from three playground tennis courts.

Her progress was phenomenal as she developed into a great player in record time. You may recall that Maureen “Little Mo” was the first woman to win a Grand Slam – Australia, the French, Wimbledon and the U.S. Championship – in the same calendar year. The point of mentioning this is that her serve was her weakest commodity, but a double fault was a very rare happening.

I still feel there is some merit in advice from the game’s “dinosaurs.” Lower some of your high-altitude tosses and sacrifice a few miles of power for consistency. Winning is still more fun than losing.

Ben Press, USPTA Master Professional Coronado, Calif.

Send your letters to the editor, along with a ­daytime phone number or ­­­e-mail address, to ­ADDvantage, ­USPTA, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, ­Houston, TX 77042; fax to 713-3587794; or via e-mail to kim.­f orrester@uspta. org. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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TENNIS PRODUCTS

VACATION OPPORTUNITIES Five-Star Caribbean Resorts are Waiting for You! Working ­vacations available for certified tennis professionals. Family and couple resorts available. ­Contact: www.fitbodiesinc.com or call ­Denise Cox, 678-778-4673.

Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to 713978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone.

No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. The USPTA is committed to the policy that all people have equal access to its programs, facilities, employment and membership without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status. USPTA is an equal opportunity employer. USPTA reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion, or to edit the advertisement to be certain that any employment requirements set forth in it conform with the law.

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Maria Sharapova combines style with performance as new HEAD player

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EAD has announced that Maria Sharapova, the 23-year-old Russian with three Grand Slam titles, will bring her unique style to the winning team of HEAD “racquet rebels.”

HEAD’s player portfolio already includes Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Robin Soderling – the world’s No. 3, 4 and 5 ranked players on the ATP World Tour.

“We are proud to have Maria on board with so many other great tennis athletes like Novak, Andy and Robin,” says Johan Eliasch, CEO of HEAD N.V. “She definitely helps us build a much stronger women’s team together with Victoria Azarenka and Svetlana Kuznetsova.”

Sharapova and HEAD are now developing a new racquet to support her powerful game and her efforts to return to the top of the WTA rankings. In addition to a highperformance tour racquet line, planned products include junior and kids’ racquets, accessories, and tennis bags. New products are scheduled to hit the retail market this fall.

“I am excited to be on the HEAD Team and am looking forward to this partnership,” Sharapova says. “With my new HEAD weapon

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I am confident to regain a spot among the top 10 again soon.”

On four separate occasions the WTA ranked her world No. 1 in singles before serious shoulder problems forced her out of the game in October 2008. When she came back in May 2009 she was ranked No. 126 due to her extensive layoff. But she has since won three more titles, bringing her to a career total of 22, and has worked her way up to world No.18.

In 2004, at the age of 17, Sharapova won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, beating top seed Serena Williams in the final. She claimed two more Grand Slam titles at the US Open 2006 and the Australian Open 2008.

Sharapova also rates high with the public. In 2010, she was elected Favorite WTA Singles Player, as well as Most Fashionable On Court and Most Fashionable Off Court Player in the WTA Fan Favourite Voting Awards. She also has appeared as a model in the famous Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and she has been featured as “the face” of many fashion houses. But tennis, of course, remains her top priority. 

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Pro to pro – tips and techniques from USPTA members

The winning “egg-vantage”

by Robert Heller, USPTA

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e frequently tell students to “relax,” often in the context of relaxing their dominant hand. When players grip the racquet too tightly, the resulting tension in the muscles fatigues them and interferes with a smooth stroke and racquet acceleration.

In my clinics on mental skills training, very light tension. I suggest that, generally, I have recently introduced a raw egg as a the “cradling” of the egg is about the right “prop” to help participants get the “feel” of amount of tension they want to have when holding a racquet in a relaxed way. holding a racquet, even during the swing, on most strokes.

After a brief explanation of the common causes of excess tension and why it I then pass the egg around and ask is undesirable, I take out a raw egg and each person to lightly hold it for 10 to 20 gently place it in the palm of my hand. seconds and internalize the feeling of lightI ask them to imagine what would likely ness in the hand associated with holding happen if I started squeezing my hand the egg. with any amount of force stronger than The great tennis legend Martina

­ avratilova once said, “the softer the hands N the better the player.”

By practicing this exercise for a few minutes each day, you will develop better hand control and greater relaxation which will give you an “egg up” on your opponents.  Dr. Robert Heller is a counseling and sports psychology consultant based in Boca Raton, Fla. He is the author of the mental conditioning program, “TennisMind,” a frequent contributor to tennis magazines, and often presents at state and national conferences.

