52 Beyond the Court:
USPTA Pros help teenager fund cancer research through Tennis Relay
by Christiana Johns, USPTA staff writer
Inside Coaching: Understand your role by Todd Upchurch, USPTA Southern Division president Page 51 Departments 47 President’s Message 49 CEO’s Message 51 Inside Coaching 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 email – magazine@uspta.org
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52 Beyond the Court 57 Career Development 59 Industry Action Managing editor Circulation
Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
54 Keeping your players healthy on court by Dr. Stephan Esser, USPTA
Online:
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com Are you ready to run a tournament? by David Minihan, USPTA Master Professional Gain perspective by starting at square one by Ryan Thompson, USPTA Understanding the singles game by Chris Roman, USPTA
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. 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.
January 2014
ADDvantage 45
President’s Message
Committed to the course:
Outlining USPTA’s goals for 2014
by Tom McGraw
I
t’s been an incredible and fastpaced three months since I began my role as the USPTA President. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your President, and I’m excited to continue along the path to implement our strategic plan. I’m committed to stay the course and grasp the opportunity for us to move forward and create a new USPTA culture to help us continue to be relevant in the industry. There has been a tremendous amount of progress that has taken place in the last several months. The following list represents the highlights of recent member benefit announcements: • The overhaul of the current membership structure. The new categories will include Master Professional, Elite Professional, Professional, Recreational Coach and Applicant. This structure will smooth out the testing procedure and ease the confusion related to our previous ratings. It will also make it easier to market the USPTA to consumers, facilities and our allied associations. • We have introduced precertification as well as post-certification education requirements. After all, our mission statement is to elevate the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches. • We have a new relationship with the National Family Tennis Championships. Members can host an event and create revenue opportunities for themselves and their facilities. • We also have a new partnership with TGA Premier Youth Tennis. Franchise opportunities are available to members for this proven school-based model.
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• ADDvantage has merged with Tennew tangible and quantifiable benefits. nis Industry magazine, which will This is the first step in tackling the chalreach a wider audience and provide lenges of the third pillar of our strategic plan, membership growth. We have a members with additional tennis goal of 5 percent growth in membership industry information. • The 2014 World Conference will be over the next three years. This will be a in New York as part of the Tennis focus as we move into 2014. Everyone Teachers Conference. Members that must take ownership of this project if we are to move the dial. All of the diviattend will get transportation and a ticket to the first day of the US Open. sion leaders, National Board and staff Save the dates: Aug. 22 – 25. will work together to address the issues • USPTA is now helping its certified and formulate a nationwide strategy members find health insurance that will be implemented. We ask that through Woodruff you become engaged Sawyer, a full serin this effort. Be a I’m committed to stay vice insurance bro- the course and grasp USPTA ambassador kerage firm. This the opportunity for us to and spread the word relationship will move forward and create about the positive provide members changes taking place. a new USPTA culture to with assistance in Contact the non-certihelp us continue to be navigating through relevant in the industry. fied pros in your area the maze of health and encourage them care information. to become members. • USPTA will launch a retirement pro- Another focus for 2014 is to congram in the new year. Certified protinue to become more diverse and fessionals who own or have financial inclusive. It is critical that we are more responsibilities for their shops will proactive in the future in our desire to have vendor-supported opportunibe inclusive. If we want to be more genties for their retirement. Members der, age, and racially diverse, then we can also contribute to their own plan have to reach out to these communities and will have a variety of retirement and make the connection to encourage options. membership to the USPTA. It will truly benefit all of us and the association to All of these member benefits will welcome individuals from all walks of have a positive impact on the associalife into the USPTA family. It’s an exciting time and as you can tion and the members. I commend see we have a full plate of projects. As John Embree and the staff, the Board, your President, I look forward to the and the Executive Committee for the remarkable work, but we are just in the upcoming challenges and the many beginning stages of where we are head- opportunities. I’m optimistic and confident about the future of the USPTA. ed in the future. There is definitely I wish you and your family a wonmore to come in January. We will continue to strive to offer derful and safe holiday season! h
January 2014
ADDvantage 47
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January 2014
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CEO’s Message
ADDvantage has changed... for the better!
