Blog Posts From Inside Tennis Tagged With usta

USTA Flex Leagues: You Call the Shots

inside_tennis — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:28:12 GMT

USTA's new Flex Leagues offer fun and competitive matches for players of all levels—from beginner to advanced. You’ll get all the thrills, excitement and fun of USTA League, but on your own schedule. You play whenever it’s convenient for you—weekends, mornings, nights, even on your lunch hour!

The Flex League format groups players of similar ability together in an organized seven to ten week league that allows participants to schedule matches on their own terms. Flex Leagues can be either singles or doubles, all organized by NTRP ratings, ensuring fair and competitive matches. What makes Flex Leagues so unique is that you play your matches when it’s convenient for you, as either player can take responsibility for setting up a match in any given week. That allows players to compete at a time and a date that’s mutually convenient.

Now in its fall season, Flex Leagues had a very successful initial run. Here are what players from across the country are saying about USTA Flex Leagues:

From Miami:

"I love the program. It let's me get on some real play during my real life."

"Excellent program. I will register for the next one, too, and widely recommend Flex to my friends"

"I love the idea! If it wasn't for the Flex League I wouldn't be playing at all!"

"So far so good! I have played 3 matches, all of the people I have met have been great, and we will continue to keep in touch and arrange more matches!"

From Indianapolis:

"I think the Flex Leagues are a great idea! You leave the decisions up to the players, and no where else could you play in two different rating systems in the same league!"

"I enjoy playing in the Flex League because there is no pressure like a competitive team atmosphere. You just play for fun!"

From Chicago:

"I have greatly enjoyed the flex league and can't wait for next season!"

"Something always seems to come up with my calendar, so I love that I don't have to forfeit the match. I can just reschedule for another day and still get to play!"

"Flex Leagues are a great way to practice playing matches without any real pressure. I signed up for this league in order to get more playing in since I'm not able to commit to a certain day each week. This league has been the first time in years that I've been able to get on the court to play with people that are equally as interested in playing."

From Flagstaff, AZ:

"I live in Flagstaff, AZ, where there are precious few, if any, female singles players at my level (upper 3.5 to 4.0). I adore tennis, played for two years on our Forest Highlands USTA 3.5 league in the summers, and actually tried to play for a Scottsdale league last winter, when it’s impossible to play outdoors in Flagstaff. Being a Realtor, my schedule can go from wide open to “a client wants to see property NOW” in an instant. Playing for the Scottsdale league was stressful and no fun. Being responsible to the rest of my team, I’d have to jump in the car every Thursday afternoon no matter what else was going on, rush down I-17 for 2.5 to 3 hours to a location I wasn’t familiar with, tumble from the car and start a match as late as 7:00 PM. It was horrible, and there were times I actually cried.

"This year, as I began to resign myself to the idea that I would not be playing much over the winter, I got an email about the Valley Flex League. It was like you guys created it just for me! Wow! A 3.5 AND 4.0 women’s singles league, with no team politics to contend with! I instantly signed up and am ridiculously happy I did that. I am able to stay with friends in the Valley so I schedule as many as four matches over two day periods, and have met wonderful, friendly, marvelous female singles players who enjoy tennis as much as I do and simply want to PLAY.

"Flex league is perfect for people like me. We love tennis, truly want to play competitively, but have extenuating circumstances – job schedules or distance or both! – that keep us from being able to happily commit to a team."

Flex Leagues are expanding across the country and plan to be in your market soon. For more information on this exciting new league tennis experience, visit USTAflex.com.

USTA Flex Leagues FAQs

inside_tennis — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:13:45 GMT

USTA Flex Leagues Frequently Asked Questions

What are USTA Flex Leagues?

USTA Flex Leagues group players of similar ability together in an organized 8-week season that allows players to schedule matches on when it best fits their schedules at a convenient location. Players sign up online for singles or doubles play using the TennisLink system. Players can track standings, scout opponents, report scores and schedule their matches while online.

How long has USTA Flex Leagues been around?

