2014 Summer CrossCourt

CrossCourt missourivalley.usta.com

S ummer 2014

Grass in the Valley Also in this issue: • Sportsmanship Spotlight

on Nebraska siblings • On Court with JTT Coach

Jason Falzone • Net Notes • 2014 Summer Calendar

CrossCourt The USTA Missouri Valley publishes CrossCourt quarterly, focusing specifically on the members and events in the section. All material copyright USTA Missouri Valley, unless otherwise noted.

Your feedback is welcomed.

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Spotlight ON: SPortsmanship

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2014 Summer Calendar

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Grass in the valley

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on court with

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net notes

Siblings Andrew and Elizabeth Nelson know what it takes to be good sports - and they have the awards to prove it.

Your guide to events in the Missouri Valley this summer!

Grass courts are a rare breed in the United States, but CrossCourt found there are a few spots to play right here in our section.

Jason Falzone has been a Jr. Team Tennis organizer for the past three years in St. Louis, Missouri. CrossCourt and asked him why young tennis players should get involved in JTT.

Get the latest news from all around the USTA Missouri Valley including Fed Cup, Youth Tennis and more.

(913) 322-4800 (888)368-8612 Toll Free

Spotlight ON:

Sportsmanship

Siblings Andrew and Elizabeth Nelson of Omaha, Neb., took advantage of the USTA’s First Year Free promotion in which they received free membership for a year. They’ve certainly put it to good use as both young players have brought home Sportsmanship awards in 2014.

Andrew, age eight, won his Sportsmanship Award at the Country Club of Missouri ROGY 1 event on March 9 in Columbia, Mo. A day earlier, Elizabeth, age 10, won the Sportsmanship at the Missouri 10&U ROGY event at the Millennium Tennis Club in Joplin, Mo. CrossCourt caught up with both Elizabeth and Andrew about the importance of sportsmanship and their love for tennis.

When did you get started playing tennis?

Elizabeth: When I was five, I started attending a local summer clinic with Coach Bill Roach.

Andrew: I started hitting the tennis ball around in the driveway with my sister. Later, I attended the same clinics with Coach Roach.

How do you show good sportsmanship when you play tennis?

Elizabeth: When my opponent makes a good shot, I say “nice shot”.

Also, at the end of the match, I shake my opponent’s hand and say “good job, I hope to play you again. That was fun.”

Andrew: I say “nice hit” when my opponent hits a good ball and I shake their hands and say “good job” at the end of the match.

Who taught you to be a good sport?

Elizabeth: My parents and my coach, Bill Roach.

Andrew: My parents.

(913) 322-4801 Fax

What’s your favorite thing about tennis?

Elizabeth: I love the adrenaline rush tennis gives you; I love the strategy of tennis; I just love everything about tennis!

Andrew: Just hitting the ball and having fun.

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For questions about your USTA membership, please contact USTA Member Services at 1-800-990-USTA, or visit www.membership.usta.com.

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Summer 2014

Above: Courts at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, Missouri.

Right: U.S. Fed Cup team captain Mary Joe Fernandez participates in the Fired Up for Fed Cup community event on April 16.

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Do you play any other sports? And how does sportsmanship from tennis apply to those?

Elizabeth: I play softball, do dance, and am on swim and dive team.

In softball, we are disciplined not to make fun of the other team and at the end of each game, we shake hands and say “good job, I hope to play you again.”

Andrew: I play basketball, football, baseball, and am on swim team.

In basketball, football, and baseball, we shake hands and say good job at the end of each game.

Where do you keep the sportsmanship prize you won?

Elizabeth: I keep it displayed on a bookshelf in my room.

Andrew: In my room.

Andrew and Elizabeth proudly show off their sportsmanship awards.

First Year Free members can renew their memberships for $10. Use offer code 10MV14. missourivalley.usta.com

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A U G U S T

J U L Y

J U N E

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US Open (cont d thru Sept. 8)

USTA Semiannual Meeting & Conference (cont d)

US Open USTA Wheelchair Tennis Championships (cont d

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USTA MV Outdoor August Super Oklahoma City Tennis Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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TUESDAY

Jr. Team Tennis Section Championships LaFortune Tennis Center Tulsa, Oklahoma

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TUESDAY

USTA MV June Sweet 16 Plaza Tennis Center Kansas City, Missouri

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Springfield Lasers vs.

Boston Lobsters

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Adult League Section Championship II Oklahoma City Tennis Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Adult League Section Championship I Dwight Davis Tennis Center St. Louis, Missouri

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THURSDAY

Springfield Lasers vs.

