USPTA Eastern Fall 2020 Newsletter

USPTA Eastern Fall 2020 Newsletter

The Late

BOB RYLAND WINNER OF THE 2020 TIM HECKLER HALL OF FAME AWARD

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President’s Message

F

olks, what a spring and summer we have all had! Navigating through Covid-19 has been difficult for us all and I just want to take a moment to acknowledge all the friends and family we have lost.

We have all experienced some devastating effects both personally and professionally these past few months, especially in the Metro & Tri-State area. Rest in Peace Bob Ryland. He paved the way for many of us minority professionals whether we know of him or not. His leadership and persistence were second to none. He will be missed in our community, but never forgotten.

Make sure you read the article in this edition about the legendary, and now USPTA Hall of Famer, Bob Ryland. I am also sad to report Daniel Burgess has passed away. Not only was he a past President for USPTA Eastern, but he was highly involved in growing tennis in the Long Island region as a USTA LI Regional President. He was passionate and persistent about exposing tennis to the kids in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. He and Bob will forever be missed.

Now that we are managing this pandemic much better in the Northeast we are seeing a wonderful resurgence of tennis in our parks and public courts. Hopefully, the summer was fruitful for you all and this uptick in participation translates into meaningful income for you and your programs.

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I was thrilled to see the US Open on TV! What an exceptional Men’s & Women’s final! Congratulations to Naomi Osaka and Dominic Thiem for winning their finals in thrilling comeback fashion. Seeing them on the big screen will hopefully motivate a lot of tennis fans to get back on the courts and participate in organized play.

What a terrific USPTA Virtual World Conference we had! It certainly was not the same as the annual in-person conference, however USPTA National really did a great job investing in a digital platform that created a fantastic educational experience. With top notch speakers, national really knocked it out of the park! John Embree and his staff really out-did themselves to provide our membership with continuing education in lieu of an in-person conference.

All of this is leading up to the end of our three-year education cycle. USPTA and USTA want to recognize the financial hardship everyone is going through and want to help during this pandemic. The USPTA and USTA have agreed to come together and pay your 2021 membership dues in full! This has never been done before and will prove to be an immense help during these unprecedented times. To be eligible for this subsidy you must be a USPTA member in good standing.

This includes current membership dues, having your required six educational credits, and completing the USTA Safe Play certification. The

deadline for the 2021 membership dues grant was October 1.

In November, we will have yet another opportunity for continued education by participating in the USPTA National Education Day workshops. Across the districts, and online we will be providing educational opportunities for YOU! Take the time to invest in yourself and participate in an event near you! If your schedule does not allow, we will continue to offer monthly webinars. A full list of online learning will be available soon. More to come on this.

Thank you USTA National and USTA Eastern for creating some great resources for facilities and players regarding safety and protocol to keep everyone – both staff and players – safe, healthy, and comfortable while playing tennis. If you have not already, check out the USTA EASTERN COVID-19 UPDATES online.

As we get back to our regular fall programming, remember we have an obligation to keep our staff, juniors, and adults safe on court. Make good decisions and stay vigilant! Without a doubt these current times are stressful, and complicated. However, this is a perfect opportunity to face adversity and remind ourselves that we can overcome these obstacles by figuring out what we can do instead of what we cannot. Thank you for being a valued member of the USPTA. * Jason Speirs USPTA Eastern President

2020 USPTA WORLD CONFERENCE

Thanks for coming!

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Confessions of an all-court coach Marvin Dent, USpta Elite Professional

6. If the serve was prehensile or non-prehensile.

7. Understanding the segment stages, especially blocking as it is used in biomechanical physics.

8. The more formidable release, catapult vs trebuchet.

9. Avoiding the effects of aerodynamics.

10. Seeing who is willing to be a puppet.

I

n my mind, less was more. The learning curve had to be flattened.

Understanding how learning took place was a must. Understanding how information is processed relative to the conventional methods of teaching required a forensic investigation. My initial investigation led me to the mirror as Michael Jackson demand in song whenever you want to make a change. I did not like what I saw.

1. The Serve became the very first part of the lesson instead of the last. If it took the entire lesson, so be it.

2. Hiding in plain sight, was the weakest part of the vast majority of the players; the toss.

3. The multitude of ways players initiate the ground forces to begin the kinetic chain.

4. How frightfully little was understood about the chain.

How even less was understood of the conservation of angular momentum (COAM).

5. Conversely, where the power source on the serve was.

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Philosophically, I was as far removed from convention as possible: 1. I am vehemently against the notion of a first and second serve.

2. The vast majority of your serves should have some slice on them.

3. There is such a thing as a good double fault.

4. Aces should be a complete and utter surprise to the server, especially to girls.

5. Opt to throw the receiver's timing off rather than to intimidate them with speed alone.

The 4 Cs Modes of Play of the AllCourt Game 1.