The USTA launched Flex Leagues in 2008 to better serve you - tennis players who want to play more tennis but lead a busy lifestyle. However, the USTA is not new to league play. The USTA has been a leader in organized league play for nearly 3 decades offering the countries largest recreational league – USTA League presented by Chrysler.

Do I have to be a USTA Member to play?

No! While USTA Members save $10 on the sign up fee per season, you do not have to be a member to play.

What does it cost to play?

The sign up fee is $35 for singles and $30 for doubles play. USTA Members save $10 off the sign up fee for both singles and doubles. The “home” player is required to supply the balls and arrange and pay if necessary for the court time.

I work in the city but live in the burbs. Where should I play my matches?

We’re flexible. You make the call. When you sign up you will have to select a zip code, city or metro area of where you would like to play. This will help us build our flights and be able to minimize the travel time to and from matches for you and your opponents.

What format of play is used?

Play either singles or doubles. Each match is best of three sets with a twelve point tiebreak at six all or a 10 point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.

What levels of play are offered in my area?

All flights are based on the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) so you know you will be playing against players of a similar ability level. Play may range from 2.5 – 5.0 NTRP level. So whether you are starting up, getting back in the swing of things or a seasoned veteran there is a flight for you. NTRP Guidelines

I want to play doubles but don’t have a partner. Can you find me a partner?

Yes. The local tennis organizer will match you up with a partner once you have signed up for the league.

Download Wimbledon 2008

inside_tennis — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:44:53 GMT

In case you missed what is already being labeled as the best Wimbledon finale in tennis history, you're in luck. Wimbledon.org has a nice (free) byproduct of their live video coverage this year. It's a large number of the matches available for download and later viewing. In the case of the Nadal/Federer final, the match is broken up into three 600-MB downloads, so clear up some disk space first.

Find and download your match here:

http://wimbledon.mediazone.com/US/mens_singles.html

http://wimbledon.mediazone.com/US/ladies_singles.html

Thank you, Wimbledon!

7 Ways to Catch Wimbledon

inside_tennis — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:16:00 GMT

For those not fortunate enough to get the Tennis Channel, Wimbledon is the one time throughout the year that American audiences are able to gorge on great tennis coverage. Rarely do we get live early rounds, outer-court coverage and quality tennis coverage the game and the fans deserve.

From daily 10-hour streams on ESPN and ESPN2 to early rounds and quarterfinals on NBC, get ready to feast on the event from start to finish. Additionally, there are a number of non-traditional new medias that are helping to fill in the gaps. Careful, though, come July 6 this bountiful buffet will quickly return to the tennis famine we have sadly grown accustom to...

ESPN/NBC

Here's the 2008 Wimbledon TV Schedule including live, taped and video on demand schedules. Get ready to clear your calendars.

Radio Wimbledon

The official radio station of Wimbledon since 1992, Radio Wimbledon provides extensive commentaries for matches using a team of reporters around the grounds. You have to be within a 5-mile radius to catch the broadcast on your radio, but thanks to the Internet, you can catch the stream from your home office.

Wimbledon Live

Wimbledon LIVE is the official online video service for Wimbledon 2008. You can subscribe to get live and on demand video from up to eight courts including Centre Court and No.1 Court, previews, highlights, interviews and classic archive footage.

Slam Tracker

This is the IBM-driven Wimbledon score tracker. Flashy and addictive, makes a great compliment to Radio Wimbledon. Select "Live Scores" from drop-down menu and allow pop-up.

Live scores

Similar to Slam Tracker, more like Web 1.0.

ATP Videos

ATP's official site has re-launched in conjunction with their Feel the Power ad campaign. This video page offers some nice highlights and player interviews.

Get the Tennis Channel

Even though the Tennis Channel has to bow to the big boys during Wimbledon, it still offers some great highlights and taped matches from the bigger matches throughout the day. Otherwise, it offers a tennis fix 24 hours a day.

7 Tips for Playing on Clay

inside_tennis — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:37:10 GMT

Clay is dirty, unpredictable and can leave you face down in the dust. In short, some of the best tennis out there.

The slower court, increased rallies and wide varity of shots require your game to be at its best. To help you adjust to the nuances of clay, here are seven strategies for perfecting your slide game.