San Diego Aviators (Daniela Hantuchova)

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THURSDAY

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US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament Homestead Country Club Prairie Village, Kansas

USTA Zone Team Championships Various Sites

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THURSDAY

Orange = Community event Red = Juniors event Dark Blue = Pro Circuit event

USTA Tennis Teachers Conference New York, New York

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FRIDAY

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USTA MV Outdoor July Futures Koch Family Tennis Center Omaha, Nebraska

Springfield Lasers vs.

Washington Kastles

FRIDAY

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USTA MV 14s Team Event Westwood Tennis Center Norman, Oklahoma USTA MV 12s Team Event Dwight Davis Tennis Center St. Louis, Missouri

Jim Thorpe Games Tennis Tournament Shawnee, Oklahoma

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USTA MV June Super Dwight Davis Tennis Center St. Louis, Missouri

FRIDAY

USTA Semiannual Meeting & Conference New York, New York

Arthur Ashe Kids Day National Tennis Center

USTA MV Section Orange Ball Events Various Sites

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All Stars Day Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center Wichita, Kansas

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Springfield Lasers vs.

Texas Wild (James Blake)

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Green = National event Light Blue = Adult Leagues event Purple = World TeamTennis event

For a complete list of adult and junior tournaments, go to tennislink.usta.com

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US Open Flushing Meadows, New York

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US Open USTA Wheelchair Tennis Championships Dwight Davis Tennis Center St. Louis, Missouri

Men s Pro Circuit Edwardsville, Illinois

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Men s Pro Circuit Godfrey, Illinois

Springfield Lasers vs.

Texas Wild (USTA Membership Appreciation Night)

MONDAY

Men s Pro Circuit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

USTA National Women s Senior 65,75,85 Indoor Championship Midtown Athletic Club Overland Park, Kansas

Men s Pro Circuit Tulsa, Oklahoma

MONDAY

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Adult League Section Championship II (cont d)

USTA Tennis Teachers Conference (cont d)

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10 Men s Pro Circuit (cont d)

Adult League Section Championship I (cont d)

Men s Pro Circuit (cont d)

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SUNDAY

All Stars Day (cont d)

USTA MV Outdoor July Futures (cont d)

Springfield Lasers vs.

Austin Aces (James Blake & Andy Roddick)

USTA Zone Team Championships (cont d)

Springfield Lasers vs.

Philadelphia Freedoms (USTA Membership Appreciation Night)

USTA MV 14s Team Event (cont d) USTA MV 12s Team Event (cont d)

US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament (cont d) USTA National Women s Senior 65,75,85 Indoor Championship (cont d)

Men s Pro Circuit (cont d)

SUNDAY

Men s Pro Circuit (cont d)

USTA MV June Sweet 16 (cont d)

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USTA MV June Super (cont d)

SUNDAY

US TA MI S SO URI VAL L E Y

2014 Summer Events in the Visit missourivalley.usta.com to find the latest events in your area!

Grass in the Valley Grass courts are a rare breed in the United States, but CrossCourt found there are a few spots to play right here in our section.

Photo: Tower Grove Park Tennis Center

By Andrew Robinson

In a matter of weeks, the Championships at Wimbledon will begin with all of its grandeur and tradition. It’s the only Grand Slam played on grass, and while pros have access to grass courts and tournaments in the weeks leading up to the fortnight, it’s rare for recreational players to get out and play on some turf here. Grass courts are open to the public at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I, and several clubs along the eastern seaboard have grass courts, but get west of the Mississippi River and public grass courts become rather sparse.

We did a little digging, however, and found there are seven USTA Missouri Valley organizational members with grass courts; four of the courts are open to the public.

Tower Grove Park Tennis Center

Address: 4256 Magnolia, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Website: www.towergrovepark.org Public: Yes Number of grass courts: 3

The Rundown: It’s a little unclear as to when the grass courts first opened at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, but Joe Kovar, Head Tennis Pro at Tower Grove Park, estimates the courts have been there for 40-50 years. Originally, the courts were clay, but then those were sodded over. However, there is still salt and other chemicals in the soil effectively keeping grass from growing thick and long enough to play tennis on.

The courts have been a stop for tour pros through the years wanting a way to train for Wimbledon in the U.S. St. Louis-native Jimmy Connors has stopped at Tower Grove, as well as Doug Flach and Ken Flach, both of whom are also from St. Louis.

Over the years, a mixture of grass has been grown for the courts. Kovar said it’s a Zoysia Grass-base with a number of other grass types throughout the courts. With a melting pot of grass types, it has made maintenance difficult, Kovar said, but the courts typically open in mid-Spring and remain open through September.

“We’re lucky to have what we’ve got,” Kovar said.

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And despite harsh Midwestern winters, the courts always green back up in the spring and are ready for summer play.

“Winter is tough on them,” Kovar said. “The grass always comes back rather nicely.”

