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the magazine for men and women tennis-teaching profi
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Stretch Your Limits Introducing Wilson's Stretch Technology.Thanks to an extra I' to I li" in length, new Stretch racquets give you a better angle on serves, 8% greater reach and 10% more power So you can hit better shots more often.
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CONTENTS
***
the total professional enhancing your career 6 Ask the professor - Fast-food options can be healthy by Jack Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA — Learn what to eat and what to avoid when eating on the run.
La Quinta Resort & Club is the site for the 1996 USPTA National Convention.
7 The Master Pro's corner - A goal-setting approach for professionals by Jim Annesi, Ph.D., USPTA — How pros prioritize time, direct attention and instruct pupils should be based on goals developed for the maximum benefit of each student. O President's message
20 Creating tension-free players by Kami Zelikovicb, USPTA — Understand tension to teach students how to relax.
T Letters
1996 National Convention 8 8 9 9 11 13 14
J
Plan early for 1996 National Convention National Convention registration form Deadline approaching for USPTA awards Hotel reservation form Players compete for $35,000 in priie money National Championships registration form National Team Championships registration form
Zd
CEO's message Continuing education countdown 96
ZO Little Tennis talk ZO Notes from the internet
news SM
16 USPTA Adult Tennis League attracts players and fills courts 27 Tencap rates the pros 32 Pro Penn Quarterly Discount
special section USPTA Adult Tennis League program guide — This special pullout section contains information about league rules and regulations, registration, formats and publicity for implementing the league at your facility. The USPTA Adult Tennis League is a great way to increase membership involvement and player camaraderie.
Z/
Industry action
0 I
Classifieds
On the cover The stadium court at La Quinta Resort & Club.
•ISSUE 6 f^alitage™ ADDvanfage magazine editorial offices One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042 Phone Fax e-mail
Editor Assistant editor
Shawna Riley Julie Myers
Circulation
Kathy Buchanan
Advertising
John Tamborello
Office hours: 8:30
a.m.
5 p.m. Central time
(713)978-7782 (713)978-7780 magazine@uspta.org
/ADDvanfage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
The opinions expressed in ADDvanfage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvanfage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1996. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from the publisher.
ADDvontage/Junel996
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
What's our purpose?
The Voice of fhe Tennis Teaching Profession
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
W
e held our Executive Committee meeting at the end of April (with two delegates from each of our 17 divisions in attendance) and we're gearing up for our long-range planning meeting at the end of this month. We're going full blast into master planning and setting our course for the future.
At the top of the list is our initiative in certification and education. Internally and externally, it describes us. It's the first part of our mission statement or "purpose" of USPTA, and always a top priority in long-range planning. Our purpose is to raise the standards of the tennis profession and promote the sport.
planning meeting will be devoted to a master plan for rolling out a refined certification and education program a program that is inclusive of all levels and aspirations of tennis professionals with clearly defined paths for achievement. It's the follow-through to our existing continuing education program. This task will take multidisciplmary input from all of our resources in education, certification, marketing, public relations and budget committees.
President
Kathy Woods
First Vice President
Kurt Kamperman
Vice Presidents
Will Hoag Joseph Thompson Jim Davis Dave Porter
SecretaryTreasurer
Mark McMahon
Past President WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO
Tim Heckler
Director of Operations
Rich Fanning
Executive Assistant
Marty Bostrom
Director of Communications Communications
Kathy
Promoting the sport is not unique to USPTA. Every industry partner has made this part of its mission, too. But you, the USPTA professional, have direct control over this. Every day on every tennis court, it's your goal. We know that. You control it. We, as an association, can influence it, with attention to programs that make sense for you and lead you to take advantage of national financial muscle and advertising. This purpose is easy to clarify and justify.
I know we'll be working on this project for several years in different phases. I'm excited about it because it really deWoods fines us. And we can control all the variables in setting these standards that's the easy part. The challenge lies in careful planning of time and money — integral components of any worthwhile endeavor.
Our is to the
Raising the standards is the first component of USPTA's purpose. Every industry needs a standard of measurement to motivate professionals in the field and interpret achievement to employers. Much of this year's long-range
the
In the meantime, while the staff in Houston carries out the long-range and short-range priorities set by the Board of Directors, and the board prioritizes the action items provided by the Executive Committee, and the Executive Committee predicts your needs, you should continue to focus on the obvious objective that each of you controls more people hitting tennis balls more often. You have the control and influence in this department.
It's unanimous within the industry that teaching professionals have the power of promotion. That's your purpose.
Shawna Riley Courtenay Dreves
Business Operations
John Tamborello
Magazine Coordinator National Marketing Coordinator
Julie Myers Karen Unger
Sports Marketing Coordinator
Sharon Jasmer
Marketing Assistant
David Rudzinski
Public Relations Coordinator
Dan Soine
Corporate Services Manager
Christl Call
Corporate Secretary
Kathy Edgmon
Receptionist
Arju Hussain
Computer Services Kathy Buchanan and Club Relations Director of Education Kirk Anderson Education Coordinator
Susan Thompson
National Divisional Administrator Membership/ Education
Kelly Dolan Vicky Tristan
Membership/ Education Assistant Financial Manager Controller
Laura Allen Renee Heckler
Theresa Weatherford
Insurance/ Ellen Schmidt Merchandise Services Director George Bacso of Certification and Academies LEGAL COUNSEL Attorney-at-law
Paul Waldman
For information/ write the World Headquarters USPTA One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042 Phone(713)97-USPTA Fax (713) 978-7780 e-mail uspta@uspta.org Internet— www.uspta.org Office hours: 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m. Central time
ADDvantage/Junel996 3
•!^r
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4 ADDvantage/June 1996
Dear USPTA: I e-mailed a few questions to USPTA on Monday, and by Tuesday I was provided with a totally concise and detailed answer to all of my inquiries. It is rare to see such service anywhere. I just wanted to send one more message to thank you for your rapid response. Keep up the good work. Scott Alexander, USPTA Fort Bragg, Calif via e-mail Dear USPTA. This letter was prompted by Tennis Today" in the March issue of Sportstyle. What's wrong with tennis? Why are people turned off to tennis? Why do we lose prospective new players to other sports? One of the main reasons is the industry itself. Nobody wants to take the blame in an industry looking at the bottom line. What is lacking is educating those who should be in the know — those who sell and string racquets and those who teach. They should know what to do after the racquet leaves the manufacturer. The ads tout the miracles of modern technology and what it can do for your game. But what they don't tell you is how this can be achieved — by matching the player to the frame and the string. We lose the potential player to another sport if this is not achieved. We can get them onto the court, but we must put the right equipment in their hands. For example, I watched a local pro giving a tennis lesson. When the student hit the ball, the resonance wasn't right, there was no depth to the shot and it lacked direction. After the lesson, the student told me that she had owned the racquet four to five years and it had never been restrung. The string had lost its resiliency, elasticity and elongation. This person's game will stagnate because of lack of direction from her pro and her lack of knowledge as to why she should restnng.
Not enough is being done in our industry to educate its professionals. PGA professionals don t get their cards if they can't repair and rework a golf club. One highly placed executive told me, "It's the stringer s job to educate the public. We sell the product." What a myopic approach. I've strung at the U.S. Open and other tournaments and spoken to ATP pros. They know what they like, but a majority don't know why. How many club players give their string order to a salesperson or desk clerk at the club where they play? What about the person who comes on court for a lesson with a 10-year-old hand-medown? There is a racquet company out there that prestrings its demos in Asia three to six months before they are used. By the time it gets into a player s hands, the string is practically dead. I was told by their research and development department that my complaint was the' only one ever received. (Not according to my conversations with other shop owners at The Super Show.) My feeling, from experience and what I've seen, is that the industry sells string, but many people can't tell you about the interaction of that string with a racquet. There s a company selling string because they have to. They pass on what the manufacturer tells them to without the foggiest notion about what they are saying. The USTA and TIA may get new players onto the court, but it's our job to keep them there through a strong educational program. Terry H. Daniels, USPTA Staten Island, N Y. Editor's note: USPTA offers the tennis industry's most comprehensive continuing education program for teaching professionals. The program includes 300 days of education each year, including courses on stringing, merchandising, business management, programming, teaching strategies and much more.
CEO'SMESSAGE
Hall of fame opening a tribute to world's teaching professionals and Tooley's vision to honor his profession
T
he United States Professional Tennis Association realized a long-standing dream on April 20, with the opening of the USPTA International Tennis Professional Hall of Fame. President Kathy Woods and 1994 hall of fame inductee George Bacso cut the gold ribbon that opened the hall of fame and archives during a semi-annual Executive Committee meeting at USPTA World Headquarters in Houston. The Board of Directors, Executive Committee, divisional executive administrators and USPTA staff were on hand for the dedication. The occasion also allowed us to remember one of our own who dreamed of a special place of honor for his peers and the archives that chronicle the history of our great Association. Fay Tooley, who died in 1992, donated $5,000 to urge our directors to take this project as seriously as he dreamed it should be. His contribution was instrumental in beginning what will be the ongoing task of both honoring the achievements of tennis-teaching professionals throughout the world and recording and displaying the artifacts and historical documents of the teaching profession. It wasn t until we purchased a permanent home for USPTA that we could begin the process of establishing an appropriate place for the USPTA International Tennis Professional Hall of Fame. This new domain for the tennis-teaching profession is yet another way to legitimize the role of teaching professionals in our industry, while creating a home in which to recognize and honor our peers. As Fay once said, "As in the case of all legitimate professions, it is an historical fact that for a variety of reasons people commonly attracted to a single calling band together for their mutual benefit." As the world's oldest, largest and most credible body of teaching professionals, it was our duty to create a place of distinction for the exceptional people who have earned a place on the walls of USPTA's Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame inductees George Bacso and Arthur Ashe are the focal points of the new area. Their pho-
tographs and inductee plaques are displayed in the center of the "wall of honor." Other hall of fame categories include the Alex Gordon Award for USPTA National Professional of the Year, USPTA National Champion, Coach of the Year, High School Coach of the Year, Touring Coach of the Year, Division of the Year, Master Professional, USTA/USPTA Community Service Awards and Player of the Year (male and female open and various age categories) Other awards that will be displayed in the future include a meritorious induction category for members who exceed normal standards in a combination of three areas service to the profession, teaching merit and playing merit. Some of the famous names of yesteryear that grace the National ChamHeckler pions wall include Vmce Richards, 1927- Bill Tilden, 193 I Fred Perry, 1938; Ellsworth Vines, 1939' Don Budge, 1940; Bruce Barnes, 1943 Welby Van Horn, 1945 Bobby Riggs, 1946; Jack Kramer, 1948; Pancho Segura, 1950; Tut Bartzen, 1962, Sam Giammalva, 1964; and Mike Davis, 1965 Another wall is dedicated to past national presidents of USPTA and includes a display of photos for each president dating back to 1927 The next addition to the hall of fame will be glass cases that will house special memorabilia, business records and other materials that document USPTA's 69-year history. The USPTA International Tennis Professional Hall of Fame is a special place that will grow more valuable with time and the outstanding accomplishments of our peers. We would also appreciate any information that will add to the historical authenticity of our commitment to this continual process. I have no doubt that Fay Tooley would be very proud of USPTA's most recent accomplishment — its ability to recognize and suitably honor its own members and those who uphold the standards USPTA has established. Most of all, he would be proud that this remarkable place has established an incentive and ability for each member to serve the industry, their peers and themselves. SP°
This new domain for the tennis-
teaching profession ts yet another way to legitimize the role of teaching professionals in our industry^ while creating a home in which to recognise and honor OUT peers
ADDvantage/June 1996 5
i8K THE PROFE88OR
JACK GROPPEL.PH.D.