2.

3.

4.

Consistency Crisis Creativity Command

A certain level of proficiency will be required to respond appropriately to the demands of the game including:

Areas of Consistency - baseline groundstrokes, serves, first volley

Areas of Crisis - Return of first

serves; return of overheads; passing shots; outside of the perimeter of the court

Areas of Creativity - approach

shots, drop shots, rescue shots, slices and chips, second volleys, overheads beyond the service line, defensive and offensive lobs

Areas of Command - overheads

inside the service line; swing volleys

The Return of Serve

My position on attitudes and philosophies of returns was that the prevailing approach has been to treat the return as if it were a groundstroke for obvious reasons.

I am completely against that approach unless your name is Rafael Nadal. Otherwise, bienvenidos a la corrida. Toro. OLE! Welcome to the bullfight, aka the return of the serve.

The server (bull) has the advantage but the returner (matador) can blunt

the advance through skill. It is built on enough macho to not let the ball come to you. Seek and you will find the bounce.

The Interior of the Court

The interior of the court is the true comfort zone of the All Court Player. In another era they were called Serve and Volley players but that is as restricting and less rewarding than pure grinding from the back of the court. The subtitles of recognizing opportunities where seemingly non existent is a hallmark of the ACP while at the same time presenting unpredictability as if it were a shield as a counterpoint.

The bane of the ACP's existence is mindless hitting which, more often than not, is the general practice.

Hitting has very little in common with actual play. It encourages player to wait for the ball rather

than to practice the choreography of dancing to the ball. Fitness training becomes a deterrent because if you are running on a tennis court, you are already in trouble. Not enough emphasis is placed on the 2/4/6 steps that could keep you out of trouble. Lateral movement is 71% of the locomotion on the court. Couple with 19% of forward and 10% of backward would serve most very well. How many players do you see practicing running backward? Moving on angles is highly demanding in actual play but it becomes problematic without being totally comfortable with the karaoke steps.

John McEnroe ignored conventional wisdom with his volleys and became renown for it. *

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Executive USPTA Director’s Report eastern board 2020

continues to be an incredibly challenging year. We are all facing changes in our society and our industry.

Everyone has been asked to change accordingly. USPTA Eastern and USPTA National held virtual conferences in 2020. Both conferences were successful, however we all look forward to being at a conference or workshop without restrictions as soon as possible.

The USTA Eastern Section will be holding a virtual conference in January of 2021. USPTA Eastern will be partnering with the USTA Eastern on this event and the conference is shaping up to be informative and insightful. Please register for this event. You will be receiving notices shortly.

I want to remind everyone there is still time to get free USPTA dues. Many members have been successful in complying with the criteria for free dues in 2021. Great job! There are still many who are not in compliance. You have until December 31, 2020 to become compliant and receive free dues in 2022. To be compliant, you need to 1. Pay the current year (2020) dues in full. 2. Pass the Safe Play protocol before December 31, 2020.

3. Completed 6 educational credits for your 3-year cycle.

We realize this is an excellent opportunity to receive one year’s dues for free. If you have any questions, please contact me directly at (914) 656-0614 or at eastern-ed@uspta.org for more information.

On a sad note, Monday, September 28th I received the news that Dan Burgess had passed in his

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sleep. Dan's passing is very, sad news. He was a major contributor to USTA Eastern tennis and was a major contributor (Past President/Head Tester) to the USPTA for more than 35 years.

Many of you reading this were probably tested by Dan for your USPTA certification.

He gave his time and effort to help people throughout the tennis community. Dan was a good friend of mine for 25 years. Danny Burgess will be missed.

To quote the great Arthur Ashe “from what we get, we can make a living. What we give; however, makes a life.”

Dan Burgess lead a great life! *

President

Jason Speirs

Jspeirs@empiretennisacademy.com

Past President & Regional VP Geoffrey Jagdfeld

Geoff@solarisclubs.com

First Vice President Mike Smookler

Smooks@gmail.com

VP Secretary

Ryan Berthod Rberthod@lt.life

VP Treasure Jackie Clark

Jacquelineclark555@gmail.com

VP Membership Millie Didio

Millie.tennisclubofhastings@gmail.com

Executive Director Paul Fontana

Eastern-ed@uspta.org

Questions and Feedback:

A Publication of the USPTA Eastern Division 914-656-0614 eastern-ed@uspta.org Official USPTA Eastern Division @usptaeastern The Eastern Newsletter is published quarterly by the Eastern Division of the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in the Eastern Newsletter are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Eastern Newsletter or the USPTA Eastern Division.

A Tribute to Daniel Burgess

U

Photo Credit: Darlene Pergola-Apolant

SPTA has lost a family member.