Tower Grove Park offers open play on the courts once a month, as well as two USTA-sanctioned tournaments during the summer including the Tower Grove Grass Court Tournament (ID# 404916414) June 13-15, and the USTA Henry Shaw Grass Court Tournament September 11-14 (ID# 404918214).

All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club Address: 2667 240th Street, Charles City, Iowa, Website: www.alliowalawntennisclub.com Public: Yes Number of grass courts: 1

The Rundown: Just a few hundred miles away from baseball’s “Field of Dreams” in Iowa, Mark and Denise Kuhn have their own field of dreams. A decade ago, the Kuhn’s converted a small cattle feed lot on the family farm into a grass court in Charles City, Iowa. Notoriety and publicity about the court has increased over the years, leading to more and more players interested in playing on the court.

This year, Kuhn expects between 300 and 350 players to stop by the court. While the court won’t be ready until after Memorial Day this year, Kuhn has been taking reservations for the summer for the last several months.

When guests do arrive, they’ll find new features on the court. Kuhn built wooden ash posts similar to those used on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

“They remarkably look a lot like the Edwards Net Posts at Wimbledon,” Kuhn said. He’s also adding an 8-foot tall umpire chair to the court.

“We always like to add a couple of new features that remind our guests of Wimbledon.”

Southeast Iowa Community Tennis Association Address: 1106 North B Street, Fairfield, Iowa Website: N/A Public: No Number of grass courts: 1

The Rundown: Dorian Punj, a resident of Fairfield, Iowa, has a pretty simple explanation of his grass tennis court.

“My front lawn is a grass court,” Punj said.

Yes, surrounded by a circular driveway, Punj’s front yard is a regulation-size tennis court.

Punj grew up in India where tennis is most often played on grass or clay and rarely on hard courts. So in 1999, Punj took it upon himself to install a grass court on his property. He didn’t stop there, though. Punj also has a clay court in his backyard, and has built six hard courts in Fairfield as well as an indoor facility which includes a European red clay court and a Har-Tru court.

Punj’s grass court is private, and used primarily by Punj and his friends. He also hosts a boys 18 and under doubles tournament over Labor Day weekend on the court.

“It allows for a bunch of kids to get on the grass,” Punj said.

Punj has also played host to former tour pro Luke Jensen who told Punj that his bent grass court played just like those at Wimbledon. missourivalley.usta.com

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ON COURT WITH...

Wakonda Country Club Address: 3915 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa Website: www. wakondaclub.com Public: No Number of grass courts: 2

Jason Falzone

The Rundown: While some clubs have grass courts that require a lot of maintenance and attention, Wakonda Country Club installed “omni” courts in 1985. The courts cost just $16,000 to install and have required little maintenance since. The courts have a base of about 16 tons of sand below a synthetic turf surface that resembles carpet.

“It’s the best value court,” said Bunny Bruning, director of tennis at Wakonda. “You can play on them when it’s raining, after it’s raining, you can spill stuff on it.”

Bruning said the courts play better than grass because the surface is more consistent, but in terms of speed they play slower than a hard court but faster than a clay court.

Do you know of a unique court in the Section? Share it with us!

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Jason Falzone is in his third year of organizing USTA Jr. Team Tennis at Vetta Sports in St. Louis, where he is the club’s tennis director. Falzone expects about 60 people to participate through Vetta in JTT this season. CrossCourt caught up with Falzone to speak with him about why he sees the JTT program as so valuable for young players.

Q: Why do you choose to be involved with USTA Jr. Team Tennis?

A: Jr. Team Tennis was designed to get more people involved at a grassroots level and so let’s help these kids grow and learn how to play tennis. It makes practices more meaningful once they really understand why they’re practicing. It’s just an alternative way to grow the game of tennis, the JTT program and the kids themselves.

Q: What do you hope for the participants to get out of the program?

A: Just that they had a good experience, that it was fun and they enjoy tennis more. They understand what it’s like to compete in a fun environment. It’s a learning experience, you want to teach them how to play, you want them to learn to respect their teammates and just learn the game of tennis in a fun environment. And what they choose to do with it - if they choose to be more serious and hyper competitive then great. If not, hopefully it will teach them something they can use for the rest of their lives.”

Q: Why is learning how to play team tennis important for younger players?

A: Having a group setting and being able to defer some of the critique is probably helpful. Playing tennis individually, you win or lose every point. It’s really easy to be hard on yourself. And in the team setting, half these teams aren’t even aware if their team won or lost. We let them know, but it’s really second fiddle to playing and enjoying the game.

Q: How do you try to make the game fun?

A: We could talk about little parties, team nicknames, or social barb-que events to bring everyone together. But frankly it’s probably the staff and how we run our practices. In my mind the most important thing is the leadership of the adults.