by John Embree
T
here is an age-old business axiom that says: “If it is not a core competency, outsource it.” While ADDvantage magazine has served our association well for decades, the USPTA should not necessarily be in the magazine publishing business. Our singular and core focus ought to be on elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches through education and certification. While some might say that ADDvantage in its past format helps support this mission, we owed it to ourselves to question the current model to determine if there was an alternative to delivering educational information. As part of the evaluation process of our association that began early in 2013, we have examined every aspect of our business to see if there is a better way of doing things. Given the resources (both financial and administrative) that we were allocating to ADDvantage each year, I wondered if there was an opportunity to provide a better product for our membership while saving substantial money. After several conversations over the course of six to nine months with publishing expert and industry colleague Jeff Williams, it became clear that we could meet our objective. Not only is Jeff the group publisher for Tennis magazine and tennis.com, he is the owner of Racquet Sports Industry or RSI, a very creditable industry source for trade information. No one can question his tennis DNA or his expertise in the publishing arena. Thus, the premise was simple:
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merge ADDvantage into Racquet Sports product that will be produced. Industry magazine as a regular insert Thanks to printing efficiencies, lower postage rates, and overall cost and rebrand the magazine as Tennis reductions, the USPTA will save apIndustry. In doing so, ADDvantage would be seen in printed form 10 times proximately $45,000 over our acper year (instead of the current six), tual expenses to publish ADDvantage magazine in 2013. It would seem like a increase the readership that would see “no brainer” right? Well, it only makes our USPTA messaging (including owners and managers of the facilities where sense if the product that we distribute is better than what we have published we are employed) while providing at for years. I think it will. I hope you like the same time a much wider range of the direction that we are taking. content (news, industry trends, busi I want to extend my sincerest ness articles, etc.), all at a much lower thanks to Jeff Williams, David Bone, cost. If done right, it could be a “winJohn Hanna, Peter Francesconi and win” situation that one seeks whenever the rest of the RSI team for their coma new concept is hatched like this. Thus, I am delighted mitment to take Our singular and core to introduce the new on this project ADDvantage as part of focus ought to be on with vim and vigor. Tennis Industry maga- elevating the standards This is the kind of of tennis-teaching zine in this inaugural partnership that I professionals and coaches envisioned when issue. Upon a quick through education and creating Pillar No. 4 examination, you will of our Strategic Plan notice a revamped but certification. energetic ADDvantage (being more stronglogo, an updated template that gives ly aligned with our allied organizations the magazine a fresh new look and a in the industry). I know not everyone is going to more substantial publication that offers a variety of features that ADDvanembrace this new approach. Change tage could never have had previously. is hard and often uncomfortable for While we will be limited to 16 pages of some. But, the rationale for coming content per month (except for our con- together with RSI to create Tennis ference issue in August), we will be able Industry magazine, with ADDvantage to augment each printed version with a playing such an integral role, was digital edition of ADDvantage that will overwhelmingly positive and thereincorporate articles and educational fore made the decision easy. Why wouldn’t anyone want more content material online for anyone’s viewing more frequently at a lower cost? pleasure that we could not incorporate Welcome to the first issue of Tennis into our designated section. Plus, we Industry magazine with ADDvantage have the chance to expand our adverinside. Enjoy! h tising revenues owing to the improved
January 2014
ADDvantage 49
Inside coaching
Understand your role By Todd Upchurch, USPTA Southern Division president
I
n our chosen careers as tennis professionals, we are often asked to wear various hats. Besides an instructor of tennis, we are meteorologists, psychiatrists, fitness trainers, maintenance workers, bartenders, politicians, accountants, fashion consultants, physical therapists and much more. With all this in mind, our most important role is the one of motivator, encourager and role model. Understanding your complete responsibility as your facility’s and students’ tennis professional is something few fully grasp. But the ones that do are successful beyond measure. I’m not talking about monetary success, although that will surely come with a job well done. True success comes in the form of respect, admiration and loyalty from your students and their families. The impact on someone’s life, in which you have been cast as an authority figure, is enormous. Once you have built that bridge of trust, they respect your opinion and thoughts and seek your approval. Fill