Daniel Burgess, over 30 years of membership, dedicated service to the organization. He was a mentor for a number of community children and was deeply loved by the Community of Freeport, NY. His arms reached much further, Nationally and Internationally.

As a head tester he help certified teaching professionals for 30 years, English and Spanish. Dan was the man who always extended a hand whenever needed. He Served as USPTA/Eastern Division President.

He also served as USTA Eastern Long Island Regional President. Daniel has received numerous awards recognizing his achievements.

Daniel was an outstanding coach.

As a role model through tennis, he taught discipline, character, and structure to a great number of young tennis players, on and off court, regardless of race, age, gender or socio-economic status.

Daniel’s sole mission was to share love for the game of tennis. Daniel was a true professional and a Hall of Famer. Rest in Peace our friend and USPTA Member for Life. *

Photo Credit: Melanie Siegel Rubin

Roy Dyson, Past USPTA Eastern Division President

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I Can Only Imagine (Being the First) the late Daniel Burges, USpta Elite Professional

Remembering Coach Robert Ryland 1. First African American high school champion in Chicago 2. First African American to play in the NCAA Tennis Championship 3. First African American to join Jack March’s World Tennis Tour 4. First African American professional tennis player 5. First African American USPTA member 6. First African American to teach at Midtown Tennis Club in Manhattan, NY 7. First African American to coach Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Arold Solomon, Leslie Allen and others including Venus and Serena Williams.

thirsty and not allowed to drink from a water fountain because it was for whites only?

Can you imagine having to have your teammates smuggle food to you, and sneaking you in through the back door of a hotel because it was only for whites?

Can you imagine not being able to realize your dreams because you were not allowed to play in whiteonly tournaments?”

I could not imagine what that was like and I have experienced lots of hardship in my lifetime. Can you imagine what that must have been like?

Coach said, “Being part Black, White and Native American taught me how to survive. I survived by picking my battles and knowing when to speak up for what is right.

You have to be smart so that you can realize your innate potential in life.”

I was blessed to have known “Coach.” I had the pleasure of celebrating his 100 birthday by connecting him and his friend and fellow tour player Rafael Fuentes via Facetime. It was a pleasure being the chair umpire as the two friends, one centenarian and a nonagenarian relived every practice point and match they played on the tour. What a fun day with lots of jokes and tennis tales amongst friends.

Robert (Coach) Ryland was blessed to have a life partner always by his side, Mrs. Nancy Ryland, who cared for and met his every need until he took his last breath.

Can you Imagine, Coach, you kept the last ball in play. RIP Coach. *

I can only imagine being that person. Can you? Coach once said to me, “Burgess, can you imagine being

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Thank USPTA youNational to our Endorsees Endorsees

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Tennis club of Rochester The USPTA Western New York 26th Annual Clinic was held on Saturday morning, August 29th at the Tennis Club of Rochester. After a bagels and coffee breakfast, attendees were given a take-home folder with outlines of three different presenters. There were about 15 attendees, mostly USPTA members from Albany, Rochester and Buffalo including a few who had taken the oncourt part of the USPTA Exam the day before.

“Teach Tactics, Not Strokes” STEVE PEKICH (Syracuse), USPTA Western NY Representative and 2007 Pro of the Year

“Coordination in Tennis for Accelerated Player Development” JASON JOESPH (Buffalo District),

“Doubles Essentials for All Players” JASON SPEIRS (Rochester), USPTA/ Eastern President, Pro of the Year 2015

Chair of USPTA/Eastern Education Committee

Lunch was served at noon and USPTA held an Elevate meeting outside in which Jason Speirs had an open discussion as to how USPTA can expand its support to members and tennis in general.

Thanks to the Tennis Club of Rochester and Manager Deanna Kernan, USPTA, for hosting.

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Military Service Inspired by Tennis Corps Amanda Folks, ThanksUSA Development Manager

W

ho would have thought playing tennis with military veterans would lead a young athlete to the United States Naval Academy? Junior tennis player Ananth Gunupati is heading in that direction, inspired in part by wounded warriors. Gunupati has participated in Tennis Corps, a ThanksUSA program in partnership with the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md. Once a week, junior tennis players are paired with disabled veterans to share their skills and learn from each other.

Photo Courtesy of Ananth Gunupati

For Gunupati, the experience has been an eye-opener. “I see integrity, discipline and inner strength when I am with the veterans. I have learned from the vets’ stories and what they have been through,” he says. “When I am with the veterans, I get a boost of confidence and am immediately made aware that anything can be achieved with the right mindset.”

And now, as he enters his final year, this high school senior and secondgeneration American is setting his sights on becoming the first member of his family to serve in uniform as a naval scholar.

That drive also comes from a family legacy of strength and sacrifice. As a cardiovascular surgeon in India, Gunupati’s grandfather immigrated to the United States in 1967. Eager to gain experience in his career, he earned citizenship a few years later.