Fast-food options can be healthy • When I take my players to tournaments, we always seem to be eating on the run. I know I can pack lunches and snacks, but what are your recommendations when you absolutely, positively have to eat at a fast-food restaurant?
This is an age-old quesIhat has bothered parents and coaches for years. First, let me say that the concept of eating fast does not fit into the normal regimen I recommend, but I recogV > H* mze there are times you must live this ; s lifestyle. Since there's no way around it, here are my suggestions on the quick hits. Most fast-food chains Jack Groppcl, Ph.D., have a grilled chicken sandwich. is the executive vice When ordering, make sure you president of LGE leave off the cheese, mayonnaise Sport Science Inc. He or "special" sauce. Those sauces is an instruction usually pack well over 20 grams editor for Tennis of fat. Mustard is a great low-fat magazine, and is the substitute. Many chains also ofauthor of Highfer good salads along with lowTech Tennis and fat or fat-free dressings. co-author of The Skip the burgers, fish sandScience of wiches and french fries. There is Coaching Tennis, no reason to eat poorly even Groppel is a USPTA when you re running around like Master Professional mad. Of course, there will be and was named ig&j times when you have no control USPTA Professional over what's served, but you do of tie Year, when eating on the run. It takes *•
6 ADDvantage/Junel996
• •
" • ' ' : - . :
no more than a few seconds to make healthier choices. There is nothing wrong with eating at fast-food restaurants, unless all you ever order are burgers and fries. Several fastfood restaurants have very healthy selections. Burger King has the BK Broiler, McDonald's has the McGrilled Chicken Sandwich
11";;:: A ,:;:vy| hamburger percent fat. and Hardee's and Wendy's have their versions of the same meal. And all these fast-food chains have very good salad selections (but watch out for the dressing) I go to fast-food restaurants quite often because I have two young children. When ordering, I always ask them to omit the sauce but I sometimes substitute mustard or ketchup in its place. Lettuce, tomato and pickle add flavor to any sandwich. At hotels and some fast-food
restaurants, pizza is a very popular item. A cheese pizza with nothing else on it is about 27 percent fat — not bad for fast food. A hamburger is 56 percent fat. Here is a tasty trick I learned by chance while dining at a pizza restaurant with a friend who has a lactose intolerance and can't eat cheese. My friend ordered a small pizza with no cheese, but with extra tomato sauce, mushrooms and other vegetables. This astounded me. I asked the manager if it was a common request. He said it ::> ! :;•":;• : happened occasionally but not too often. :;: T I decided to ,^,.,:a~r order the same thing. Yes, I know. We grow up with certain tastes, the idea of pizza with no cheese seems incredulous. I must tell you, though, it was absolutely terrific. As an extra bonus, it ended up being 5 percent to 10 percent fat instead of 27 percent to 30 percent. Adding meat to a pizza raises the fat content even more. Many fast-food restaurants also feature pasta bars. Just be wary of how much butter is on the pasta. If prepared poorly, a very healthy staple can become unhealthy by being loaded with fat. &•
THE MAQTER PRO'G CORNER
A goal-setting approach for professionals by Jim Annesi, Ph.D.
G
oal setting is a vital part of a tennis instructor's job. How we prioritize our time, direct our attention and instruct our pupils should be based on goals that we develop for the maximum benefit of each student. For instance, if a 4-5 player wants to improve backhand steadiness, look to see if different situations such as high topspin balls or balls requiring large amounts of lateral footwork — are causing consistency to break down. If a I 5 player has the same desire, look closely at the shot construction, especially the use of the kinetic chain. Your analysis will help you zero in on specific goal setting for their improvement. Goals help to direct our focus and instruction. To make rapid improvement possible, goals must fit into a logical progression. If a goal is established to change the shape of a player s stroke, all energies from both the professional and the student — must be maintained there. Comments like, "You need to hit it closer to the corner," are inappropriate because the instructor's focus would have been turned to the shot's result. Similarly, if a goal had been established to take short balls on the rise and approach the net as soon as possible, commenting on backswmg length would be inadvisable. If backswmg is cited as a continual problem, the goals and instruction must be turned away from the strategy of approaching and redirected to the technical
skill in need. Professionals should not mix and match their instruction to students. Learning requires many focused, gradual steps for a skill to become automatic. All efforts must be directed toward one goal and only one goal at a time. To keep this requirement in check, I have developed a system to stay on track. All our oncourt teaching activities fall into three phases. A brief description follows.
Phase 1 The first phase, skill acquisition, focuses on maintaining form in the strokes of tennis. As a student masters the elements of a stroke, he will automatically play smoother, more complete strokes. Our focus here should be on providing feedback limited to attaining these ends. Little attention should be given to a shot's result at this time. Phase 2. The second phase, skill refinement and tactical develop-
ment, centers on keeping a developed stroke intact as it is played in increasingly demanding situations. The student must adapt the developed stroke to controlled amounts of pressure. Increased footwork and efficiently responding to harder, deeper balls becomes the instructional focus. You may gradually add some demands on placement. Changes in a stroke s shape should not be addressed. Phase 3. The third phase, strategy application, focuses on the correct use and choice of skills in game-like situations. Responding automatically in specific play situations is the goal in this phase. Drills that promote effective responses to game-like situations are helpful. Since students should be concentrating on developing and applying strategically correct choices, a comment on form would only divert attention away from the goal. A common mistake is to flood students with a barrage of information. While your advice may be accurate, it cannot be processed if it is applied unsystematically. To develop a learning pro gression that is sensitive to the various stages of skill development, set goals that are very specific. As each goal is attained, set another, and then another. When you present students with the conditions that enable them to focus upon and work through specific challenges, learning occurs very quickly. S?°
Jim Annesi, Pk.D., is a I'SPTA Master Professional and director of tennis at The Club at . He
Technologies, a sport/ exercise psychology consulting firm, and an of 'WSKstttdies. ADDvantage/June1996 7
Plan early for 1996 National Convention
I
f improving yourself and enhancing your career as a tennis-teaching pro-
course is only $25 and members will receive 2 credits per course in the Continuing Education Program. A registration form will appear in the next issue of ADDvantage.
fessional is important to you, then the 1996 USPTA National Convention is where you need to be in September. The next issue of ADDvantage will in-
Members interested in taking the Certification Training Course or upgrading their classification must preregister by Sept. I by calling the USPTA Membership Department. The exam
clude a tentative list of seminars and Specialty Courses offered during the convention, Sept, 14-22, in La Quinta, Calif Convention participants must preregister for both the Specialty Courses and the convention; prefegistering for
and CTC will be offered in portions over a six-day period. The CTC is also offered at a discount and will cost $40. Anyone interested in becoming certi-
only the convention does not guarantee a seat in a specific course. There will be an additional charge for those who do not preregister for the courses. Each Specialty Course has been condensed (from eight to four hours) to accommodate the convention schedule, and will be offered at a significant discount for convention attendees. Each
Aug. 13 is $225 for members, $250 for nonmembers, $115 for spouses/spouse equivalents and $225 for friends. La Quinta Resort & Club is handling all room reservations for USPTA members, who must make their own arrangements. A reservation form is on page 9. It must be filled out and returned to the hotel by Aug. 12 to receive special room rates. Those interested in sharing a room should call the World Headquarters for a list of other interested members. ^
fied must meet the requirements for membership before they are allowed to preregister for the exam. Prospective members are encouraged to have all requirements met in August.
|
it SON Sept. 1
USPTA members may register for the convention by completing the form on this page. The convention fee before
*$&{•
r This form must be completed for convention registration.
ITENNIS
All registrations received alter Aug. 12 "will incur a $20 late tee.
Celetrate 69 years of USPTA TENNIS REVOLUTION USPTA National Convention - Sept. 14-22 I
:-AL
C Division
' USPTA member No. ' Name I Address
State
City Pkone (H) (
ZIP
)
Spouse/spouse equivalent's name Friend's name
Payment options
Check applicable tees
Make cbeck or money order payable to USPTA, or charge cbarg my D Visa D MasterCard
D Member $225 D Nonmember $250 I
Name printed on credit card
I Spouse/spouse equivalent $115
Card No.
D Friend $225 Exp. date
I
Signat
I Total lees enclosed $
(Spouse/spouse equivalent must register to receive special package or parties and products.) Return with payment to: USPTA World Headquarters One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston TX 77042
8 ADDvantage/Junel996
Deadline approaching Hotel reservation for USPTA awards
(This form must oe used for reservations) Please complete this rorm ana return it to
It's not too late to nominate yourself or someone you know for a national USPTA award that will be presented at the 1996 USPTA National Convention.
La Quinta Resort & Glut no later man August 12 Sena to: La Quinta Resort & Club
P.O. Box 69
Members must meet certain requirements and complete a form available from the World Headquarters or the divisional awards chair. The completed application must be received at the
La Quinta, CA 92253
(619) 564-4111 (800) 854-1271 (619) 564-5758 (fax)
USPTA National Convention Arrival date:
World Headquarters by July 15 For more information or a form, call the World Headquarters. Individuals may be nominated for the following awards: • Alex Gordon Award for the National USPTA Professional of the Year • Industry Excellence Award • Coach of the Year • High School Coach of the Year • Touring Coach of the Year • Players of the Year Men's open division Men's35-and-older division Men's 45~and-older division Women's open division Women's ^-and-older division Women's ^-and~older division
Conference: Sept. 14-22
Departure date:
Last name (print legibly)
First i
Middle initial
Street
City
State
ZIP
(Area code) Telepnone
Please indicate choice or accommodations. All rates are European plan (no meals included).
Rates — $89:
D Single D Double
1. 2-
The atove rate does not include an 11 percent tax. Third party in any room is an additional $15 per day. Rollaway beds are available upon request. Number or rollaways:
DepOSlt: D Check
D Credit card:
D AmEx
D MC
D Visa
D DC/CB
Exp. date
Card No.