Build Your Endurance

Although clay is a lower-impact game, the long rallies mean you must be in top condition. Your endurance will be tested in the longer matches mixed with intermittent short bursts of speed where balance, flexibility and composure are vital for economy of shot.

Diversify Your Portfolio

Playing on clay gives you a chance to use every shot in your repertoire. Cross-courts, drops, slices and topspin groundstrokes are essentials. And ball placement is crucial. If your arsenal doesn't contain these gems it's time to practice up, especially with drills that involve at least six shots.

All About the Angle

The serve and volley associated with hardcourt games is tough to reproduce on clay. Your best tactic is to drill cross-court shots and keep your opponent moving. You may have to hit a number of shots before you get the right chance to win the point. Eventually you will find yourself with a wide-open court where the wins is just a tap away.

The Slide

Although sliding into a shot isn't essential, it sure looks good. Sliding on clay takes a little getting used to at first, but is an effective way to slow momentum and prepare you for the return. Try sliding on a smooth surface at home wearing socks. Notice how the pros do it using the toe of their back foot to assist the stop and aid in the transition.

The Toughest Virtue: Patience

The slowness of clay refers not only to the slower speed of the bounce, but also the increased time involved in winning the set. Although down-the-line wins may come easy at first, once you tire you'll find your unforced errors increasing or your return dropping in speed. Instead of relying on your hardcourt strategy, stick to the cross-court game plan and wait for your winner opening.

Hit Behind Your Opponent

Clay is a slippery surface to play on and makes it difficult to change direction quickly. A good strategy when playing on clay is to aim your shots behind your opponent in hopes that they won't have the time or agility to change direction and return. The downside: Be ready for your opponent to do the same thing me to you.

Head South

If you can't go to Spain and hit with the best, find a clay court in your area and practice as much as you can. Dig into it, slide around, get dirty. It's not very often you get to play in dirt, so make the most of it.

Weekend with Vic Braden At Circle C Tennis Club

inside_tennis — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:20:20 GMT

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The "Circle C Spinners." That was the nickname Vic Braden gave to the group attending his clinic on Saturday because of the common errors with their swings.

Long-time tennis coach Vic Braden was the special guest of General Manager and top teaching professional Fernando Velasco at the Circle C Tennis Club in Austin, Texas. This unique opportunity provided those in attendance at the weekend clinic insight into improving their game. The format was simple: three forehands, three backhands and three serves while Vic videotaped you from behind the baseline. Then the group would retreat into the clubhouse to watch the tape and discuss the errors Vic found in their swings.

It's one thing to look for errors in real time, but when the tape is slowed to 1/32nd the problems become glaring. Vic's solution to the Circle C Spinners' common problem was simple: start low and end high. Most of the players were bringing their rackets back way above their knees and ending with a short follow through, causing them to rotate on their flat feet. Vic's suggestion: bring the racket back below the knees, stay on your toes, follow through and end high. It's that simple.

An afternoon with Vic and Fernando was enough to take the games of those who attended ever so much higher on the NTRP scale.

Check out the photos from the event:

If you haven't attended a Vic Braden clinic, you need to check it out. His humor and insight was a great benefit to all. And Fernando's hospitality and added critique made the event a truly special experience.

Vic Braden is a sports science researcher and licensed psychologist who has helped countless individuals realize their full potential in tennis as well as their professional lives. Most noted for his unique ability to produce amazing results in short periods of time, Vic has had a hand in nearly every facet of the game of tennis and has made immeasurable contributions to sports instruction as a whole. After many wonderful years in Coto de Caza, Vic has established the Vic Braden Tennis Colleges at premier resorts across the country. He is considered by many to be the best tennis coach in the world.

USPTA Master Tennis Professional Fernando Velasco is the General Manager and Director of Tennis of Circle C Tennis Club in Austin, Texas. Fernando is considered one of the top teaching professionals and managers in the country having been selected as “National Pro of the Year” by the USPTA and “International Pro of the Year” by the PTR. He is a sought-out speaker at National and International Tennis Professionals Conventions. He is ranked in the National USPTA, PTR, and National USTA and Texas.