that student with your knowledge of the game you love, but also with positive thoughts and words about their unlimited potential. Tell them honestly that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to and work hard to help them achieve their goals and dreams. They are expecting your best and they deserve all you have to give. We, as tennis pros, have been thrust into a position of authority over so many lives. It is so important, especially with juniors, that they have your enthusiasm, encouragement and approval. You may not give much credence to this thought, that maybe your knowledge of the game and God-given skills will overcome negative words or actions on your part. There is one thing that is important to remember here, your students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. We all know fellow tennis professionals who like to tell us and their
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students how good they are or how great they used to be. Encourage them to stop telling their students about their own achievements or competence and start telling them how great their students can be. Your students’ future is bright and limitless and it might just start with you. You have no idea what your students are hearing at home or school and it might be that one word of encouragement that thrusts them to the next level. As an influential figure in your students’ lives, many items are under your control. With your positive encouragement, heartfelt concern and expert knowledge, you release good things into their lives. You release selfconfidence, success, sportsmanship, self-reliance, happiness, healthiness and much more. You are responsible for helping them become the best that they can be and shaping their future. If
you are unwilling or unable to perform this role, don’t be surprised if that position of authority is taken away from you. Students will not stick around for very long if your best quality as a professional is hitting a forehand better than them. Constantly look for ways to improve your teaching abilities and your encouraging qualities to make yourself an asset in their lives. Never take for granted the position you are in and the influence you have over their lives. Show them with your actions the proper behavior to handle themselves on and off the court. Tell them with your words that nothing can impede their path to success. Famous distance runner Steve Prefontaine said it correctly when he stated, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” Ensure that you and your students never waste the opportunity to be the very best that they can be. h The impact on someone’s life, in which you have been cast as an authority figure, is enormous.
January 2014
ADDvantage 51
Beyond the Court
USPTA Pros help teenager fund cancer research through Tennis Relay By Christina Johns, USPTA staff writer
W
hile most teenagers spend their time worrying about college or getting their driver’s license, Teah Flynn wants to fight cancer with tennis balls. Last year, the 16-year-old tennis player founded the Keep the Ball in Motion – Rally and Give Back Tennis Relay, an all-day event held to raise money for cancer research. Flynn said 100 percent of the proceeds go straight to the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis’ genomic cancer research fund. With the help of several USPTA Professionals hosting courts,
52 ADDvantage
January 2014
the relay held on Feb. 9, 2013 raised $3,825, but Flynn has a more ambitious number in mind for the Feb. 8, 2014 event. “If I can reach my goal, that would be 72,000 people participating with each one donating $10. That is $720,000, a lot of money that could really help genomic cancer research,” Flynn said. The high school junior from Farmington, Ark., is no stranger to community service. She has helped care for service dogs for the disabled; raised $250 for her local humane society when she was in middle school; and
produced PSAs on texting and driving, using the FBI’s Child ID smartphone app and establishing a national database for criminal DNA. But one day in July 2012 a segment on the “CBS This Morning” show struck a chord with her. The piece featured Dr. Lukas Wartman, an oncologist diagnosed with leukemia, the same cancer he’d devoted his life to studying. His fellow doctors at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis began researching ways to help their colleague through whole genome sequencing, locating and treating a mal-
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functioning gene that could be accelerating the growth of cancer. With the help of a new drug, Wartman became the first person to take it for leukemia. Against all odds – the disease has no known cure – Wartman went into remission. “Amazing, exciting, phenomenal are the three words that I thought of when I saw that show,” Flynn said. “I also thought that if they can do that for cancer, what about autism and Alzheimer’s and so much more?” Inspired by the ongoing work at Washington University, Flynn wanted to help raise money to advance genomic cancer research. A previous conversation with her grandmother about world records and the record for keeping a tennis ball in motion made everything click. That’s when Flynn contacted J.D. Hall, USPTA Professional and Director of Tennis at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., for help in organizing the fundraising relay.