Authorization signature
Name printed on card
ATTENTION USPTA MEMBERS The following is a correction of the information printed on the bade of your USPTA membership card regarding on-courf liability insurance coverage. The USPTA liability policy includes $2 million in liability insurance, while on court, for bodily injury to others, and for damage to property not in the tennis professional's care, custody or control. It does not cover injury to the tennis pro, or damage to his/her property. The USPTA policy provides legal liability insurance for an accident that takes place on court and arises from the tennis professional's playing, practicing, teaching or officiating in tennis. The territory of coverage is anywhere within the United States, its territories or Canada. At this time, there is no coverage for members who play or teach in ofher countries or territories.
General inrormation All reservation requests must be received by August 12 Requests received after this date, or tor dates other man the main conference period, will he accepted on a space-availahle hasis only Please include one night's room revenue as a deposit (in the form of credit card numher or check) to hold your room until midnight of the day following your scheduled arrival date. Upon arrival, the deposit will he applied to the last confirmed night or the reservation. In the event of your early departure, the deposit is nonrefundahle unless the hotel is notified prior to or at the time of check-in.
Check-in time is after 4 p.m. Check-out time is noon. Cancellation notice of 14 days is required for a refund. Early departure will result in forfeiture of deposit. When canceling or changing your reservation by telephone, he sure to ohtain a cancellation or confirmation number. The hotel will make every effort to honor requests for specific types and locations of rooms. However, on occasions when such requests cannot he met, the hotel reserves the right to provide alternate accommodations.
ADDvantage/Junel996 9
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ONE THING YOU CAN BE SURE OF IS
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Players compete for $35,000 in prize money
U
SPTA members who love to play tennis will put their skills to the test in the $ 30,000 USPTA National Championships, to be held during the 1996 USPTA National Convention. The tournament, presented by Wilson Racquet Sports, is scheduled Sept. 14-18. Men and women may play singles or doubles in a variety of age categories. A wheelchair division with competition for men's and women's singles and doubles will be offered if there are enough participants. A registration form for the National Championships is on page 13 It must be returned to the World Headquarters by Aug. 13 The USPTA National Team Championships are scheduled Sept. 19-21 Each division may have two teams, with each team consisting of two men's doubles, one women's doubles, one mixed doubles and one men's 3 5 doubles. The Team Championships will use an eight-game pro set (no-ad scoring) with a tiebreak at seven games all. The USPTA National Senior Team Championships is a doubles only, regular draw, single-elimination tournament. Divisions will designate two doubles teams in each category: women's 3 5 women's 45 men's 45, men's 55 and men's 65 A total of $5,000 in prize money will be split between winners of both team tournaments. To register for the Senior Team Championships, complete the registration form on page I4> and return it to the World Headquarters by Aug. 13 Members should contact their divisions to participate in the National Team Championships. The USPTA Pro Penn tennis ball is the official ball for all events. For more information about a tournament, contact the World Headquarters. ft*
USPTA's top players will compete for the title and their share of $30,000 in the USPTA National Champio nsh ips.
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ADDvanfage/Junel996
Introducing SENSATION™ 16 string. Acute sensitivity. Deadly control. -Liike a spider's web, new Sensation™ 16 string looks harmless enough. But, pity tne unwary opponent tnat buzzes up to tne net lor a closer look. Sensation 16 string is made with Xycro™ micro-ribers, an advanced polymer material supplied by DuPont® Tbe string s sensitivity comes rrom our Dynelastic™ tecbnology, an exclusive wet-wrap technique that twists and. wraps these fibers at the same Sensation 16 string time. It's not unlike a spider
Spinning its web. The result is a revolutionary string with Dynamic Elasticity In other words, it "holds" the ball just a little bit longer, giving you optii f i 1 1 11 1 mal teel and deadly control ol your shots. Said the spider to the rly, "Tennis anyone?"
Other new strings available from Wilson, Synthetic lu uymnetic Gut ^jui eXtreme™ extreme ±u
(also aoaijaye
-n 18f
17 anj
Spin 15L gauges) & HammerLast™ 1Q (also available in 10 gauge).
Ulifeon The Right Equipment Makes The Dirrerence"
1996 USPTA National Ckampionskips Presented by UJiC&OTL Racquet Sports Wnat: Singles ana doubles competition, open ana age categories
Player/event regulations: Back eUgible player is limited to two events. An event is two players or teams competing. Men's open limited to a 128-draw. Events may use block seeding, depending on size and strengtk of draw.
Wnen: Sept. 14-18. Starting times tor first-round singles matckes will te mailed Aug. 31.
Mixed doubles rule: Players may play regular doubles and mixed doubles.
Where: La Quinta Resort & Glut, La Quinta, Calif.
Tentative starting schedule:
Surface: Hard court Prize money: $30,000
Sept. 14 Time TEA start MOS, M35S 5 p.m. Sign up ends MOD, M35D.
numter of entries affect distribution
Individual entry fees: $50/singles, $20/doubles. Tournament players must register for National Convention; tournament and convention fees must be paid separately (see convention registration form, elsewkere in magazine). Singles entry and fees deadline, Aug. 1'3. Doubles may register at tournament site, preregistration encouraged.
Sept. 15 9 a.m. Start WOS, M40S, M45S. 10 a.m. Sign up ends M40D, M45D, WOD.
3 p.m.
Start MOD, M35D, M40D, M45D, WOD.
Matck scoring: Regular matck scoring, two of tkree tiebreaker sets.
5 p.m.
Sign up ends, remainder men's doubles, women s doubles and MXD.
Rules: USTA. 15-minute default rule in effect. Players allowed minimum kour rest between singles matckes, 30 minutes between singles and doubles matckes or two doubles matckes. Dress code: Proper tennis attire. No T-skirts, tank tops or Capri tigkts. Player eligibility: Current USPTA members in good standing wko preregister for National Convention. All membership requirements must be completed ay June 13 to allow for grading exam and processing application. USPTA will not be keld responsible by any individual or division if entry is not accepted due to not fulfilling requirements before tke 60-day deadline.
Sept. 16 9 a.m. Start remainder men s singles and women s singles. 3 p.m. Start remainder men s doubles and women s doubles. 5 p.m. Start MXD. Tkis sckedule may ckange as a draw increases. Players are advised to arrive one day before first sckeduled matck. Tournament staff: Frank Kelly, tournament director; Katky O'Neal, Todd Ruedisili and Gary Scanlon, Tournament Committee.
exclusively endorsed ball of the USPTA
J)Glitl.
Ranking Name
D ATP/WTA D USPTA
Street City
State
ZIP D USTA sectional
Pkone
(
) D USTA national^
SSNo. USTA No.
Birtkdate USPTA No. _
D State D
W/L record
Doubles partner Attacb past ana present ranking
SSNo.
Birtkdate
SSNo.
Fees Singles $50
I,
, hereby
release the United States Professional Tennis Association, its officers,
$_
Doubles $20/person
$
directors and employees, including those of tke USPTA divisions and tournament sponsors, from any and all liability for injury to me, including illness
resulting from my participation in tke USPTA National
Total encl
Ckampionskips. I assume all risks inkerent in my participation.
Entry deadline Date
Signatu
MOD
n n n n n D n n n n n
-M35D M40D M45D M50D M55D M60D M65D M70D M75D M80D M85D
information if needed.
Mixed doubles partner Birtkdate
Men's
n MOS
Aug. 13 Mail this entry alon^ with your payment, to: USPTA National Championships One USPTA Centre • 3535 Briarpark Drive • Houston, TX 77042
M35S M40S M45S M50S M55S M60S M65S M70S M75S M80S M85S Women'
n wos
n WOD
n n D n n n n n n
W35S W40S W45S W50S W55S W60S W65S W70S W75S
n n n n n n n n n
n
Wheelchair MOS n MOD
n wos
W35D W40D W45D W50D W55D W60D W65D W70D W75D
n
LJ Mixed doubles
1996 USPTA National Team Cnampionsnips i '
Ranking
Senior team entry
D USPTA
Name | Street
D USTA sectional
| City
State
| Phone No. (
ZIP
Men's D M45D D M55D D M65D
D USTA national
)
Women's
D State
| Birthdate
S.S No.
I USPTA No.
USTA No.
D W/L record Attack past and present
| USPTA Division
D W35D D W45D
ranking? iniormation, if needed,
I Doubles partner | Birthdate
1 1 ' I '
Fees
S.S. No.
I, , hereby release the United States Professional Tennis Association, its officers, directors and employees, including those of tbe USPTA divisions and tournament sponsors, from any and all liability for injury to me, including illness, resulting from my participation in tbe USPTA National Team Championships. I assume all risks inherent in my participation.
$20 /doubles team
$
Entry deadline
Aug. 13, 1996
:\l tke akove
1
1
Date
Signed
One USPTA Centre • 3535 Briarpark Drive • Houston, TX 77042
What: Two doubles-only divisional team tournaments, one tor open and one for senior team competition. When: Sept. 19-21
(to Sept. 22 if rain), starts 1 p.m. daily
Where: La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta, Calif., with contingency for matches elsewhere. Surface: Hard courts. Prise money: $5,000 for both tournaments. Entry fees: Open competition paid by division; senior competition is $20/doubles team paid by individuals. All tournament players must register for convention. Tournament and convention registration fees are paid separately. Divisions have until Aug. 13 to submit fees and the number of teams entered into open division. Senior
Senior scoring: Eight-game, pro set match scoring, with tiebreak at seven games all. Team scoring: 2 points for main draw wins. All teams may enter tournament, but only teams chosen by divisions may earn points. Each team must have players from same division. Rules: USTA, 15-minute default, senior event players allowed minimum 30-minute rest between matches. On-court dress code: Proper tennis attire. No T-shirts, tank tops or Capri tights. Player eligibility: Limited to current USPTA members in good standing who have preregistered for the National Convention. All membership requirements must be fulfilled and submitted before
teams are encouraged to send entries and fees to World Headquarters by
June 13. USPTA is not responsible for individuals who do not
Aug. 13. Deadline is Sept. 17 at tournament meeting for senior entries
comply with these requirements.
and final open rosters. Open team format: Doubles-only, 32-draw. Each division team
Each division selects team members, and USPTA s governing body requires that members compete only for divisions in which they
consists of two men s doubles, one women s doubles, one mixed
physically reside. When a member moves to another division after
doubles and one men s 35 doubles.
June 17 the member may compete for either division. Members
Open scoring: Eight-game pro set (no-ad scoring) with tiebreak at seven games all. Each division allowed two teams and may substitute as desired. Substitutes play only on one team. If incomplete draw, divisions may enter more teams, which are placed in a lottery to draw for bye(s) Senior team format: Doubles-only, regular draw single-elimination. Divisions designate (for scoring points) two doubles teams in each category: women s 35, women s 45, men s 45, men s 55, men s 65.
must compete for the new division if they move before June 17 Tournament meeting: 6 p.m., Sept, 17 La Quinta Resort & Club (meeting room TEA), for team captains and divisional presidents. Topics
seeding, draws, rules, guidelines.