Help Celebrate Tennis Month with a USTA Block Party

inside_tennis — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:10:42 GMT

USTA Tennis Block Party

For Active.com

All throughout the month of May the USTA is serving up tennis in a fun, exciting,
and dynamic way through a series of “Tennis Block Parties” to help
celebrate National Tennis Month.

Tennis Block Parties are series of grassroots events designed to highlight
the game of tennis in a fun and interactive way. Hosted at public parks facilities,
Tennis Block Parties are causin’ a racquet in your town—featuring
three hours of tennis instruction, interactive games, and attractions that offer
people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds the opportunity to learn and
enjoy the benefits of the tennis.

So, if you’re lookin’ to get into the game, have some fun, compete,
or just work on your fitness, grab your family and friends and head out to the
USTA Block Party that’s hittin’ your town!

Block Parties by state:

AZ 5/4/08 Chandler Chandler Tennis Center

AZ 5/17/08 Flagstaff Flagstaff Athletic Club Mulitplex

AZ 5/24/08 Phoenix Phoenix Tennis Center

AZ 5/31/08 Prescott Prescott Racquet Club

CA 5/4/08 San Diego Balboa Tennis Club

CA 5/10/08 Upland City of Fontana - San Sevaine Park

CA 5/17/08 Riverside Riverside Community College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue

CA 5/17/08 Los Angeles Griffith Park - Riverside Courts

CA 5/18/08 Santa Monica Reed Park, 7th & Wilshire

CA 5/18/08 Valencia Summit Park

CO 5/10/08 Fort Collins Northside Aztlan Center / Lee Martinez Park

CO 5/17/08 Fraser Fraser Town Courts

CO 5/17/08 Arvada Arvada Tennis Center

CO 5/17/08 Denver Washington Park & City Park

CO 5/17/08 Denver City Park

CO 5/17/08 Castle Rock Castle View High School

CO 5/31/08 Boulder CO Boulder South Tennis Courts

CT 5/3/08 Stamford Scalzi Park

CT 5/31/08 Branford East Shore Park

DE 5/14/08 Dover Dover Park

DE 5/15/08 Middletown Middletown High School

DE 5/16/08 Wilmington Rodney Street Park in the Street - 11th and Market Streets

FL 5/2/08 Cape Coral Rutenberg Community Park

FL 5/3/08 Pompano Beach Lee High School

FL 5/4/08 Melbourne Kiwi Tennis Club

FL 5/10/08 Clearwater Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex

FL 5/10/08 Tampa Hillsborough Community College (Tennis Complex)

FL 5/23/08 Melbourne Fee Ave. and Desoto Parks

GA 1/12/08 St. Marys Camden County High School

GA 3/8/08 Cartersville Dellinger Park Tennis Center

GA 5/2/08 Macon Downtown Square

GA 5/10/08 Savannah Daffin Park , Leisure Services of Savannah

GA 5/27/08 Scottsdale Glenlake Tennis Center

GA 6/7/08 Albany Albany

HI 5/3/08 Honolulu Central Oahu Regional Park

HI 5/16/08 Honolulu Honolulu Hate - State Capitol

HI 5/31/08 Lihue Kauai Community College

ID 5/10/08 Idaho Falls Several parks, schools, and private courts through out
the city

ID 5/11/08 Boise Julia Davis Park

ID 5/17/08 Twin Falls Twin Falls High School courts

ID 5/24/08 McCall McCall Donnellly High School Tennis Courts

ID 6/14/08 Ketchum Atkinson Park Tennis Courts

IL 5/17/08 Springfield Washington Park Tennis Center

IL 5/17/08 Pekin Parkside Athletics

IL 5/17/08 Moline Quad City Tennis Club

IL 5/18/08 McHenry Knox Park Tennis Courts

IL 6/19/08 Decatur Fairview Tennis Complex

IN 5/17/08 Munster Community Park Tennis courts

IN 5/31/08 Chersterton Sand Creek Country Club

IN 6/1/08 Indianapolis Barbara S.Wynne Tennis Center (1805 E. 86th st)