Ball Pick-up

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HEAD launches new YouTek™ Speed Series racquets

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EAD has introduced the second generation of YouTek Speed racquets, developed for world No. 3 player Novak Djokovic. The HEAD racquet rebel recently played the Australian Open with his YouTek IG Speed MP 18/20.

“The name is Speed, and the racquet gives me a lot of speed in this aggressive game,” Djokovic said. “We have been working hard on the racquet in order to improve it as much as possible.”

The YouTek IG Speed line features five new racquets with HEAD’s new Innegra fiber technology. Extremely strong and light, Innegra has the lowest density of any existing fiber and, combined with carbon fiber, forms an ultra-tough hybrid-composite structure. As a result, it improves stability and shock absorption and provides consistent performance over the entire life of the frame.

Three of the YouTek IG Speed models (YouTek IG Speed MP 16/19, YouTek IG Speed MP 18/20 and YouTek IG Speed Lite) hit stores in January. The other two models (YouTek IG Speed 300 and YouTek IG Speed Elite) will be available in early March.

For more information, visit head.com.

Also, find HEAD’s newest Facebook application, “What’s Your Game?” at facebook.com/headtennis. Videos of Novak Djokovic and the new YouTek IG Speed racquet line can be found at this link: http://www.youtube.com/headtennis#p/u/9/ kbvXURa_M1w.

Here are more details on the different ­versions of the new YouTek™ Speed IG series:

YouTek IG Speed MP: The Speed MP is the perfect combination of power and control for heavy hitters with a long, fast swing style. It is available in three models, accommodating a wide range of players. You’ll never want to put this racquet down! l

YouTek IG Speed MP 18/20: The MP 18/20 is Novak Djokovic’s Weapon of Choice.

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YouTek IG Speed MP 16/19: The MP 16/19 has a more open string pattern and a slightly longer length for added reach.

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YouTek IG Speed 300: The MP 300 is a slightly more powerful version with added maneuverability.

Also available:

World No. 3 player Novak Djokovic sports a new HEAD YouTek Speed racquet. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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YouTek IG Speed Elite: A Tour Light version providing complete tour performance with greater maneuverability. The slightly wider beam gives it even more power.

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YouTek IG Speed Lite: This is the lightest racquet in the Speed series. A great tweener providing the perfect combination of power, maneuverability, control and feel. It’s the excellent tour racquet for players with a moderate swing style.  ADDvantage/February 2011

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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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USPTA Professionals raise more than $5 million for charity

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nited States Professional Tennis Association members raised more than $5 million for charity in 2010 through the association’s Lessons for Life™ program.

“Our members continue to stay committed to raising money for important charitable causes, while at the same time bringing their communities together through these efforts with tennis,” said Diane Selke, Lessons for Life chair, USPTA Master Professional and head tennis professional at Valley Country Club in Aurora, Colo.

A variety of charities benefit each year from the USPTA’s Lessons for Life program, including the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Scripps Stevens Cancer Center, and many other national and local charities.

Lessons for Life became USPTA’s national charitable program in 1999. The USPTA and its members have raised more than $45 million since the program’s inception. Through this program, the USPTA encourages its members to use tennis as a vehicle to

help others through fundraisers and other activities in their communities. Many of the fundraisers take place at country clubs and commercial clubs, where the majority of USPTA Professionals direct tennis operations and programming.

Fundraisers take the form of tournaments, pro-ams, auctions, black-tie dinners and clinics.

In 2009 USPTA and Rally for the Cure joined forces to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer through tennis and Lessons for Life under the broader Tennis – for the health of it! initiative. Rally for the Cure has the tools and materials for USPTA tennis-teaching professionals interested in running a Lessons for Life charity tennis event in support of Rally for the Cure. This is just one more way USPTA teaching professionals can give to important causes through tennis and Lessons for Life.

Lessons for Life is officially celebrated in October, but events may be hosted any time during the year. People who are interested in participating in a Lessons for Life event should contact a USPTA Professional in their area. USPTA’s Find-A-Pro service is available at www.usptafindapro.com or by calling 800-USPTA-4U for help locating a USPTA Professional. 

USPTA provides grant to QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia in 2010

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he United States Professional Tennis Association presented a grant to QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia for its Jump Start QuickStart Tennis initiative. The grant makes it possible for QCV to provide QuickStart Tennis equipment to P.E. classes for several local elementary schools benefiting more than 3,000 children.