Tournament staff: Frank Kelly, tournament director; Kathy O'Neal, Todd Ruedisili, Gary Scanlon, USPTA Tournament Committee.
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USPTA Adult Tennis League™ attracts players and fills courts
P
eople have good intentions. At least when it conies to setting personal goals throughout the year- save more money, take one great trip, get more exercise Unfortunately, the money goes to bills, vacation time is spent planting a garden and a regular tennis partner still hasn't been found. The USPTA Adult Tennis LeagueSM provides an answer to one of the most common tennis complaints: "I can t find anyone to play with!" Professionals like this league for many reasons. It is flexible enough to be used during any seven weeks. Large and small facilities may adapt it since it requires only two courts. And the doubles-only format is open to men, women or mixed doubles. If you've never used it before, here's how it works. A facility may have one or more squads. Each squad consists of eight teams divided between four levels of play (two players per team and two teams per level) The recommended levels are 3.0 and below, 3 5, 4-0 and 4-5 5.0. However, pros may adjust the levels within squads to meet player availability. A squad should have at least 16 players. If there are not enough players at a level to form a squad, the pro may adjust the format to include the four most popular levels within his area. He may also duplicate levels within a squad. The bottom line is, go with whatever works best for you. Another possibility to closing the gap between skill levels is Tencap, the official handicapping system of the USPTA. This popular alternative is currently in use at hundreds of sites around the country. Designed to 16 ADDvantage/Junel996
equalize play, this computerized system assigns each participant a Tencap ranging from 0 (the best) to 65 The handicap is the difference between two players on the Tencap scale and is the number of points that may be taken by the player with the higher Tencap at any time during the game. A player's Tencap is based on the percentage of games won relative to the caliber of the opponents played, and is recalculated every two weeks. One big advantage to this system is that players are able to find more competitive matches against suitable opponents, which results in more people signing up for lessons, browsing through the pro shop and enjoying a cold drink at the snack bar after the match. It is recommended, however, that the Tencap between two players not exceed 10 points for the same reason you wouldn't put a novice on the court with Venus Williams — both players would wind up exasperated. Teaching pros may run the USPTA Adult Tennis League during any sevenweek period from July through December. To participate, a player must be affiliated with a sponsoring club, facility or organization and be at least 19 years old. Local squad entry fees may vary depending on court costs, clinics or special league events, but should be relatively inexpensive. Leagues are a powerful medium for increasing tennis participation in a community. Most people who oin are between the ages of 18 and 54, and are more likely than the recreational player to play regularly, involve their children and buy tennis apparel. So in the end, everyone wins. The
bills get paid, there s fresh vegetables from the back yard and the tennis courts are full again. S?°
Registration form
Name Address City
ZIP
State Business phone Home phone ( USPTA member
yes
Member No. Do you live or work in or near a city or metropolitan area? _ _ yes
_ no
City's name I would like to participate as: _ an Area Director
a Site Director
Return to USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042
official ball of the USPTA Adult League
WelcoiviE TO
NITED
STATES
PROFESSIONAL TENMIS ASSOCIATION
SM SPTA Adulr TENNJS LEAQUE a reward ng sports marketing program developed by the United States Professional Tennis Association, helps professionals expand tennis activities at their facilities. With a unique squad format and the flexibi ity to use Tencap (a computerized rating and handicapping system), the adult league
U
offers players competitive on-court action and off-court camaraderie. Players 19 years or older may participate n squads representing the r favorite clubs or organizations in seven-week league seasons from July 1 through Dec. 31 Two doubles teams compete at each of four Tencap or NTRP levels that are set by the Area D rector For example, a squad format n a women's doubles league may nclude Tencap levels of 46 or higher, 41-45, 36-40 and 35 or less, which are equivalent to the NTRP levels of 3.0, 3 5, 4.0 and 4.5 or higher, respectively Squads may also be organized n various doubles formats, nclud ng women's, men's and mixed doubles. Another option is mixed level leagues, with one women's doubles and one men's doubles team at each of the Tencap or NTRP levels. This program guide provides the necessary materials to run a successful tSPTA Adulr TENNIS LEAQUE in your area. Save this special pu lout section in a reference notebook of programs USPTA wil publish throughout the year To make your league successfu , take advantage of its flexibi ity Tennis professionals have discretion regarding entry fees, squad formats, doubles formats, the number of players on each squad, the number of squads per league and much more. With a few creative marketing strategies, professionals can offer the USPTA Adilr TENNIS LEAQUE as a fun program for players and find it financially rewarding for themselves.
YOUR USPTA Adult TENNIS LEAQUE kir CONTAINS: FOR AREA ANd S!TE DIRECTORS with step-by-step instructions for organizing squads and coordinating leagues. Rules ANd OPERATIONS with procedures and regulations for the seven-week program. Read these carefully and explain them to players and other pros to make your league run smoothly. A SAM pit SCORE cARd that may be reproduced and distributed to players for reporting match scores. AN ATTRACTIVE POSTER for display at your tennis facility. A IEVEI ROSTER that may be photocopied for each level on your squad with the appropriate blanks filled in. Post the rosters beside the league poster or in your pro shop as sign-up sheets. cowbiNArioNs that provide guidelines on scheduling league competition. A wEEkly
updATE for posting results.
PRESS INFORMATION. Fill in the appropriate blanks on the press release form (photocopy or create your own, if necessary) and deliver it to newspapers and television and radio stations at least three weeks before the registration deadline.
Be a part of th s great grassroots effort and register as an Area or Site D rector today Complete and return the registration form, or cal the Sports Marketing Department at the USPTA World Headquarters at (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782) You also may register by e-mai at sports@uspta.org. Copyright ÂŽ United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1996. All rights reserved.
youR IEAQUE AREA DIRECTOR'S checklisr
SITE DIRECTOR'S chEcklisT
REspONsibilmES
REspoNsibilmES
Solicit Site Directors to establish squads. Schedule the seven-week league season and determine the squad and doubles formats.
Post league information and solicit players for squad(s). Inform each player of league rules and operations.
Set the squad entry fee, and collect fees and rosters from al Site Directors. Fees should help cover costs of awards and gifts, if any to Site Directors. Send copies of rosters and other league information to the Sports Marketing Department.
Select a captain for each Tencap or NTRP level.
Make schedules and send them to Site Directors. Receive/solicit match results from level captains/Site Directors, keep weekly results and update Site Directors. Srcps FOR RUNNJNq AN AREA LEAquE D Register as an Area Director by returning the registration form in ADDvantage magazine. D Read the league rules and operations and the Site Director's checklist. If any rules are changed on a local level, submit the changes in writing to USPTA, Site Directors and all league players. D Decide when to run your league(s) and which of the four doubles formats to use. You may pick any seven weeks from July through December that do not conflict with existing programs. D Solicit Site Directors. Meet with local pros and discuss dates of play formats and entry fees. Set entry fees to meet all anticipated expenses. The recommended squad entry fee is $140.
Establish Tencap or NTRP ratings for players.
Collect fees, complete rosters and send to Area Director by deadline. Reserve courts well in advance for home league matches and remind players to provide tennis balls (USPTA Pro Penn) when playing at home.
STEPS FOR A successful club PROGRAM [H Register as a Site Director by returning the registration form in ADDvantage magazine, or by calling your Area Director D Read the league rules and operations and note any rule changes your Area Director may have made on a local basis. D Your Area Director wi contact you with league dates, squad format, the doubles format and deadlines for returning rosters and entry fees. D Display the poster at your faci ity and post copies of the level roster as sign-up sheets. Encourage your students and club members to join. CD Complete the sample press release (or create your own) and send it to your local newspaper and radio and television stations to help promote the league.
D Notify Site Directors of the league schedule and deadlines for returning level rosters and entry fees. Each level in a squad should fill out a roster and return it no later than three weeks before play
D Pick a captain for each level in your squad(s) and explain their responsibilities and all rules.
D Set incentives for Site Directors, such as a percentage of the squad entry fee or other rewards.
D Check that players complete the level rosters with addresses and phone numbers to help with all league communications. For liability purposes, make sure players sign beside their names.
D
Provide awards for the top squad and top levels. Order awards wel in advance. D Site Directors will send checks payable to you, along with completed level rosters for each squad. For liability purposes, it is important that players sign beside their names on the rosters. [U Send copies of all rosters, a ist of Site Directors and the dates of league play to the USPTA World Headquarters so that your league may be officially registered. D Mail a ist of Site Directors and level captains with phone numbers to each Site Director D Schedule league matches and send the dates to Site Directors well in advance. Use the sample round-robin combinations form to help you. D During the league season, level captains wi send you score cards with match results. Use this information to complete the weekly league update form, and send it to each Site Director
D Collect squad entry fees and send them with rosters to your Area Director by deadline. Al checks should be made payable to the Area Director If possible, send one check for the whole squad. D Reserve court space at your facility for league matches. D Consider sponsoring a kickoff clinic for your league players. D The Area Director wi I send you a ist of Site Directors and level captains with phone numbers, as well as a league schedule. Give photocopies of each to level captains. CH Fi in the Area Director's address on the score card and give each level captain seven copies. Level captains must record results from each level match on the score card and mai it to the Area Director weekly D The Area Director wi I send you a weekly league update to display at your tennis facility once play begins. D If there are playoffs, you will receive a playoff schedule from your Area Director Display this schedule in your tennis faci ity and give a copy to each captain.
D If you hold playoffs, send a playoff schedule and the season's results to each Site Director After playoffs, send results to the Site Directors and present the awards to players. D If you do not hold playoffs, send thank-you letters with the final season results to Site Directors. Include the awards for the league champions (the top squad plus the top level in each category).
D If there are no playoffs, the Area Director may send awards for season champions (the top squad plus the top level in each category) to Site Directors. Ifyour squad receives an award, be sure to promote it at your tennis faci ity
D Send copies of publicity and league results to the USPTA World Headquarters.
D Display playoff results and any awards won in your club.
Now that it's over we hope you and your squads had a great league and look forward to next season Thanks for being a part of the USPTA Adult Tennis League!
D Reserve courts for any playoff matches to be held at your facility That's it the end of the league! Thanks for being a good sport and for helping to make the USPTA Adult Tennis League a success!
Copyright ÂŽ United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1 996. All rights reserved.
USPTA Adutr TENIMJS LEAQUE LEAQUE RtUs ANd OPERATIONS of TERMS Area Generally an area is a city and its surrounding suburbs, but is determined by the number of players and available facilities.
Each league consists of a maximum of eight squads, and each squad has eight doubles teams. Although a league may have fewer squads, eight squads offer the greatest player enjoyment. A facility may have more than one squad.
Area Director — A USPTA pro who runs the league in a designated Area and sets the schedule, determines squad and doubles formats, selects awards, sets entry fees, provides incentives to Site Directors and relays information to USPTA.
Squads are divided into Tencap or NTRP equivalent levels with two doubles teams at each level.