Teah with Coach Larry Long (left), Retired Fayetteville High School Tennis Coach, and John Threet, Washington County (AR) Prosecuting Attorney after making a presentation to get support for the event.
good for the first year, but I believe we can do better each year to come.” Flynn said hosting a relay over a tournament made more sense because more people could get involved. The format for the relay is simple: six play“If I can reach my goal, that ers rotate on and off the court every hour in 10-minute intervals, all while would be 72,000 people keeping the ball in motion. Some participating with each coaches mix it up, having an all-day one donating $10. That is drill and alternate coaches. $720,000, a lot of money Jonathan Zielke, USPTA Professional and Assistant Director of Tenthat could really help nis at Pinnacle Country Club, said genomic cancer research.” the club blocked off one court all day, “The reason I decided to be a part of having members fill the spots in 30 the relay is because it was something so minute blocks and make donations to different and out of the ordinary and for participate. great cause,” Hall said. “I thought Teah’s “Teah is a strong tennis player in our junior tennis program at Pinidea was fantastic. The results were nacle, but she is also a great role model for the Lauren Johnston and Teah Flynn younger kids,” Zielke said. “With this event, she also inspired many of our adults to come together for a great cause.” For her efforts, the USTA Arkansas section awarded the Tennis Relay the 2013 Special Tennis Event of the Year award. However, not content with just one event at one club, Flynn recruited Hall to help her contact other USPTA Pros around the country to host relays, too.
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Nate Griffin, USPTA Professional and Director of Tennis at River Strand Golf and Country Club in Bradenton, Fla., was impressed with the ambition of a high school student and decided to host the event at his club, too. “It was simple to organize this event with a couple of emails and it basically ran itself from there,” Griffin said. “You only need one court and the format is simple and fun. We raised a few hundred dollars and we will probably double that total next year.” USPTA Pro Matt Grayson also held a tennis relay at his club last February. The Second Vice President of the USPTA Southern Division, who was awarded the individual USPTA Lessons for Life Award at the 2013 USPTA World Conference, is no stranger to fundraisers. And having worked with Hall for more than nine years, he had no hesitation to get involved. Grayson said with the help of online registration, members at his Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta could book a time to sign up with partners or individuals for a $50 per hour fee, with the proceeds going to the research fund. “This was a fun event for our members that I believe will pick up participation as we move forward since the players had such a fun time with this first-time event here at the club,” G rayson said. The second annual Keep the Ball in Motion – Rally and Give Back Tennis Relay will be held on Feb. 8, 2014. To learn more about the event visit tennisrelay.org. h
January 2014
ADDvantage 53
Sports doctors and teaching pros have very similar goals: to keep players healthy and active in the sport they love.
Keeping your players healthy on the court by Dr. Stephan Esser, USPTA
You’ve been there. One of your tennis clients is making gains, having fun on the court, booking lessons and then – BAM – they get injured and it all falls apart. Not only do they miss out on what they love and what you love sharing, but to be honest, your bottom line also suffers. It’s a lose-lose situation. I feel your pain I know just how that feels. Before becoming a sports medicine physician I taught tennis for 10 years in South Florida, including private and group adult
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January 2014
lessons and as a director of a 75-member junior academy. Along the way I learned that many health care providers had no idea about the ins and outs of tennis. I also found out that communication between teaching pros and doctors was almost non-existent. The truth is that sports doctors and teaching pros have very similar goals: to keep players healthy and active in the sport they love. Based on my experience as a teaching pro and as a physician, I wanted to offer a few tips on how to maximize your relationship with your local sports doctors and keep your players healthy and on your court. Top tips for success 1: Get to know your local sports doctors Which doctors your players visit can make the difference between if and when they get back on the court. Ask around: ask friends, players, family members and other pros. Who is good? Who understands tennis? Who communicates effectively in a positive, personalized way? Are any of your players sports doctors? Also, who does not have a good reputation? Make a list and keep it handy. Some doctors just say “stop playing tennis” without realizing there is a lot we can do to prevent injury. Or they may allow modified
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play while recovering. Consider giving your local sports doctors a call or swing by and meet them. Invite them to an evening mixer or grab a drink. Tell them about the types of injuries you see and ask them about their interests or experience with racquet sports. If they have an interest, consider inviting them to speak at an evening mixer or put together a special event on injury prevention with them. It can set you apart and further improve the value you bring to your players as a teaching professional.
then an evaluation should happen sooner than later. Don’t harass your players or tell them what to do, but do offer a friendly nudge and a few words of encouragement. Showing that you care only strengthens your player-pro relationship and will help keep or get them healthy.
design your own, include segments on grip type, hours of play, NTRP rating, string tension and other variables you may know better than your more recreational players. Helping them fill out the form to take to their doctor increases your value as a professional and can help them get the best care. Also coach your players on what to ask the doctor. The two most important questions you need answered are: 1. Can (and how soon can) your player return to the court? 2. Any limitations on play? Can they hit volleys but not serves? Can they hit from midcourt but not full court?