Q: How do you promote sportsmanship with them?

A: I just talk about how to act like a good sport, just talk about the rules of the game. One of the best things about JTT is you get to use it as a forum to talk about all the rules, what your obligations are and just learning how to do deal with conflict resolution.

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For more information on Jr. Team Tennis, visit www.missourivalley.usta.com/JTT. missourivalley.usta.com

// Summer 2014 CrossCourt 9

Net Notes

Net Notes Section Hosts Coach Youth Tennis On-Court Workshop

St. Louis Hosts 2014 Fed Cup

The USTA recently launched a new educational curriculum program, “Coach Youth Tennis,” to improve the quality and standards of teaching tennis to kids and enhance the long-term development of children in the sport. The program consists of a series of online courses and a handson workshop introducing participants to the fundamentals required for success in working with children ages 10 and under.

The 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Playoff between the United States and France was held at Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University April 19-20. Fed Cup is the world’s largest annual international women’s team competition (96 countries entered in 2014). France defeated the U.S., 3-2.

The USTA Missouri Valley held one of the new hands-on workshops on April 11 in Kansas City. Coaches and providers from around the section joined section staff on-court at Woodside Health and Tennis Club. Butch Staples, who led the workshop, travels the country teaching pros and volunteers how to best teach 10 and Under Tennis. Additonal on-court training is being scheduled throughout the Missouri Valley. For more information on upcoming workshops, visit w w w.CoachYouthTennis.com.

As part of the festivities, about 150 youth visited the Dwight Davis Tennis Center for the “Fired Up for the Fed Cup” community event. Decked in bright yellow shirts, the kids participated in a number of drills and games during the two-hour event. The U.S. Fed Cup team including Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Varvara Lepchenko, Christina McHale and team captain Mary Joe Fernandez stopped by the event to hit with participants.

March Youth Play Events

It was the first official event in a busy weekend of Fed Left to right: Christina McHale, Varvara Lepchenko, Madison Keys Cup events for St. Louis. The official Fed Cup dinner was and Sloane Stephens sign posters at the “Fired Up for the Fed Cup” held at the Peabody Opera House. The draw ceremony event at Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis, Missouri. and luncheon were at the St. Louis Public Library.

Membership Innovation Update At the USTA Annual Meeting in March, there was a unanimous vote to support amendments to the USTA Bylaws and USTA Regulations that provide a stable membership-related base. The changes passed at the Annual Meeting will prevent further erosion of the current Sectional Association funding related to the Membership allocation and other Membership driven association metrics while the Association studies and tests additional membership products to potentially add to the existing membership business model. This will enable the sections to focus on delivering the mission to promote and develop the growth of tennis without the worry of spending money acquiring members.

If you have any questions, please contact Membership Innovation Study Group member Manon Eilts at eilts@movalley.usta.com or 913-322-4826.

The Missouri Valley section played host to almost 30 Youth Play Events as part of the national March Youth Play iniative.

During the entire month of March, kids and their families were encouraged to have fun, make friends and just PLAY! Events for the whole family, all ages and levels were held throughout the section, and the Missouri Valley saw a 53 percent increase in events from the previous year. Stay tuned for more fun all summer long as well as September’s Worldwide Day of Play. Visit www.YouthTennis.com to register or attend a play event.

Section Homepage Gets Facelift The USTA Missouri Valley website has recently undergone a revamp of its homepage. The overhaul aims to streamline and better organize information to improve the user’s experience.

In the coming weeks, individual program and informational pages will be updated as well.

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Tennis on Campus Section Championships The University of Iowa Tennis Club was crowned the USTA Missouri Valley Section Champion at the Tennis on Campus section championships, held March 8-9 at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri.

ˠĸ˨ɗɩɗ˨˨ɗɊ̅ƧʭɊ̅éʏȹɗʭ˷ɗɊ̅ŷɗʭɊʼ˨ ʼɩ̅̈ʌɗ̅ťŎŘ ̅úʏ˷˷ʼ̕˨ʏ̅ŷƧʞʞɗ͆ˠ

Sixteen teams from 15 schools competed during the weekend and four -- Iowa, Mizzou, Oklahoma and Washington University -- advanced to represent the section at the Tennis on Campus National Championships.

In addition to winning the section championship, the Hawkeye captain, Nathaniel Gier, was named Leader of the Year. St. Louis University was honored as the section’s Club Team of the Year.

A male and female player were also voted as sportsmanship winners for the weekend, earning a gift card. This year’s winners were Melody Edler from Missouri S&T and Gier from Iowa.

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C ome out to the S pringfield L asers matches at C ooper T ennis C omplex for USTA M ember A ppreciation N ights S unday , J uly 6 and M onday , J uly 7! USTA members can buy one ticket and get another FREE!