Squad — Eight doubles teams (two at each level) that represent a tennis facility or organization. The recommended squad size has a minimum of 16 players.
Each Area Director sets the seven-week league season (any time from July 1 through Dec. 31). Site Directors should be consulted when setting the schedule.
Site Director The tennis pro or volunteer at a facility who coordinates one or more squads. The Site Director does not have to be a USPTA tennis professional.
USPTA doES NOT wish This LEAQUE TO REPLACE OTHERS, such AS USTA OR WoRld TEAMTENNJS. OUR obJEcrivE is TO CREATE Add!' TioNAl pUyJNq OppORTUNJTiES, NOT CONfUcT WJTh ExisTJMq ONES.
Level — One of four playing divisions (based on the Tencap or NTRP levels) of a squad. Each level has two doubles teams. Tencap A computerized tennis rating and handicapping system based on a scale from 0 (best) to 65 (beginner). Tencap is the offical tennis handicap system of the USPTA.
PUyER EiiqibiliTy Players must be at least 19 when playing their first match and may be listed on only one level roster Each player must have a Tencap or NTRP rating (NTRP ratings may be easily converted to Tencap ratings). A squad member may play at a higher skill level than his or her rating but not at a lower skill level. Failure to play at the correct level will result in a forfeit.
Level captain A player in charge of the two doubles teams on his or her level. Level captains must make sure team members play at correct Tencap or NTRP levels and report for each rnatch. At home league matches, level captains ensure their teams provide balls (USPTA Pro Penn). Before matches, level captains of opposing squads must exchange lineups in writing. Also, both captains must record match results and send score cards to the Area Director each week.
Names of players added to the roster or moved to an advanced level must be submitted in writing to the Area Director before the match. The third move of a player is permanent.
Team — One of two doubles teams at each level on a squad.
Professional players and full-time teaching professionals are ineligible.
Mixed level One women's doubles team and one men's doubles team play at each level in a squad.
LEAqUE pARTJdpANTS AqREE rllAT rhEy ASSUME lIlE RJsk of ANy IN-
JURY iNcuRRtd whiiE TAkiNq PART IN T!IE USPTA Adutr TENNJS E, ANd ThAT USPTA ANd ITS AqENTs BEAR NO REspoNsibilhy.
FORMAT An Area Director may choose from among four types of doubles formats: men's, women's, mixed doubles or a mixed level league.
Score card instructions Complete the upper portion of the score card and write the players' full names. each match and circle the winners' names. Each match is worth 1 point. Record total match points for home and visiting teams. Both level captains must complete and sign the score cards and return them to the Area Director the match. If neither score card is received, each team will receive no points.
Home squad
USPTA recommends that all league players join the USTA but does not require membership in any organization to play
Visiting squad
JJ«i^£i2^k_
Tencap or NTPP level Date
-t^BSSmfS^. Match number
[Circle the winners and record the score and total match points.) HOME souAd
VismNq sou Ad
Team 1
VS-
Team 2
V5-
fOTAl MATCHES WON
CAPTAJNS' siqNATURES
SCORE
(hoMEJ
(viSJTORS)
(koME)
(visiioRs)
The participants agree that they assume the risk of any injury incurred while taking part in the USPTA Adult Tennis LeaeueSM. and that USPTA and its agents bear no responsibility.
TENCAP OR NTRP RATJNQS
FEES
A Site Director must ensure that players have Tencap or NTRP ratings. If a player does not already have a Tencap or NTRP rating, a USPTA professional may •
Convert the player's NTRP rating to a Tencap by using a conversion chart
•
Have the players get an NTRP verification
•
Assign the player a temporary Tencap rating
Area Directors set squad entry fees with input from Site Directors. (The recommended squad entry fee is $140.) Checks should be made payable to the Area Director Fees will not be refunded after scheduling is completed. Players will give checks to the Site Director who will forward them with rosters to the Area Director AREA DIRECTORS ARE RESpONsibU FOR pRovidiNq lEAquE AWARds, INCEN^ rivts FOR S!TE DIRECTORS, puiNTJNq ANd posTAqE.
Schedules
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AssiqNJNq TENCAP OR coNVERTJNq NTRP RATJNqS, CONTACT TllE TtNCAp OFFICE AT 800'Y'TEINCAP
(987' 6227).
Area Directors will mail schedules to each Site Director whose squad has paid its fees by deadline. It is recommended that two levels play at home and two levels play away each week to minimize court time at each facility
MATCHES Play will be the best two out of three sets, regular scoring, with a 12point tiebreaker if play reaches 6-all. Each squad member may play only one match per day If time becomes a factor use no-add scoring or play a 12-point tiebreaker to determine the third set if the match is at one set each. Warm-up is limited to 10 minutes with a 15-minute default rule. The Area Director will send a schedule of matches to each Site Director who will forward it to level captains. Home squads will furnish new balls to ensure consistency from court to court. It is recommended that only USPTA Pro Penn tennis balls be used for league play.
PUyoffs The Area Director will decide if playoffs will be held and how many squads and teams at each level will participate. Season results may not affect playoffs. If there is no playoff: Champions will be named in each category top squad and the top four levels. Winners will be the squad and level teams who won the most matches during the season. If two squads or teams are tied, the tie shall be broken by the first of the following procedures that applies: •
Most matches won during the season in head-to-head competition between the two tied squads or level teams.
•
The least number of games lost during the season.
•
The two squads or teams will have a head-to-head playoff to determine the season champion.
Rules and regulations from the USTA Friend at Court handbook apply
Scorn NQ Each match is worth 1 point. A squad may earn up to 8 points per week. Score cards must be received by the Area Director within one week of the match. Both level captains must sign and return score cards. If only one card is received, it will be the recorded score; if neither is received, teams for both squads wi I receive no points. All forfeits shall be noted as a forfeit, and the non-forfeiting team shall be given the score 6-0, 6-0. Rained-out matches should be made up within one week or both teams will receive no points. If a match is suspended because of rain, begin with the same set and game score when play resumes.
If there is a playoff: • Squad playoffs. A tournament could be held for all squads in the league, with seedings determined by the final season results. •
Level playoffs (recommended). Same procedure as for Squad playoffs, but will follow by at least 24 hours. If there is a tie, the winner will be decided by the first that applies: the least games lost during that playoff match, or a 12-point tiebreaker between the squads' No. 1 doubles teams at that level.
(Area Director) (facility) (address) (city state, ZIP)
DOUBLES (check ONE) D WOMEN'S
•fern.
D MEN'S
D Mixed
D Mixed Level
the official league ball
ROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION
A COURT NEAR yOU
Now
Address:
Phone:
Name:
TO SIQN up, CONTACT:
SM
,
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR
The participants agree that they assume the risk of any injury incurred while taking part in the USPTA Adult Tennis League and that USPTA and its agents bear no responsibility.
Sign-up deadline:
* If you do not have a Tencap or NTRP rating, please contact this facility's tennis professional.
Tencap or NTRP levels:
Doubles format:
to
League play from
DON'T Miss ihe SEASON'S MOST excmNq IEAQUE. JOIN TodAy ANd SHARPEN youR coivipETiTivE skills.
)
(B)(
Signature
Address (street, city, ZIP)
Area Director
Area
Phone (
City, state, ZIP
Address
)
Birthdate (m/d/y)
Return to Area Director by
Club name
TO
(date)
Tencap/ NTRP
(Tencap or NTRP level)
Phone (area code)
LEVEL oF PUy:
USPTA Adutr TENNIS LEAGUE
The participants agree that they assume the risk of any injury incurred while taking part in the USPTA Adult Tennis LeagueSM and that USPTA and its agents bear no responsibility
Name (print last name first)
Sign-up deadline
)
Captain's phone (H) (
Level captain
D Men's D Mixed D Mixed Level
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Phone (
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D OublES (chEck ONE)
DATES of pUy:
USPTA Adutr TENNJS LEAQUE SM
)PRofESSioNAl TENNJS ASSOCIATION, INC.
City state, ZIP
Address
Club name
Site Director
Ui\iTEd S
The part,
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** 8 SouAds
7 SouAds
6 SouAds
5 SouAds
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be broken into smaller round robins with squads playing each other as many
1 vs2
1 vs4
2 vs3
2vs3 5vs8
2 vs4 5vs7
6 Bye 1 vs3 2vs4 5vs7 6vs8
3 vs4
5 vs6
7 Bye
1 vs2
3 vs4
5vs6
7vs8
6vs7
1 vs4
5 Bye
6vs7
3 vs8 4vs7
3 vs7 4 vs8
4vs5
3vs6
2 vs7
1 vs8
1 Bye
4vs6
3vs5
2 vs7
Ay
Discretionary playoffs
Discretionary playoffs
Repeat schedule or al teams make playoffs
and that USPTA and its agents bear no respoi
4vs6
3 vs5
2 vs8
1 vs7
2 Bye
4vs5
3 vs6
Week 8
Discretionary playoffs
Wttk 7
Repeat schedule or al teams make playoffs
Wtsk 6
1 vs 7
SM
/JSPTA Adult Tennis League
2 vs5
1 vs6
3 Bye
4vs7
2 vs5
1 vs6
3 vs4
2 vs6
1 vs5
1 Bye
4vs5
2vs3
Repeat schedule
WEtk 5
2vs6
1 vs 5
4 Bye
3vs7
2 vs6
1 vs5
agree that they assume the risk of any injury incurred while taking part ir
DE is FOR SEVEN WEEks wijh 8 souAds.
1 vs4
1 vs3
1 vs2
3 vs5
4 vs 6
4vs5
5vs6
2vs4
2vs5
3vs6
2 vs3
1 vs6
2 Bye
3 Bye
4 Bye
5 Bye 1 vs3
3 vs5
1 vs4
Week 4
2 vs4
1 vs5
2 vs3
1 vs4
Wetk 5
If there are more than eight squads, the Area Director may form two leagues (e.g., a blue league and a red league) and have playoffs at the end of the season.
2 vs 5
1 vs3
1 vs2
SAMplE ROUNd'RObJN COMBINATIONS
The Area Director wi decide the size of the round robins, whether there wil be playoffs, and the length of the playoffs. Area Directors may use these round-robin combinations to determine the best schedule for squads.
If there are less than eight squads, the round robin wi times as is feasible.
3 vs4
2vs4
1 vs3
SM
Each league wil consist of a maximum of eight squads and wil be conducted over a seven-week period with a round-robin format.
Week 2
3 vs4
1 vs2
Week 1
Ita,
USPTA Adutr TENN'IS LEAQUE
STATES PnofESsioNAl TENNJS ASSOCIATION, he.
USPTA Adulr TENN'IS LEAQUE
*
WEEk
This
LEVEL
CuMuUrivE
Date week ends
City state, ZIP
Address
WEEk
This
LEVEL CuMuUrivE
WEEk
This
LEVEL
R E S U I T& !