4. Maximize your effect The scientific evidence on tennis injury is growing. One thing we are learning is that proper technique is a major preventer of injury. So maximize your teaching time on technique, even with your “hit and giggle” les2: You are a valuable resource Remember that you are a “referral sons. I am talking about the basics, source” for sports medicine doctors. like using your kinetic chain (legs and For example, I often see players Just like you, they core), early conThe scientific evidence on tact points, correct with shoulder pain felt only on serves need to put food on the table, and tennis injury is growing. One grip type, adequate and overheads. Dependent on my exam, I may be able to clear them to return having you refer thing we are learning is that warm up and cool to the court for rallying low-pace balls patients to them proper technique is a major down and good from midcourt along with footwork is extremely valucross training. You predictor of injury. drills and volleys during shoulder treatable. Be proud of and I know better ment. Sometimes, but not always, the your client relationships and confident technique early on allows players to question boils down to full play or no in your value. You see athletes every excel on the court sooner. As a doctor, play. You need to know what the limits week whom the sports doctor would I know good technique can reduce are so you can help keep the player aclove to see in their clinic. If you learn injury rates. If you need a refresher, tive but protect them from injury while which players could benefit from an check out the excellent USPTA and they are on your courts. Knowing the evaluation and you encourage them USTA resources available in print, online and on DVD. Stay on top of new answers can help you plan your schedto visit the right doctor, you help your concepts and don’t be afraid to adapt ule, keep your players appropriately players stay active or return to the your style if needed. involved and hopefully reduce their court sooner after an injury. If you derisk of re-injury. Think creatively. How velop a good relationship with your local sport doctor, you may also be able to 5. Communication is KING of the court can you improve communication in In many athletic environments, your area? get your players on the doctor’s short list so they skip the long lines. You look coaches, players, trainers and doctors communicate seamlessly. This helps Take it to the courts good, the players appreciate it and you So now you have some basics. You the players get the most out of their get them back on the court sooner. As love tennis, I love tennis and your playsport while limiting the effects of inthey say, who you know counts. ers love tennis. Find a sports doctor in jury. Although most of our players are your community who loves or at least not in collegiate or professional set3. Know your limits Don’t try to be a doctor, but do supunderstands the basics of tennis as tings where this flourishes, that is not well. Develop a relationship, communiport your players. Your skills are likely an excuse to allow inadequate commucate effectively, and recognize you are better on the court than diagnosing the nication to limit their success. top 10 causes of knee pain. That’s okay! In an effort to help improve things, an asset to both your players and the loYou don’t need to know it all. If a player I have designed handouts for my local cal doctors. Together we can keep more develops mild pain in the knee, shoulpros to give to their injured players. people playing tennis longer, with few der or other joint and it persists despite (Email me if you want copies.) If you er injuries. h a week or so of PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation) then Dr. Stephan Esser, USPTA, is a non-operative sports and spine physician encourage your player to get it checked who specializes in reducing pain, maximizing function and educating and out. If they have a more severe acute empowering patients. He is a former No. 1 in the U.S. in men’s open USTA injury with significant pain, new swelldoubles. He practices sports medicine with Heekin Orthopedics in Jacking, weakness, numbness or tingling, sonville, Fla. He can be reached at dresser@heekinortho.com.
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ADDvantage 55
Career Development Exams, Upgrades & PTCA I (4 credits for PTCA I segment) Jan. 12 Clive, Iowa Jan. 17 Palo Alto, Calif. Jan. 17-18 Houston* Jan. 18-19 Boca Raton, Fla. Aurora, Ill. Jan 18-19 Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 2 Feb. 7-8 Atlanta Port Washington, N.Y. Feb. 13-14 Feb. 15-16 Orlando Horseshoe Bay, Texas Feb. 15-16 Feb. 20 Kansas City, Kan. Feb. 21-22 Houston* * 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.