IO 6/14/08 Davenport Central High School

KN 4/19/08 Auburn Kossover Tennis Center

KS 5/3/08 Lawrence Lawrence Tennis Center

KS 5/10/08 Wichita Lynette Woodard Community Center

KY 5/2/08 Hopkinsville Ruff Park

KY 5/28/08 Mayfield Scott Thompson Tennis Center

KY 5/18/08 Corbin Corbin High School Tennis Courts

KY 5/17/08 Pikeville Bob Amos Park

KY 5/17/08 Lexington Lexington Tennis Club

KY 5/18/08 Ashland Ashland Tennis Center

KY 5/27/08 Frankfort Franklin County High School

KY 5/24/08 Louisville Jefferson County Public Park

MA 6/28/08 Marshfield Marshfield High Tennis Courts

MA 5/24/08 Springfield Tennis Courts in Forest Park

MA 5/31/08 Williamstown MCLA-Joseph Zavatarro Athletic Complex

MI 5/17/08 Detroit Peterson Park

MI 5/17/08 Spring Lake Norton Pines Athletic Club

MN 5/3/08 Grand Marais Cook County High School Tennis Courts

MN 5/10/08 Rosemount High School Tennis Courts

MN 5/17/08 Maple Grove Maple Grove Senior High School

MN 5/17/08 Fridley Moor Lake Lifetime Fitness

MN 5/17/08 Apple Valley Eastview High School

MN 5/17/08 Crookston Crookston High School Tennis Courts (8 Courts)

MN 5/17/08 St. Louis Park Aquila Park

MN 5/18/08 Shakopee Stans Park - Shakopee Jr. High

MN 5/31/08 Inver Grove Heights Simley High School Tennis Courts

MN 6/7/08 Mendota Heights Mendakota Park

MN 6/7/08 Saint James High School Tennis Courts

MN 6/12/08 Apple Valley Harding High School

MN 6/19/08 Rochester Soldier Field Tennis Courts (lighted)

MO 5/3/08 Rolla Ber Juan Tennis Complex

MO 5/3/08 Independence Mill Creek Park (1717 North River Blvd)

MO 5/24/08 Kansas City Barry Park - Park Hill High School

MT 5/4/08 Helena Civic Center Courts (back up LCTA Tennis Center)

MT 8/13/08 Anaconda Washoe Park

NC 5/3/08 Greensboro Hester Park

NC 5/17/08 Asheville Aston Park Tennis Center

ND 5/4/08 Bismarck Capital Racquet & Fitness Center

ND 5/7/08 Valley City City Park Tennis Courts

ND 5/13/08 Minot Hammond Park

ND 5/14/08 Grand Forks Register Tennis Complex or Center Court Fitness Club

ND 6/1/08 Grafton Westview or Leistikow Tennis Courts

ND 5/29/08 Jamestown Bolinger

NE 5/28/08 Omaha Gifford Park

NJ 5/3/08 Toms River Bey Lea Tennis Complex

NJ 5/4/08 Waretown Waretown Recreation Area

NJ 5/9/08 Newark Newark Bears Baseball Stadium

NJ 5/17/08 Williamstown St. Matthew’s Baptist Church

NJ 5/26/08 Toms River Ocean Tennis Center

NJ 5/31/08 Egg Harbor Township Tony Cangle Park

NJ 6/14/08 Pemberton Mirror Lake Tennis Courts

NY 5/5/08 Binghamton Binghamton Tennis Center

NY 5/10/08 New York Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

NY 5/17/08 Albany Albany Tennis Club

NY 5/17/08 Garden City Community Park Tennis Courts

NY 5/21/08 New Rochelle Albert Leonard Middle School

NY 5/24/08 Buffalo Riverside Park

OH 5/17/08 Cincinnati Triangle Tennis Courts (Reading Road & Wm.Howard Road)

OH 5/18/08 Sandusky Perkins Community Tennis Courts/Baywinds Athletic Club

OH 5/29/08 Groveport Groveport High School Tennis courts

OK 5/17/08 Edmond Kickingbird Tennis Center

OR 5/17/08 Grants Pass Gilbert Greek Parks - Grants Pass

OR 6/10/08 Hillsboro Hillsboro Tuesday Marketplace (civic center)

PA 5/3/08 Pittsburgh East Liberty Fire Station

PA 5/3/08 Lansdale Frog Hollow Racquet Club

PA 5/4/08 Philadelphia Seger Playground Tennis Courts, 10th & Lombard, Phil.