USPTA Adulr TENNIS LEAQUE
WEEk
This
LEVEL
CuMuUrivE
Mixed Level
D
This WEEk
CUMULATIVE
TOTAL
Mixed
SODJ\
Men's D
Women s d
D
Doubles (check ONE)
Weekly LEAQUE UpdAre
, and that USPTA and its agents bear no responsibility
CuMuUrivE
The participants agree that they assume the risk of any injury incurred while taking part in the USPTA Adult Tennis League
8.
7
6.
5
4.
5
2.
1
No.
r*
SOUAQ NAME (club/FAciLiry NAME)
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Phone
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USPTA AdulT TENNis LEAquESM
UNJTEd SlA.ci PnofESSJOMAl TE\NJS AsSOCiATIOM, llNC.
UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC.
NewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsReleaseNewsRelease
CONTACT PERSON PHONE NUMBER. (date)
LocAl USPTA Adulr TENNJS LEAQUE TO offER oiN'COURT EXCITEMENT Area tennis enthusiasts wi
have a new playing opportunity thanks to a unique league making its way to a
local tennis faci ity The USPTA Adult TENN!S LEAGUE
M
swings nto action at
in
beginning (city)
Players 19 (start date)
years or older can sharpen the r ski Is in an exciting program that promotes competitive on-court action and off-court camaraderie. The league, sponsored by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), offers local competition in
doubles. (doubles format)
The dead ine to sign up is
For more nformation on the (date)
USPTA Adulj TENNJS LEAQUE, or to sign up, contact (name)
at (phone number)
Players of every ski level wi
find their place n this league and wi
have the opportunity to meet others
who share a love of the game. "Team spirit is the key," said Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO "A beginn ng player may earn points for the squad just as an accomplished player might. The league offers a fun format for everyone, and it has been successfu nationwide." USPTA is the world's oldest and largest association of tennis-teach ng professionals with more than 10,500 members worldwide. S nee it was founded n 1927, the goal of USPTA has been to raise the standards of the tennisteach ng profession and to promote a greater awareness of the game. For more nformation on USPTA, cal its World Headquarters n Houston at (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782) or visit its site on the Internet's World Wide Web at www uspta.org. -30-
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Creating tension-free players by Rami Zelikovich, USPTA Do you find yourself teaching tense and "unnatural" beginning players? Do you find yourself using the latest information about the science of hiomechanics but the tension does not go away? Do you find yourself telling your students to be patient because tennis is a difficult game to learn? Tension is a part of almost any player s game, from beginners to pros. It is also the biggest barrier for achieving peak performance. Understanding its sources and being able to teach students how to relax will improve the rate of your success dramatically. Tension can be caused by physical or mental reasons and, at times, a little of both. While intermediate players are often tense due to poor stroke technique, and advanced players are tense because of mental reasons, beginners tend to have a
mixture of both. Poor coordination or lack of muscle memory on the physical side, and fear and misperceptions on the mental side, often produce tense, reactive and dysfunctional actions. Using a total approach one that interrelates both physical and mental aspects — can create tremendous improvement almost instantly. The following chart indicates a common chain of events, from the moment our mind perceives a situation to the time our body reacts. Effective players
Ineffective players
Situation
Perceive a situation
Perceive a situation
Interpretation
Perceive true meaning and interpretation
Perceive false meaning and misinterpretation
Feelings
Experience calm feelings
Experience tension and fear
Action
Perform an effective action
Perform ineffective action
Results
Results are accurate and consistent
Results are inaccurate and inconsistent
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20 ADDvontage/Junel996
There are three common patterns that can lead to dysfunctional actions: • The way the follow-through motion is taught • The way a student perceives time • The way a student perceives energy and force The follow-through motion is the most basic action taught to beginners. It is the movement of the racquet through the ball in the direction of a target. Although some techniques are scientifically proven to be superior to others, most students, and especially beginners, have difficulty performing them. Since they often find themselves in anything but perfect positioning, they must choose between using the suggested "perfect stroke technique" and possibly missing the ball, or adjusting and compensating their swing for the situation, which demands sacificmg the "perfect form." see Tension, page 25
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Continuing Education Countdown '96 Six months remain in the 1994-96 period of the Continuing Education grading term. How many points do you have? Certified USPTA members are required to earn 9 credits per three-year period. The current period ends Dec. 31, 1996.
Division meetings/activities (1/2 point and up) June I
Midwest Division Columbus, Ohio
June 9
California Division Los Angeles, Calif.
July 14
California Division Los Angeles, Calif.
July 19-21
Midwest Division Homewood, 111.
Aug.
Middle States Division Hershey, Pa.
Aug.
3 -4 18
Eastern Division Syracuse, N.Y
Sept. 27-29
Midwest Division Qumcy, 111.
Conventions (5 Pomts each) June 8-10
Pacific Northwest Division Lake Chalen, Wash.
Aug. 24-26
Northwest Division Brainerd, Minn.
Sept. 14-22
USPTA National Convention La Qumta, Calif.
Coaches Workshops (2 Pomts each) July 13
Midwest Division Rushville, Ind.
Aug. 12
Midwest Division Indianapolis, Ind.
The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event. Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit onehalf the course fee. This schedule is subject to change. Call the USPTA Membership Department for additional information or write via email at membership@uspta.org.
Specialty Courses (2 points per four-hour course; 4 points per eight-hour course) Mental Training for Peak Performance, June 2, Columbus, Ohio (4 hours) G. Sailes Decreasing Problems — Increasing Profits, June 7 Wilmington, N.C. (4 hours) L. Karageanes Group Lessons, August 17 May wood, N J (8 hours) G. Bacso Club Tennis Marketing, August 18, May wood, N J (8 hours) L. Karageanes Creating a Total Service Organisation, August 24, Brainerd, Minn. (4 hours) G. Lappin Strategy and Tactics I, August 24, The Woodlands, Texas (4 hours) B. Tym Strategy and Tactics II, August 25 The Woodlands, Texas (4 hours) B. Tym
The USPTA Little Tennis Specialty Course is always popular at the National Convention.
1 Cfsfffkiifkjii (2, points for CTC only) June 1-2 June 1-2 June 2-3 June 2-3 June 6-7 June 8-9 June 8-9 June 8-9 June 8-9 June 8-9 June 9-10 June 12-13 June 13-14 June 15-16 June 1 6-lJ June 20-21 June 22-2 3 June 22-23 June 2 3 -24 July 6-7 July 13-14 July 13-14 July 20-21 July 21-22
Hilton Head, S.C. ; Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Parker, Colo. Dearborn, Mich. Bedford, N.Y. Columbia, Mo, Murrieta, Calif Honolulu, Hawaii Austin, Texas Baltimore, Md. La Jolla, Calif. Freeport, N.Y. Dixville Notch, N.H. Grenelefe, Fla. Sacramento, Calif Mesa, Ariz. Camarillo, Calif. j Greensboro, N.C, Conyers, Ga. Miami, Fla. Flushing, N.Y ! Orlando, Fla. Fountain Valley, Calif McLean, Va.
July 2 5 -2 6 July 27-28 Aug. 2-3
Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug.
3-4 3-4 3-4 4-5
Aug.
IO-II
Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug.
10-11 11-12 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19
Aug. 24-25 Sept. 7-8 Sept. 7-8 Sept. 8-9 Sept. 7-8 Sept. 8-9 Sept. 8-9 Sept. 11-12 Sept. 14-15
El Paso, Texas Memphis, Tenn. Bloomington, Minn. Jacksonville, Fla. Hamden, Conn. Hershey, Pa. Conyers, Ga. Industry Hills, Calif. Charlottesville, Va. San Francisco, Calif Bedford, N.Y Nashville, Tenn. Houston, Texas Dayton, Ohio Tulsa, Okla. Burbank, Calif. Hilton Head, S.C. McLean, Va, Hinsdale, 111. Carmel, Calif. Parker, Colo. Freeport, N.Y. Boca Raton, Fla.
Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed . Each date includes an exam, upgrade and CTC u nless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no ater than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accord ingly. Affiliate members: late cancellation fee — $75; failure to cancel — application fee is forfeited. Certified members: ate 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. ADDvantage/June 1996 23
Continuing Education Countdown '96 How to earn your points Listed below are both USPTA and non-USPTA events that are eligible for points.
USPTA events/activities
Points
Book/video reviews Certification Training Course Coaches workshop Divisional convention Divisional educational meetings National Convention Specialty Course (8 hours) Specialty Course (4 hours) Tennis Teachers' Course USPTA Schools of Teaching
2 2 2 5 1/2 and up 8 4 2 4 (per day) 8
Non-USPTA events
Points
CMAA Annual Conference First Aid and CPR IHRSA Annual Conference ITA Annual Conference NTRP Certification Clinic USTA Area Training Center Workshop USTA Sport Science Exam: Level I USTA Sport Science Exam: Level II USTA Tennis Teachers Conference USTA Tennis Workshop at The Super Show
5 3 5 5 2 3 2 2 (per subtest) 5 2
USPTA also evaluates and grants credit for course work pertinent to tennis teaching. Please note that, to be eligible, all events must be attended during the 1994-96 period. Certified members are responsible for submitting proof of attendance for all non-USPTA events. Don't overlook activities scheduled by your local YMCA, high school, community college or other continuing education groups that may be pertinent to tennis instruction. The following "Top 10" list contains some of the most popular non-USPTA courses, workshops and seminars that have been granted continuingo education credit: I
Business writing/ communications 2. Computer courses 3 Court maintenance and repair 4. Negotiating skills o o 5 Project management
6. 7
Public speaking Racquet stringing, gripping and repair 8. Stress management 9- Time management 10. Tournament management o
To have non-USPTA courses considered for continuing education credit, submit photocopies of the course description with the total number of hours completed, along with verification of attendance (a certificate, letter or payment receipt will suffice) to the World Headquarters. It will be reviewed by the national USPTA Education Committee, and written confirmation will be sent to you concerning credit awarded. For more information, call the USPTA Education Department or write via e-mail to education@uspta.org. 24 ADDvantage/June 1996
Specialty Course headliners Group Lessons George Bacso August 17 Maywood, N.J. Held both in the classroom and on court, this course helps familiarize professionals with the skills needed to run small and large group lessons. It begins with a history of group lessons, and covers lesson planning and preparation, establishing a theme and maintaining focus on the group while also addressing individual concerns. Group Lessons is highly recommended for all levels of teaching professionals and is also helpful to those who wish to upgrade their certification rating, As USPTA's Director of Certification and Academies, George Bacso travels the world conducting Certification Exams, Tennis Teachers' Courses and Certification Training Courses, His schedule often takes him to Japan, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as cities throughout Europe and the United States. He has given seminars at numerous national events in the United States, From 1978 to I98O, Bacso served as USPTAs national president. He also served several years as president of the USPTA Eastern Division. He has received the USTA National Education Merit Award and the national USPTA Professional of the ^ear Award. He holds a USPTA Master Professional rating. He was inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame in 1994-
Creating a Total Service Organization Greg Lappin August 24 Brainerd, Minn. In a competitive climate, the level of customer service that your business provides will determine your organization's success or failure. Essentials of a good customer service program are outlined in Creating a Total Service Organisation, which emphasizes employee training and service strategies. Greg Lappin is the general manager of the Rochester (Minn.) Athletic Club, a 200,000-square-foot multipurpose club containing 17 tennis courts, which he helped develop in 1993. He also founded the Flagship Athletic Club, an 18court complex in Eden Prairie, Minn. Lappin is a past president and former professional of the year for the USPTA Northwest Division. He is the author of the national bestseller, Tennis Doubles, Winning Strategies For All Levels,
Tension
Recommendations
from page 20 Effective players
Ineffective players
Situation
The ball approaches
The ball approaches
Interpretation
1 can control There is only one the ball even way to strike the if 1 am not bail aligned properly
Feelings
Calm, confident Tension and fear
Actions
Solid contact and followthrough
Miss contact, no follow-through
Results
Accurate and consistent
Inaccurate and inconsistent
The second pattern is related to the way students perceive time.