Webinars
USPTAPlayer.com Tournament Module Training
Conventions (Division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference 8 credits; dates subject to change) Jan. 17-18 Jan. 18-20 Jan. 24-26 Jan. 24-25 Jan. 25-26 Feb. 13-16 Feb. 21-22 Feb. 28-March 1 March 1-3 March 2
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Midwest Division Columbus, Ohio
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Management: a learned skill Columbus, Ohio; A. Pant
Cardio Tennis Jan 11 CT Marina Del Ray, Calif. Jan 12 TRX CT Marina Del Ray, Calif. Feb. 9 CT Honolulu Feb. 20 CT Kansas City, Mo. Feb. 24 CT Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 25 TRX CT Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 27 CT Columbus, Ohio March 2 CT San Francisco March 3 TRX CT San Francisco Please visit www.cardiotennis.com to register online.
(.5 APC credits) Jan. 16 Jan. 28 Feb. 6 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 27
Fridley, Minn. Stanford, Calif. White Plains, N.Y. Phoenix Los Angeles Horseshoe Bay, Texas Mission Hills, Kan. Fredericksburg, Va. Dublin, Ohio La Jolla, Calif.
1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST
To register, email randy.jenks@uspta.org and indicate which session you would like. Training is open to the first 24 to register. A confirmation email will be sent that provides the webinar instructions.
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Accredited Professional Coach Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC.
To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session.
If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.
January 2014
ADDvantage 57
Industry Action Member News • Dick Johnson, USPTA, was selected as a recipient of the 2013 High School All-Star Coaching No-Cut Team. Johnson is a Southwest USTA Hall of Fame inductee and past president of the USPTA Southwest Division. He also recently co-hosted the Rally for the Cure Cancer Initiative at the 2013 Coleman Vision Women’s Professional Tennis Tournament in Albuquerque, N.M. The event raised more than $8,000 for cancer research. • USPTA Professional Eileen Kelly Berry journeyed to Bulima, Tanzania, in September to introduce tennis to AIDS orphans and children of poor African pastors and missionaries at the Lion of Judah Academy. From creating a make-shift court to designing tennis wear for the girls to King of the Court, “it was a joy to work with these beautiful children,” Berry said. “They listened, helped out when needed and were looking for extra time on the court whenever they saw me.” USTA New England provided a 10 and Under Tennis equipment package with racquets and balls. • USPTA Professional Bill Phillips, regional vice president of the Southern Division, was named the USTA National Trainer of the Year. Phillips began teaching tennis while in the U.S. Air Force 40 years ago. Since that time he has served in a wide variety of roles as a teacher, leader and coach, including community coordinator and director of community development for USTA Louisiana, president of USPTA Louisiana, and president of the USPTA Southern Division. He also serves as chairman of USPTA’s 10 and Under Tennis Committee.
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• USPTA Pros Josh Basha, Glenn Delaney and Tony Thompson along with Forest Crest Athletic Club in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., held a Tennis Across America event offering free junior and adult training. The event, which included tennis 101, Cardio Tennis, and point play, was free and open to the public. Participants were asked to bring canned food items. With 67 participants, 476 pounds of food was donated to Hope Link, a local food bank and social services agency. • Scott Irwin, USPTA, is the new general manager of the Diamondhead Country Club and Property Owners Association in Diamondhead, Miss. Irwin has held various positions managing operations at country clubs, resorts and racquet clubs across the U.S. and Canada. He is a member of the CMAA, the International Food Service Executives Association, and a life member of the USTA. In 2002, he was the recipient of the USPTA Club Manager of the Year for the nine southeastern U.S. states. He was awarded the Certified Club Manager designation by the CMAA, joining 1,300 other club managers who hold this hallmark designation. In 2004 he obtained the prestigious Master Certified Food Executive designation from the International Food Service Executives Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. • USPTA Professional Jim Lopez was honored as part of the Class of 2013 for the Rutgers-Newark Athletic Hall of Fame in New Jersey. Lopez, who was a two-year team captain and three-year standout in singles and doubles play, remains the only RutgersNewark men’s tennis player to advance through two rounds of the NAIA National
Tournament. He posted unbeaten records in singles and doubles in NAIA District 31 competition as a junior to finish with an overall record of 79-12. He founded the Jim Lopez Tennis Academy in 1980 and still serves as its director. As a prep coach, he has been named the coach of the year 11 times for girls and boys teams by newspapers in Florida and Maryland. He is currently a classroom teacher in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system. • Bob Love, one of the original 18 USPTA Master Professionals, was recently named the 2013 Jr. Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year for USTA Kentucky. Love organized a summer JTT league with nine teams from eight counties, plus a five-team USTA Fall Interscholastic League. •Les Longshore, USPTA, passed away last September at the age of 88. A renowned tennis player, he won the SEC singles and doubles championships in 1946 while at Tulane University, and he competed in the U.S. National Championships (now known as the US Open) every year between 1952 and 1959, most notably reaching the round of 16 in 1958. He founded and served as president of the Southern Professional Tennis Association and served as national USPTA president in 1974. He went on to coach tennis at Mountain Brook Swim & Tennis Club, Highland Racquet Club and Clemson University among others. Longshore was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003. After a championship career in tennis, Longshore took up running in his 50s and completed 37 marathons.