PA 5/10/08 Philadelphia Friends of Chamounix Tennis Courts (500 Chamounix Drive)

PA 5/10/08 Lancaster Lancaster Tennis & Yacht Club

PA 5/10/08 Norristown Eisenhower Middle School Tennis Courts

PA 5/11/08 Orwigsburg Pottsville JFK Tennis Courts

PA 5/17/08 Allentown Oakmont Tennis Club

PA 5/17/08 Erie Frontier Park

PA 5/17/08 Reading City Park Tennis Courts

PA 5/17/08 Landisville Hempfield Sports Complex - New Stadium Tennis Courts

PA 5/17/08 Worcester Variety Club Camp & Developmental Center

PA 5/17/08 Norristown Norristown High School

PA 5/17/08 Hanover South Western Tri-Township Park

PA 5/18/08 Jenkintown Alverthorpe Park

PA 5/24/08 Pottstown Pottstown High School Tennis Courts

PA 5/24/08 Bryn Mawr Llanerch Country Club

PA 5/28/08 Philadelphia Phila. City Courts, 47th and Spruce Streets

PA 5/31/08 Pittsburgh Frick Park Red Clay Tennis Courts

PA 6/14/08 Collegeville Perkiomen Valley High School

PA 5/?/2008 Philadelphia Philadelphia Tennis Club or Althea Gibson Center

PR 5/3/08 San Juan San Juan Mariott

PR 5/3/08 Arecibo Tennis Everyone

PR 5/3/08 Guaynabo Sagrado Corazon

PR 5/3/08 Dorado Paseos Del Mar

PR 5/4/08 Manati Acropolis de Manati

PR 5/10/08 Dorado Caminos del Mar Tennis Club

PR 5/17/08 Gurabo Urb. Veredas Tennis Club

PR 5/17/08 Trujillo Alto Centro de Tenis Honda

PR 5/17/08 Juana Diaz Complejo Municipal de Juana Diaz

PR 5/17/08 Bayamon Ocean Park Tennis Club

PR 5/17/08 Ponce Ponce Hilton

PR 5/24/08 Aibonito Aibonito Tennis Club

PR 5/24/08 Ponce Albergue Olimpico Salinas

PR 5/24/08 Beyamón Complejo Deportivo Carcaño Alicea

PR 5/31/08 Aibonito Complejo Deportivo de Barranquitas

PR 5/31/08 Beyamón Rio Ondo / Valle Verde Tennis Club

PR 5/31/08 Ponce Club Deportivo de Ponce

S.C 5/ ? / 2008 N.Myrtle Beach Central Park

SC 5/17/08 Florence Timrod Park

SD 5/10/08 Sioux Falls McKennan Park

TN 5/1/08 Crossville Fairfield Glade Community Club

TN 5/3/08 Talbott Frank Lorino Park

TN 5/3/08 Chattanooga Hamilton Family YMCA Tennis Center

TN 5/3/08 Lebanon Mt. Juliet/Charlie Daniel’s Park

TN 5/10/08 Knoxville Tyson Family Tennis Center / Tyson Park

TN 5/13/08 Kingsport Liberty Bell Tennis Courts

TN 5/17/08 Franklin Centennial High School

TN 5/17/08 Clarksville Swan Lake Tennis Complex

TN 5/23/08 Nashville Nashboro Village Athletic Club

TN 5/24/08 Chattanooga Warner Park Tennis Courts

TX 4/12/08 Denton Warranch Tennis Center

TX 5/3/08 Houston Lee LeClear o r Memorial Park

TX 5/4/08 Keller Keller High School courts on Johnson Avenue

TX 5/5/08 Granbury Pecan Plantation CC

TX 5/8/08 Midland Midland High School Tennis Courts

TX 5/15/08 Pecos Pecos High School Tennis Courts

TX 5/17/08 Midlothian Midlothian Sports Complex

TX 5/17/08 Shallowater Shallowater High School

TX 5/18/08 Midland Perimian High School

TX 5/18/08 Weatherford Soldier Spring Tennis Center

TX 5/19/08 Lubbock Lakeridge Country Club

TX 5/31/08 Borger Borger High School Tennis Courts

TX 7/3/08 Midlothian Midlothian Sports Complex

TX 8/9/08 Arlington Arlington Tennis Center

UT 5/2/08 North Salt Lake Eagleridge Tennis Club

UT 5/10/08 Roy Roy High School Tennis Courts

UT 5/10/2008 West Valley Cenntenial Park

UT 5/17/2008 Ogden Mt. Ogden Park

UT 5/31/08 Clearfield Weber State University

VT 5/17/08 Jeffersonville Johnson State College/Windridge Sports Center

WI 4/25/08 Washburn Public Courts

WI 5/17/08 Brookfield Heyer Park