Situation
Effective players
Ineffective players
The ball approaches
The ball approaches
Interpretation
There is a lot of time
There is not enough time, 1 must hurry
Feelings
Calm, confident Tension and fear
Actions
Slow down before making contact with the ball
Over running the ball and missing contact
Results
Accurate and consistent
Inaccurate and inconsistent
The third pattern is related to the way students perceive energy and force. Effective players
Ineffective players
Situation
The ball approaches
The ball approaches
Interpretation
Power is not necessary for getting the ball over the net
1 have to hit the ball hard or else it will not go over the net
Feelings
Calm, confident Fear and anxiety
Actions
Shorter backswing, focus on a clean contact with the ball
Big swing, using the whole body and "fighting with the ball"
Accurate and consistent
Inaccurate and inconsistent
Results
Ease up on details of follow-through technique Allow and encourage the freedom to compensate for changing situations while emphasizing clean contact with the ball. A rigid stroke form is hard to attain, and can easily cause frustration and counter-productive tension. The details of stroke technique can be modified later, when a player s positioning, coordination and confidence improve and tension disappears. Use more game simulated drills, rather than feeding drills, which are often unrealistic. Change student's time perception Obviously, there is much more time available to these players than they think. Just before a student is about to hit the ball, keep using the following words in a dramatic fashion. "Slow, slow, slow" or "Wait, wait, wait" (as if you are pulling on his shirt to slow him down)
Change student's energy and force perception Say "Soft, soft, soft" or "Gently, gently, gently," or use zero force. Tennis has the reputation of being a difficult sport to learn. By reducing tension and easing up on detailed stroke techniques we can speed up beginners' progress and reduce their frustrations. They then will become more accurate consistent, confident and committed to the game. S?°
Rami Zelikovich, USPTA, is a tennis professional at the Harbour Island (Fla ) Athletic Club. He developed E Z Tennis, a results-oriented system that interrelates the physical, tactical and mental aspects of the game. It includes a computerised evaluation of playing litions
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ADDvantage/Junel996 25
Tennis Carnivals, equipment create enthusiasm for tennis "Mr. Rogers" has a whole new type of activity for chil dren at the Handlery Swim & Tennis Club. The Mr. Rogers Little Tennis program, run by Mike Rogers, USPTA, is for children, ages 3 to 7 It has been running almost every Saturday for one-and-a-half years, and children of club members and nonmembers attend. There is no formal registration — children just show up in the morning. Parents are welcome, too. Rogers puts them to work feeding balls and helping the children at the Wilson Tennis Carnival equipment stations. In addition to the regular weekly clinics, Rogers has special, free holiday clinics. He holds a one-day clinic the week before Christmas that is popular with the kids. Last year, more than 50 children attended. After the tennis lessons, Rogers sneaks away and Santa Claus returns wearing tennis shoes and giving away prizes to everyone.
USPTA Little Tennis™ is a huge success at the Hmsdale Racquet Club in Hinsdale, 111., where more than 85 children participate each week. "Every day is a tennis carnival" theme days with carnival music include: "Helium Balloon Day," "Hat Day" and "Bring a Friend Day." Each session is followed with reward stickers and daily snacks for everyone. The road to success began when the club held its free Little Tennis Carnival™ days earlier this year. It caught the attention "of the community and local child care centers with the help of press releases in local newspapers, mailings and hours of phone calls. "We are very excited about the interest in tennis that this has stimulated," said Mike Lange, USPTA, director of tennis at the club. O
Send in your Little Tennis tips or updates If your tips or updates are published in ADDvantage, your name will be entered into a drawing for a free USPTA National Convention registration. The drawing will be in July and the winner will be notified by phone. The name of the winner will also be published in the Little Tennis section of the magazine.
.'.'•.. 26 ADDvantage/June 1996
H
ave you ever wondered how you would fare against the pros? Could you win a few games against the best in the world? If these questions have ever entered into your mind, then you'll be interested in this list of the top 10 ATP Tour players and their Tencaps. Ten Cap Inc. decided to put the official rating and handicapping system of the USPTA to
the test. All the results from the 1995 ATP Tour were entered into the computer and processed every two weeks. The results were quite interesting! Please keep in mind that each tournament and match were weighted equally, whether it was a first round or the final. All players started with a temporary Tencap of zero, and only players who had recorded at least 50 sets were included in
this test. Also, these ratings were effective for Dec. 31 1995 and changed throughout the year. Note in the graph how the fluctuations occurred. Are the pros just a little more out of reach than you thought? Don t be discouraged! Just think, if your Tencap is near zero, then you could be playing on the tour. We also found the ratings to span just over 10 points, even among all the pros who had played more than 50 sets. The 125th rated player in our list, Aaron Krickstem, came in with a Tencap of 4-6 after recording 108 sets. It is also interesting to note that Thomas Muster, ranked third on the final ATP standings (which count only a player s best 14 results) ended up 16th on the Tencap list (which counts all results) with a rating of-2.6 with 252 sets. Ten Cap welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions-call (800) 9836227 s^°
Top 10 ATP Tencaps for Dec. 31, 1995 ATP rank
Player
Tencap
No. of sets
1
2
Andre Agassi
-68
201
2
1
Pete Sampras
-60
228
3
5
Michael Chang
-50
213
4
4
Boris Becker
-48
78
5
12
Michael Stich
-4.2
54
6
7
Thomas Enqvist
-40
Tencap rank
204
7
9
Wayne Ferreira
-36
96
8( tie)
8
J m Courier
-3.4
96
8 (tie)
6
Yevgeny Kafelnikov
-3.4
246
10
14
Arnaud Boetsch
-3.2
94
• ANDRE AGASSI M PETE SAMPRAS ^MICHAEL CHANG U BORIS BECKER D MICHAEL STICH
/
MICHAEL STICH
BORIS BECKER MICHAEL CHANG f
PETE SAMPRAS
ANDRE AGASSI
ADDvantage/Junel996 27
THE INTERJN ET The TlA, USPJA, ATI5 Tour, WTA Tour and USTA aren'f fhe only groups concerned about changes in tennis. In fact, there are more important people interested in the subject ~ the people who play the sport This is a series of "postings" from the Internet news group rec.sport.tennis. This column will feature a variety of attitudes, some with serious recommendations for changing the game. Hopefully, these letters will interest most of those who read Jem, and fhaf is why USPTA has dedicated this page to "thoughts about tennis from the people who really count."
~n a recent issue of Tennis Week, Andrea Leand had an nteresting article on the U.S. Olympic tennis team It _turns out that the ITF wi use the rankings as of Apri 29 for elig bi ity. Moreover, accord ng to ITF's rules, on the women's side, one has to "make herself ava lable" for Fed Cup in at least two years from 1 993 to 996 to be eligible. Neither Seles nor Capriati played Fed Cup from 993 to 995, but usua ly superstars are above the rules. One can argue that Seles did "make herself ava lable" to play in the 995 fina So most kely Seles wi play singles. The question is the other two singles slots and whether Capriati wi be grandfathered nto the team Another question is doubles. Apparently, Martina is still nterested but Gig Fernandez, the best U.S. doubles player, openly says she wi not team up with Martina because Gigi doesn't th nk they can win (with Martina playing). Therefore, if the USTA/B.J. King would ke to grandfather Martina into the team, they have to give up Gig , making the team even weaker It rema ns to be seen whether the superstars will continue to get specie treatment and personal connections will have priority over a "fa r" selection process. -•' / /
.-
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I wouldn't be surprised if Martina is picked. And I wouldn't be too disappointed if the rules were bent for her. When tennis first came back to the Olympics, Martina got shafted She was a ready committed to TeamTennis and the Fed Cup was held in the middle of the TeamTennis season. Fed Cup format was different then. The United States won severe Fed Cups with Martina teaming with Chris Evert and Pam Shriver It would be nice for this great player to play in the Olympics once in her lifetime. As for Gigi, she has a point, but a lot of usual doubles teams will be split since the teams are by country for the Olympics. I think she and Martina could play well together. It will be interesting to see what transpires. GF
A
n ace is technica ly a "quick serve " The goal of hitting an ace is to not let your opponent know when and where the ba is going to land, yet the USTA rules say it is legal to quick-serve
M. 28 AODvantoge/Junel996
To "quick serve" in the USTA rules means to serve before the receiver is ready. That's all. LL
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re all the racquets going to be long in the future? Just like when the midsize took over in the 70s and 80s, pretty soon you will not be able to buy one that is not "long." It's just a ploy by the1 manufacturers to sell everyone something new! J ; • \-J-- ,J'<", ,;yW:..
- i «i«:'l'
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Actually, if you ever took the time to demo one, the new racquets are unbelievably powerful and efficient The companies should push these babies. Give one a try and shut up.
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fter years of playing tennis, I've noticed how many players try to get the mental edge prior to and during a match with their comments, behavior and attitude, sometimes more ethically than others! For example, in a recent tournament, I watched a player argue with his opponent on two occasions that his let serve was actually 5 feet over the net! This was obviously an attempt to make his opponent angry and throw off his concentration, and not very sportsman ike. There is a fine line between clever gamesmanship and crude dishonesty and aggression Any similar experiences? What is acceptable behavior? What is not? How should we respond to unethica behavior? J.F.M
have a question about doubles that nobody know can figure out. My partner and I were playing a match when jDur opponents hit a ball very short and with a lot of angle. It pulled my partner out of the court He hit the ba around the net instead of over it know that is legal, but n the process of doing that, he stepped not on our opponents' court but out of bounds on their side. Who wins the point? J.G Editor's note: Refer to the USTA rulesbook, available from the USTA for $ 1. To order, call the USTA at (914 696-0300. Check out USPTAs "Totally Tennis" site on the World Wide Web at http.//www.uspta.org. USPTAs e-mail address is uspta@uspta.org.