January 2014
ADDvantage 59
Your Serve 2020 Vision Reaching 10 million frequent players will be a boon to tennis. But how do we get there in seven years? By Kevin Theos
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“10 million frequent players by 2020”—that’s the stated goal of the Tennis Industry Association, and it would just about double the number of frequent players we now have. Increasing the number of frequent tennis players, who play at least 21 times a year, is wise. Frequent players engage in more play occasions and collectively spend far more on equipment, apparel, lessons, court fees and other tennis expenses than those who play less often. The question is, how do we increase frequent players? Here are some suggestions. We need PlayTennis.com to be successful. The centerpiece of the TIA’s efforts to increase frequent players is PlayTennis.com, which links individuals with facilities, programs, partners and other providers in their areas. PlayTennis.com could bring lots of new players into tennis, and increase the number of frequent players, but its effectiveness depends on how aware the non-tennis playing public is of the website. The TIA, USTA and industry partners must initiate a full-scale promotion of PlayTennis.com.
‘We need to increase participation in programs. … We also need to realize that much tennis play occurs outside of programs.’ We need to increase participation in programs. Competitive and recreational programs facilitate frequent participation by providing players with consistent days and times when they know
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January 2014
they will be able to play. Both within and outside the USTA, countless programs depend on volunteer leaders. Actively educating people about volunteer opportunities and encouraging them to occupy those specific volunteer roles necessary for many programs to operate and grow is imperative if we are to make our programs as populous as they can be.
‘Getting players out to the courts is one thing; the bigger challenge is getting them to come back on a consistent basis.’ We also need to realize that much tennis play occurs outside of programs, and that many communities have no organized programs. If every USTA member were both involved in a program and a frequent player, which is hardly the case, USTA members would still make up less than 15% of the frequent players in the U.S. So how do we inspire play outside of programs? It used to be far more common than it is now, but there are still courts where people show up after work or on the weekends to play tennis with others who happen to be there. It may seem nostalgic to think we could once again have many more courts where people simply come out to play unscheduled singles and doubles matches, or to just hit with others. But if community tennis associations would send greeters/players to public tennis courts and advertise “just show up and play tennis” days, we could resurrect some of the venues we have lost over the years.
Getting players out to the courts is one thing; the bigger challenge is getting them to come back on a consistent basis. Individuals have a vast array of recreational options and are more demanding than ever of instant gratification. To effectively compete with recreational alternatives, tennis needs to make it easier for beginners to rally. People who spend too much time picking up tennis balls and not enough time playing are unlikely to become avid players. Promoting the use of Red, Orange and Green balls is crucial. Low-compression balls enable players of modest skill, at any age, to quickly sustain rallies. This is where the fun is. This is where tennis either “clicks” for players and they decide to come back, or they decide tennis is not for them. The ball can make all the difference. Tennis must interest people swiftly if it is going to stand a chance at having them fall for the sport. Our ultimate success in attaining 10 million frequent players by 2020 depends both on introducing many more people to tennis and helping them to become infatuated with the sport quickly. We have seven years to reach our goal—let’s make it happen. • Kevin Theos is the USTA Southern Tennis Service Representative for Alabama. He serves on the USPTA Southern Division executive committee and is the former executive director of the Birmingham Area Tennis Association. We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to RSI@racquetTECH.com.