WI 5/17/08 Sussex Sussex Hamilton High School

WI 5/17/08 Neenah Southview Park, 200 W. Bell Street

WI 5/18/08 West Bend West Bend High Schools

WI 5/18/08 Eau Claire Altoona, WI 10th Street Courts

WI 5/18/08 Menomonie Menomonie High School Tennis Courts

WI 5/18/08 Oshkosh Oshkosh YMCA Tennis Center

WI 5/27/08 Watertown Brandt Park

WI 6/7/08 Oconomowoc Fowler Park

WV 5/17/08 Wheeling Oglebay Park

Texas A&M Tennis Club: Campus Champions

inside_tennis — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:31:22 GMT

With the Texas A&M Tennis Club looking to become a six-time winner of the college club tennis Campus Championship, we caught up with Tennis Club President David Hoover to get his take on the secrets behind the club's success, thoughts on the Tennis on Campus program and the difference between club and varsity tennis.

Can you give me a little back story on the history of the A&M Tennis Club?

Our club was founded in 1992, and our practice times are still the same as then. Our dues are $40 for the year.. one of the cheapest in the country. I have heard dues ranging up to $320 per year, which is kinda ridiculous.

Your club is a five-time Campus Champion. What's your secret to success?

We keep practices fun and social, players get to know each other really well. Each year, it really turns into one big group of friends that hang out on and off the court. That keeps people coming back.

Also, we do a pretty good job of mixing experienced players with the new guys. Whether it's for nationals or just normal club stuff, we do a pretty good job of passing along information and guidance from the veterans so that, as years go on, the fun and success continues. At nationals, rarely do the younguns play a key role, but they're there and gain some experience and see how things are done. When it's their turn a year or two down the road, they're ready.

We've been lucky to have some pretty great officers that are committed to club and make it great for everyone else. It's hard work, but our club appreciates it.

Can you give me a profile of one of the players in your club?

Matt Sumrall: president 04-06, on the nationals team for the 5th time this year, volunteer asst. coach for women's varsity team.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of the Tennis on Campus program? How has it helped your leadership/organization skills?

The ToC program is great! Tennis clubs existed before, but everything was much less organized and left entirely up to college students to organize and run. ToC has really helped grow club tennis across the country, made it easier to start a new club and keep an old one going, and provided us with a great, organized tournament schedule.

How do you like the WTT format?

We love WTT. This co-ed format keeps both the guys and the girls coming back.

How do you rate club tennis vs. intramural? How about vs. college varsity?

Our tennis intramurals are tournament brackets with a round played once a week. While they are competitive with us in numbers, there is no social aspect at all. Intramural players just show up, play and leave.

A few of our players in the club have played varsity tennis somewhere, and lots more could have played somewhere but just decided instead to go to TAMU and focus on school. Unlike varsity teams, our club has no meetings, no required practices and definitely no conditioning. All the fun without nearly the time commitment!