“The USPTA really stepped up to help us get QuickStart going in some additional counties in central Virginia,” said Lynda Harrill, QCV QuickStart Tennis coordinator.

QuickStart Tennis is now in 82 schools with more than 39,000 students in central Virginia. Training P.E. teachers is the cornerstone of QCV’s strategy to grow tennis in central Virginia from the ground up and accelerate the introduction of QuickStart through

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its Jump Start QuickStart Tennis initiative. Through this initiative, QCV trains, equips and supports schools, parks and recreation departments and other community organizations that are committed to teaching and running self-sustaining QuickStart Tennis programs.

The USPTA Foundation provides grants and donations to programs and organizations that strive to help economically disadvantaged people learn tennis. All proceeds from the annual USPTA silent auction held at the World Conference on Tennis go to the foundation.

For more information on this and other USPTA programs, please visit www.uspta.com. 

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

2011 USPTA Cardio Tennis Feeding Shootout

Target set-up instructions and rules You will need the following items for proper set-up of the shootout competition.

• A full cart of balls on wheels (The balls do not need to be new.)

• The official Cardio Tennis banner (Please try to secure a CT banner locally. All official CT sites have one, but if you cannot secure one locally we will ship one or the CT speaker will bring one.)

• Stopwatch If a national Cardio Tennis speaker will be present to run the shootout, that person will have these items with the exception of the balls. If there is not a speakers team member, the division will be responsible for the proper equipment.

To be eligible to compete and win prizes you must be a current member of the USPTA and officially registered for your division convention. If you are not a current USPTA member or not registered, you can compete but you will not be eligible for any prizes.

Rules: 1) You need six helpers to effectively run a shootout, plus two to three people to help pick up balls.

2) These helpers are as follows: - Three counters, one for each of the three areas (left, center, right) and they only count the balls in their target area. The scorekeepers add all three scores together to get the final total score and give their total to the judge.

6) Feeders may not have any balls in their hands when the clock starts.

- Feeder position is anywhere behind the service line within the singles court. The feeder’s feet cannot be on or go over the service line. The basket can be over the line.

7) The winner will be the professional who records the highest number of feeds in the competition.

8) If there is a tie, there will be a playoff with the same rules.

9) First-place prize is $100, courtesy of the TIA. The division is welcome to add to the prize pot in the form of money, product, etc. The division can also offer second- and third-place prizes if they so choose. The first-place winner earns a spot in the final competition at the World Conference for a grand prize of $300, and second-place $100. If the first-place winner does not attend the World Conference the spot will then be offered to the second-place finisher, then third-place finisher. If none of those competitors can make it, then any division member who attends the World Conference and had not competed in the division shootout can participate in the qualifying event. 

- One timekeeper who has a stopwatch. The timekeeper should shout out, “on your mark, get set, go” and then note the 45-second mark, 30-second mark, 15-second mark and count down from 10 for the last 10 seconds.

- An emcee/judge who makes sure everything is moving along, lets competitors know who is on deck, and announces the final score. This person is typically a member of the National Cardio Tennis Speakers Team and is also very familiar with the rules.

- The sixth helper is the designated ball collector, who makes sure the basket is topped off for each competitor.

- The judge and the timekeeper will keep an eye out for foot faults. The shooter’s foot cannot cross the line during the competition.

3) Feeders get six practice feeds before they start. Feeders must go in sequence from left to right (left target, center target, right target). If they miss they should move on to the next target area; they do not keep feeding to a target area until they hit it.

4) The feeder shoots for one minute and tries to get as many feeds into the target areas as possible.

5) If a ball hits any line marking the target area, it still counts. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/February 2011

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Career Development conventions

(division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference, 8 credits)

Feb. 3-5

Midwest Division Indianapolis

Feb. 4-5

Middle States Division Landisville, Pa.

Feb. 10-13

Texas Division Grapevine, Texas

Feb. 11-13

Northern California Division Stanford, Calif.

Feb. 12-13

Intermountain Division Las Vegas

Feb. 18-20

Missouri Valley Division Prairie Village, Kan.

March 4-6

Mid-Atlantic Division Charlottesville, Va.

May 12-14

Southern Division Baton Rouge, La.

May 15-16

Eastern Division Mount Kisco, N.Y.

May 20-22

New England Division Newport, R.I.

May 31- June 5

Florida Division Port St. Lucie, Fla.