Gunupati recalls hearing about his grandfather’s experiences in his early years in the U.S. “He always made it a point to tell me how kind America has been to him.”

Gunupati is paying that kindness forward, in part, through Tennis Corps, which is more than a physical rehabilitation program for disabled veterans and a teaching program for junior tennis players. It is a social inclusion program that brings together these two unlikely groups both on and off the court.

When non-profit organizations ThanksUSA and JTCC came together to create Tennis Corps, Gunupati was just the type of young player they were looking for. His commitment and drive helped this unique mentoring program attain its goals. This success has drawn the attention of the USTA, which recently partnered with ThanksUSA to

promote Tennis Corps nationwide.

After adopting the program at their weekly military clinic at the National Campus, the USTA agreed that the social inclusion and rehabilitation benefits of Tennis Corps are something that should be shared.

It turned out that these weekly tennis sessions were doing much more than strengthening Gunupati’s teaching and training skills – they were instilling in him an idea that had been planted by his grandfather and cultivated by his experiences growing up near Washington, D.C. Gunupati and Navy retiree Shaun Sabio developed a friendship as they spent time together on the court.

“After serving in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years, there is zero doubt in my mind that Gunupati would be an outstanding addition to the military,” Sabio said. “I would be proud to serve alongside him.”

It will be several months before Gunupati knows if he has been accepted to the Naval Academy.

During that time, ThanksUSA and the USTA hope to make the Tennis Corps program a staple in military rehabilitation and tennis communities throughout the United States.

“We have seen so much good come from this program,” says ThanksUSA President & CEO Jon Rosa. “And we are honored to share it.”

In the meantime, Gunupati will continue his studies, grow as an athlete and attend Tennis Corps each week. And the veterans will continue to encourage and cheer for his success.

Learn more about ThanksUSA: www.ThanksUSA.org

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West Orange Coach’s workshop On Saturday, August 1st, the USPTA Eastern Section held their first in person coach's work-shop at the West Orange Tennis Club, hosted

by Mike Smookler, the 1st Vice President. NJ USPTA President Karla Ruaya put together dynamic speaker line-up featuring USPTA Executive Director, Paul Fontana, Competitive Player Development Coach, Bob Bynum and USPTA Elite Professional, Marvin Dent.

Paul Fontana started off the morning with his presentation, "Taking Yourself to the Next Level".

Long time presenter Bob Bynum followed up with his topic, "It's Not Where, But When!" Marvin Dent concluded to morning speaking on "Confessions of an All-Court Player".

Robert Greer 2nd Annual Jo-Ann Davzis Memorial Tournament Robert Greer Tennis’ 2nd Annual Jo-Ann Danzis Memorial Tournament was held Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th at the West Orange Tennis Club in NJ. The tournament raised money for the Jo-Ann Danzis Foundation, benefiting Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Visit and Donate at danzis.org

The Women’s Doubles on Saturday featured Samantha Falcon and Roopah Agarwal Hall defeating Emi Shivkumar and Sydney Langer.

On Sunday, Christopher Ujkic defeated Ben Adams in the Men’s Final.

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education Update! jason joseph, USPTA Eastern education chairperson

In 2013, the USPTA came to the conclusion that in order to be competitive, both globally and domestically, our certified tennis providers should engage in continuing education to help meet the challenges that exist in the field of providing quality tennis instruction and play. The minimum requirements have currently evolved to 12 hours (or 6.0 USPTA credits) of continuing tennis coaching education every three years, to help meet the needs of an evolving industry.

The USPTA and USTA has agreed, through the generous grant from both associations, to pay your 2021 membership dues in full! This will be an immense help during unprecedented times. However, in order to be eligible for this subsidy, you must be a USPTA member in good standing in 2020. That includes up-to-date membership dues as well as continuing education requirements. It will also require completing the USTA Safe Play online course as well as completing a background check. An advantage to completing the USTA Safe Play is that it will immediately give you 0.75 credits towards your USPTA Continuing Education Requirements.

To receive educational credits

CLICK HERE

To pay dues

CLICK HERE

To complete Safe Play and Background check:

CLICK HERE

We hope you join us in taking advantage of this opportunity, to have your membership dues paid in full for 2021 and to be recognized as a current, certified tennis professional with the USPTA as we move forward into a phasingin of the tennis industry post-COVID.

Thank you to the USTA and the USPTA!! fall 2020 Eastern Newsletter — 17

End of the year Certification and Upgrade dates November 15, 2020 The Westchester Tennis Center ..................Portchester, NY

November 29, 2020 USTA BJK NTC........................................................... Flushing , NY

December 30, 2020 uSTA BJK NTC............................................................Flushing, NY

2021 Dates will be available soon!

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