Have you ever played your school's varsity team?

Two years ago, the women's varsity team used some of our best players as practice partners. The club has always been very supportive of the varsity tennis programs; we always have a good number out there cheering for the Aggies at home matches. The varsity coaches and players have been very supportive of the club over the years as well, often lending us the use of our varsity tennis courts and even coming to support us at some of our home matches!

Congratulations on your recent win over the Longhorns. How do you feel going into the Campus Championships later this month?

UT has always been a great rival for our tennis club and matches don't get much closer than our final at the Texas Sectionals! The Campus Championships are getting bigger and tougher each year so I'm sure there will be several great teams this year, but A&M is ready to go and give it our all!

Public Parks Championships: Interview with Ken McAllister

inside_tennis — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:34:58 GMT

With the upcoming 82nd Annual National Public Parks Tennis Championship, Inside Tennis spoke with USTA Texas Regional Executive Director Ken McAllister on the importance of tennis in public parks, the growth of the game and what it means be a part of this 82-year-old grass roots tradition in tennis.

Can you give me a little back story on the history of tennis in public parks? The first National Public Park Tennis Championships were held in St. Louis in 1923 at what is now the Dwight Davis Tennis Center, named after the founder of the Davis Cup and President of the USNLTA, who was from St. Louis. It was sponsored by the USTA, then called the United States National Lawn Tennis Association. It was men only until 1930, when a women's draw was introduced. For many years, the winners of those draws were automatically invited to play in the US Nationals until it became the US Open in 1968. In 1948, when the NPPTC was hosted in Los Angeles, junior draws were introduced. The first African American to win was in that same year and was the well-known Oscar Johnson, later recognized by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Age division events were added in 1959. Up until sometime in the 1990's, players qualified to play in the national event by winning their local events played at public parks. We are currently being assisted by Active.com to revive that tradition while keeping the event open to all who wish to play.

How does it feel to be part of such an historic event as the Public Parks National Championship? As a player who grew up playing only on public courts, it presents a good feeling of being part of a larger and historic picture of tennis for the average Joe. Of course, the truth that many of the greatest players - Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, etc. - also grew up on public courts adds to the credibility.

Can you capture in words the experience of being at the Championship? What is the atmosphere like? The atmosphere is more down home than dramatic. Although there are many nationally ranked players entered, all of us are in a public park setting, and it is frankly very relaxing.

What role do public parks play for young tennis players looking to learn the sport? Although affordability and open access are two obvious pluses for youngsters learning at public centers, the mix of skill levels, backgrounds, and athletes allow for an atmosphere of growth. The key here is whether the parks will hire professionals to bring in the programming and teachers such as our last venue, the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in Fort Lauderdale, does. When that happens, the opportunity is greater than it is in the private sector.

What do public parks represent to the growth of tennis? The mere statistical fact that 80% of all tennis is played on public facilities points to the obvious decisions that all of us in the industry should focus efforts where the players are. Although our mindset is that this is the bastion of recreational tennis, we can't forget that this is where the great Australian players of the 50's and 60's were discovered. This is where the athletes, currently being skimmed away by soccer, baseball, or football, can also have a shot at trying tennis. I predict that Quick Start Tennis will find its home in public parks and school courts.

What kind of diversity among players does the Championship feature? This may be the greatest feature of the NPPTC. This is where the great players and contributors from the American Tennis Association (the black national tennis organization) came from. I suspect that the NPPTC has the greatest racial diversity of all national tournaments. This is not because other events are closed, but it is because of the very nature that folks using the public venues better reflect the color of America. We have also advocated for offering wheelchair tennis events when possible as these events are most often offered at public tennis facilities.

The number of unique entries into the event is growing. Care to guesstimate the reason for this? #1 - tennis itself is on a general surge throughout the country. We are the fastest growing traditional sport in the US over the past 5 years. Secondly, our Board has been working more closely with Tennis in the Parks, the USTA, and the Sections to get the publicity out over the past few years. Thirdly, it did not hurt to have the National Tennis Center host the event in 2006, which spotlighted the NPPTC to many who had not heard of it.