June 2-5

Pacific Northwest Division Portland, Ore.

specialist degrees

Little Tennis®  Facility Management

exams, upgrades & certification review courses (4 credits for PTCA I segment) Feb. 4-5 Feb. 6-7 Feb. 10-11 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 13-14 Feb. 14 Feb. 14 Feb. 19 Feb. 19 Feb. 19-20 Feb. 19-20 Feb. 20 Feb. 21 Feb. 21-22 March 4 March 6 March 6 March 11

Indianapolis Los Angeles Port Washington, N.Y. Atlanta Seattle Dallas Palo Alto, Calif.

Williamsburg, Va. Memphis, Tenn.

Gastonia, N.C. Rockville, Md. Prairie Village, Kan. Clearwater, Fla. San Diego Houston* Charlottesville, Va. Hilton Head Island, S.C. Bonita Springs, Fla. Rochester, N.Y.

March 13 Jackson, Miss.

March 18 Oklahoma City, Okla.

March 19-20 Boca Raton, Fla. March 20 Columbus, Ohio March 20 Birmingham, Ala. March 21 Valencia, Calif.

March 21-22 Houston* March 27 Rome, Ga. April 5-6 San Francisco April 9-10 Atlanta April 10-11 Los Angeles April 11 Richmond, Va. April 14-15 Port Washington, N.Y. April 16-17 Aurora, Ill. April 16-17 Rockville, Md. April 17 New Orleans April 18 Indian Wells, Calif.

April 20-21 Tyler, Texas

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.

specialty courses Junior development, Feb. 3, Indianapolis, C. Jones Coaching doubles, Feb. 12, Stanford, Calif., F. Hassan Developing a game-ready player, Feb. 13, Stanford, Calif., B. Hobden



Computer Technology  Sport Science 

Junior development, Feb. 13, San Diego, E. Collins Coaching doubles, Feb. 20, Prairie Village, Kan., F. Hassan

Competitive Player Development Pro Shop Operations

 



Wheelchair Tennis

CPD (Competitive Player Development) – Gained through the USA ­Tennis High Performance Coaching Program a ­ dministered by the USA Tennis Coaching E ­ ducation Department.

For more information about USPTA’s specialist degrees, including applications, please visit our Web site at www.uspta.com or contact the USPTA Education Department at 800-USPTA-4U or education@uspta.org.

cardio tennis Feb. 27 April 16

Memphis, Tenn.

Houston

(Seminar DVDs, ½ credit/specialty course DVDs, 2 credits)

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event. Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. Schedule is subject to change.

Call the USPTA Education Department for more information or e-mail education@uspta.org.

Earn education credits from World Conference DVDs Receive your education credit report card via e-mail by visiting the members-only section of uspta.com.

Please visit www.growingtennis.com (workshops) to register online.

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www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

LITTL E TEN NIS A. USPTA Little Tennis T-shirt – white. 100% preshrunk cotton. XS, S, M, L, XL. $6 B. Little Tennis banner. $40 C. HEAD Drill Cones – 9-inch cones ideal as targets or markers for

any drill, exercise or game. A set includes four numbered cones.

Sold in packs of eight (two sets). $26.95

D. USPTA Little Tennis wristband. Great to use as prizes. Sold individually. $2 Little Tennis items not pictured:

A

• USPTA Complete Guide to Little Tennis – The most comprehensive manual for teaching 3- to 10-year-old tennis players.

USPTA member price – $29.95 Nonmember price – $44.95 • USPTA Little Tennis lapel pin – $1.25 • Little Tennis specialty course DVD. $44.95 • Little Tennis poster. 25¢

B D

C re about Learn mo nis Little Ten rills and get d s@ and game tennis.com e l t t i .l w w w

Industry action Member product showcase – Arseya Publishing has released the new book, “Beyond Winning - A Guide to Happiness and Fulfillment in Tennis and Our Competitive World.” Authored by USPTA Professional Larry Katz, “Beyond Winning” combines his experiences of a lifetime in tennis and 30-year background in yoga. The inspirational book is designed to help players at all levels enjoy the experience of competition while growing as individuals through that process.

The message of relaxed participation is intended to help players perform at their highest level by developing an ability to increase internal

awareness while maintaining focus on the goal. The book is available for purchase on amazon.com or arseya.com.