. USPTA John Maginley USPTA, was recently elected president of the Antigua and Barbuda Tennis Association. He is the director of tennis for the Curtain Bluff Resort and owner of Tennis Concepts, a tennis-related company. WTS International has appointed USPTA member Bert M. Poole regional vice president of the tennis division. He will develop, coordinate and supervise the educational and testing programs and staff training sessions for WTS' yearround tennis staff. Peter Burwash, USPTA Master Professional and founder of Peter Burwash International, and Kathy Woods, national Burwash USPTA president, are the 1995 recipients of the International Tennis Hall of Fame s Tennis EduWoods cational Merit awards. The awards are presented annually to a man and woman who have made notable contributions to the expansion and development of the sport and demonstrated leadership in
such areas as instruction, writing, organization and promotion of the game of tennis. USPTA member Kevin McClure, director of tennis for the Arlington Y Tennis and Squash Club, was the winner of the USPTA Mid-Atlantic workshop and convention seminar contest. His topic, "Are You Wasting Your Timet" dealt with developing an industry-wide communication network through a voicemail system. Derin Riley USPTA, has )omed Bonita Bay Club as a tennis professional. He will organize and conduct group clinics, private and group lessons and other member programs. The USTA Western Section's 1996 Cap Leighton Award winner is USPTA member Tom Martin. This award recognizes teaching professionals who contribute to tennis in their communities beyond their livelihood. Former world champion Stan Smith, USPTA, was on hand for the kickoff of the city of Charleston (S.C.) department of recreation s inner-city tennis clinic. More than 150 children participated. Arthur Anastopoulo, USPTA, is director of the six-year-old program. With an initial donation
1N/C
of $ 12,000 from actor Paul Newman, the program has been able to introduce tennis to more than 500 youths. There has been an 85 percent retention rate
and many of the ]umors have started to progress to the tournament level, USPTA member Joe Dinoffer will represent Sharp Electronics Corp. to the tennis
1995 USPTA divisional award winners California Division Professional of the Year David Dantzer Male Player of the Year Dexter MacBride Female Player of the Year Natasha Pospich-MacBride Coach of the Year Wayne Bryan Touring Coach of the Year Robert \4nthof Male Player of the Year, 3 5 and Over Sean Brawley Female Player of the Year, 3 5 and Over Barbara Johnston High School Coach of the Year Ric Moore Community Service Award Mike Letcher District Officer of the Year Jamie Blatman District Professional of the Year David Hagler Male Senior Player of the Year Howard Luttrell Female Senior Player of the Year Judy Louie SCTA Special Service Award Hank Lloyd Eastern Division Professional of the Year Coach of the Year Male Player / of the Year Female Player of the Year Major Contributor
Jaime DeCarvalho
Tim Smith Alexandre Dias
Mary Mottola Daniel Burgess
San Diego Division Professional of the Year Eduardo Sanchez Male Player of the Year Frank Grannis Female Player of the Year Cammy MacGregor Male Player of the Year, 3 5 and Over Mike Fedderly Female Player of the Year, 3 5 and Over Cherise Meoli Senior Female Player Suella Steel Male Coach of the Year Ed Collins Female Coach of the Year Anne Meigs Outstanding First Year Carla Quaresma Outstanding service awards — Debbie Schroeder, Robert Bacon, Jack Movido, Clay and Tawn Babcock, Angel Lopez, Steve Schultz (Wilson) and Chris Hurt (Penn) Presidential recognition awards — Kim Stephens, Ben Pigorsch, Bill Bond, Mike Casey, Paul Kidd and Bobby Riggs (in memory) ADDvantage/Junel996
29
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action
industry, presenting the newest technology of the Sharp Viewcam, Since December, David Crouch, USPTA, has been coaching Syna Schmidle, the No. I 17-year-old from Germany. She has moved up 100 spots in the WTA rankings since January. USTA The U.S. Open will award prize money totaling $10,893,890 this year, an increase of 10.46 percent over the amount awarded in 1995 Men and women will continue to earn equal prize money, with singles champions earning $600,000 each. Manufacturers Several personnel changes have occurred recently at Prince Racquet Sports. The new national sales director for Prince Sports Group is Bob Fenton. Scott Winters was promoted to senior manager of Ektelon Racquetball, Linda Glassel is the new senior manager for sports promotions and Howard Lay is the product director of strings, machines and accessories. Wilson Racquet Sports recently expanded the staff in its footwear department. The new staff will focus on developing new technologies that produce game improvement performance in the tennis and walking categories. The following staff 30 ADDvantage/Junel996
have been added: Andrei Vbrobiev, manager, biomechamcal research, Heather McGowan, designer; and Brad Johnson, manager of international footwear. The following members of Wilson s current staff will assume new responsibilities in the racquet, tennis ball and accessories categories: Mike Dowse, business director, accessories; Brian Dillman, marketing manager, prestrung racquets; John Amato, senior marketing analyst, racquets; and Beth Hambrick, assistant, sports marketing and communications. Penn Racquet Sports has been selected to be a supplier to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Penn will provide tennis balls for the men's and women's tennis tournaments. Penn supplied the official ball for The Lipton Championships and the Arizona Men's Tennis Champion-
ships, both held in March. Crown Manufacturing supports the Professional Tennis Management program (PTM) at Ferris State University USPTA member Newman (left) has in Big Rapids, joined the tennis staff at Vestavia Country Mich. FSU uses Club in Birmingham, Ala. The club's new Match Mate matennis director is Jeff Raker, USPTA (right) chines exclusively in its program. Crown is Associations offering a special package The National Club Associato alumni of the PTM protion has launched an aggram a Match Mate gressive campaign to proCoach instructional matect the status of tennis chine, a Match Mate ball and golf professionals and retriever and special ingolf caddies. Two recent structional materials for a bills have been introduced package price of $ 3,200 in Congress that would ad(normally $ 3,499) For dress the issue of whether more information or to orworkers are classified as der, FSU PTM alumni employees or as indepenshould call Crown at (800) dent contractors. They are 251-6716 and mention H.R. 1972 and S.B. 1610. that they are graduates of Both measures would simFerris State and wish to plify the tests for deterpurchase the "Alumni Promining independent conmotional Package." tractor status.
Twelve USPTA professionals participated in the USPTA Laurel Oak Pro/Member Tournament in Sarasota, Fla, Thirty-two club members played men's doubles and mixed doubles with the pros. The USPTA members who played were Smith, Stevs Collett, Cmig McSmytbe, Jim Arvidson, Bmgoum, Zmtempowski, Wes Jowner, Byron Vickeiy, Bob MeNicboh, Jse Tourdo and Daw Ko^owski.
^v ac •I woman Inc. and Women s Sports Legends Inc. Known as "the voice of Wimbledon," Maskell served as a television commentator for the British Broadcasting Company for more than 40 years. He was a 16-time British professional champion and the 1927 world professional champion. As coach of the British Davis Cup team, Maskell guided Great Britain to team triumphs from 1933 to 1936. M.ore than JO children and Zy adults attended a free youth tennis rally in Lee Country, Fin., at the Fort Myers Racquet Club. USPTA. member and dub director Armor provided the dub's 10 courts and Cynthia Jeffcott, USPTA, organised the event.
The U.S. Tennis Court & Track Builders Association (USTC&TBA) will hold its 1996 Technical Meeting Nov. 16-19 in New Orleans, The meeting offers general and technical sessions specifically targeted to tennis court and track builders, design professionals and business managers. For more information, call (410) 752-3500. The Club Foundation recently elected two new members to its 1996 Board of Governors — A. Christopher Borders, general manager/secretary of the Atlanta Athletic Club, and John C. "Charlie" Kapp, director of national trade development and customer relations for the Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wis. Club Foundation officers for 1996 are WR. Steger, chairman; George Gasser, vice chairman,
Lawrence Bernhardt, treasurer- Richard Kolasa, secretary and James B. Singerhng, president. Continuing governors are Kenneth W Brown, Frank Dolan, G. Mead Grady, Laurice T. Hall, James Heggie III and Joe Perdue.
Courtside Tennis Club in Los Gatos, Calif, recently received the USTA's Organization of the Year award.
htacfitage"
Doubles great Rosemary "Rosie" Casals and the late BBC commentator Dan Maskell have been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies will be held July 14. Casals won 12 Grand Slam doubles titles and was a founder of the Women's Tennis Association. She plays on the Virginia Slims Legends tour and organizes tournaments, charity events and corporate outings for her companies, Sports-
Passings Tim Gullikson, former professional tennis player and coach of Pete Sampras, died May 3 He was a USPTA professional for seven years. Gullikson s devotion to his profession was surpassed only by his affection for his fellow man. He will be missed by the entire tennis industry. USPTA has lost a great member and friend.
CLASSIFIEDS SOFTWARE
Do you want new and exciting clinic formats and drills every week for the next 50 weeks? FREE sample. Call to leave address, (800) 569-4661.
EMPLOYMENT Miscellany
USPTA past president Gordon Collins is the tennis director for the club, which serves more than I 300 members.
HOW TO GET A BETTER JOB Bob Larson's magazine, TENNIS EMPLOYMENT, lists almost 100 jobs every month. Current issue $10. Bob Larson, P.O. Box 24379-H, Edina, MN 55424
EQUIPMENT JUMBO (18") CLOCK: OUTDOOR/INDOOR (battery operated) $36 + shipping. Contact: Ralph Flohre, 1286 Brigantine Ct., Virginia Beach, VA 2345420II/(804) 423-6737
Unique Sports Software: ffiMcompatible software for organizing, scheduling and running tournaments, leagues, mixers and team events. Special discounts for USPTA members. Call (800) 248-0527 or (501 455-0554 for a free info pack & SLIDE SHOW on disk. E-mail: DARRELUSS@aol.com.
TEACHING AIDS Have you ever rolled out masking tape for target areas, but it was summertime and the tape melted? The solution: ROPEZONE and AIRZONE systems with drill books. Free information. Call PLA-ROPE.
Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to (713) 978-7780, attn: ADDvanfage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone. No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. It reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion.
ADDvantage/Junel996 31
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FOR EVERY DOZEN PRO PENN TENNIS RAILS PURCHASED: discount directly to the USPTA Pro • 0$z! cash rebate to Pro's Division • Cy cash rebate to USPTA Headquarters These funds are used to help support programs for your association.
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ONLY USPFA MEMBERS CAN TEACH THIS INEXPENSIVELY. Penn is now offering Penn practice tennis balls at a very special price. Just $ .50 a can. Which of course is a mere $36 for a case of twenty-four cans. It's only good for USPTA members. And it is a limited time offer which expires June 30,1996. So, if you want to be able to teach (or practice) at a lower cost than non-USPTA members, contact your Penn representative today Or call us at l-800-BUY-PENN.
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