Associations – The Club Managers Association of America has developed a Risk Management Department to help mitigate risk in their operations. Jeff Magoon will head the department as a riskmanagement consultant and CMAA member advocate, helping the membership reach its risk-management goals. The department will primarily work with the insurance industry to create customized products for CMAA-

The internationally acclaimed Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy and Spain’s Registry of Professional Coaches presented a USPTA Player Development Conference in Naples, Fla., focusing on the Spanish method of developing players, Dec. 11-13, 2010. Featured speakers were USPTA member Emilio Sanchez Vicario, founder of the Sanchez-Casal Academy, former No. 7 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, and 2008 Davis Cup captain for Spain; and, USPTA Master Pro Luis Mediero, president of Registro Profesional de Tenis and president of the International Coaches Institute in Madrid, Spain. member-managed clubs.

It will also help clubs get the best value for their dollar and improve coverage in areas such as employee benefits, workers compensation and loss control. For more information, visit cmaa.org and click on Member Benefits, then Risk Management.

Information also will be available at the CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 24-28.

Miscellany

U.S. Marines recently picked up more than 2,000 toys that were collected in the Toys for Tots drive at Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. The drive has become a communitywide effort and includes a tennis event.

Donation boxes are located throughout the club with the assistance of the Ibis Public Safety Department. In the Photo: Steve Logiudice, general manager, Ibis, Chuck Gill, USPTA Professional and national board member, the two Marines, Ibis Public Safety officers Grilliot and West, and Howard Golan of the Ibis Property Owners Association.

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Peter Burwash International has appointed Chris Myrold, USPTA, as tennis director for the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, in Nevis, West Indies. After a two-year closure due to hurricane damage, the awardwinning Caribbean resort reopened in December.

Originally from

Minnesota, Myrold has filled PBI assignments at La Ventanas al Paraiso in Mexico and, most recently, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai’i at Manele Bay in Hawaii. Myrold will now coordinate all tennis programs on the four redclay and six hard courts at Four Seasons, a AAA five-diamond property.

For more information about the PBI tennis management firm, visit www.pbitennis.com.

The special anniversary issue of Black Tennis Magazine can be ordered online. This latest Issue is a must-read for tennis

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Industry action buffs. In celebration of 34 years, BT magazine presents 100 pages of historical data and photographs of players from “then and now.” To order your special copy, send your request to marcus.freeman.tennis@ airmail.net or visit BTMag.com.

Tail Activewear has introduced a new line of tennis apparel featuring Advansa Thermo°Cool™. The Advansa Thermo°Cool™ line complements Tail’s other performance lines that offer benefits such as moisture management, wind and rain resistance, and antimicrobial protection. The new Advansa Thermo°Cool™ line will be carried exclusively at pro shops, clubs, and specialty retailers and online at www.TailActivewear.com.

Andre Agassi will receive the highest honor available in the sport

of tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The announcement of Agassi’s induction was made at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, the public charter school that Agassi founded in 2001 in Las Vegas’ most atrisk community. The students at Agassi Prep, who range from kindergarten through Grade 12, joined Agassi in a pep-rally-style event to celebrate his induction. Agassi is the sole 2011 inductee in the Recent Player category. Additional 2011 inductees in other categories will be announced at a later date. Agassi’s induction ceremony will be held on July 9, 2011 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum in Newport, R.I. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame

The Town of Windermere (Fla.) Parks and Recreation held its Tennis Block Party on May 21, 2010, with 31 families in attendance. “Participants were introduced to QuickStart Tennis and did not want to leave when it was over.

Parents signed kids up for the summer program, which will begin in June, and adults also registered for USTA League play,” says USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator Shelly Licorice. The event was organized by USPTA Professional Marcelo Gouts. Photo by Pete Rems.

Tennis Championships, an ATP World Tour event. Tickets for the induction ceremony are limited. Box seats, custom sponsorship and hospitality packages are available. In addition, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is developing

other events and programs to complement the induction ceremony and allow as many fans as possible to be part of the celebration. For more information call 866-914-FAME (3263) or visit www.tennisfame. com.

A Radnor, Pa.-based company has produced Practice FunForms, a line of sports instructional aids that can be used as tennis court targets. These inflatable animal figures offer a creative way to teach QuickStart Tennis to children 10 and under. The set, which includes five safari-themed animals, a pump, and a stories-based instruction booklet, creates a fun learning environment so children want to practice. FunForms are made from superior PVC, double- stitched on the seams, with a pocket on the bottom of each animal that you fill with clay, sand or water. Victoria Azarenka, No. 10 on the WTA tour, practiced with the FunForms and said, “I had so much fun playing with the FunForms and hope it will help kids improve faster.” For more information, visit www.PracticeFunForms.com. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/February 2011

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