FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FACILITIES RACQUET TECHNICIANS TENNIS HISTORY

With the pandemic, Remembering a club To weave cross strings, A visit to the Hall
keeping accurate employee who raised nail the technique first, of Fame renews
records is essential everyone’s game then increase speed passion for tennis

CHAMPIONS
January 2021 / Volume 49 / Number 1 / $5.00

OF TENNIS
Our 20th annual industry awards
honor individuals and organizations
who are making a difference.

PERSON OF THE YEAR

USTA CEO &
Executive Director
Michael Dowse

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Contents January 2021

DEPARTMENTS
4
Congratulations to RSI’s
Our Serve
7 Industry News
18 Financial Management
20 Racquet Tech
2020 Champions of Tennis
22 Passionate Player
25 2020 Champions of Tennis
48 Your Serve, by Ed McGrogan
49 USPTA Addvantage

INDUSTRY NEWS
7 USTA hires Mickey Maule
PRESENTS
for Engagement & Services
7 Tennis Channel to be
CHAMPIONS
2020
American home of ATP Tour
OF TENNIS
7 USA Pickleball names

8
ITHOF's Stu Upson as CEO
Solinco launches
2019
Hyper-G Soft string
8 PTR partners with search
and consulting firm KK&W
10 Peoplewatch
12 California Sports Surfaces
launches Ultra Performance
12 Q3 racquet, shoe and string
sales at specialty stores
13 Short Sets MICHAEL DOWSE DEE HENRY TRACY LAWSON INNERCITY TENNIS
RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER ASHEVILLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION HILARY MUEHLBERGER DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
14 Lleyton Hewitt leads fan ALEX LEVITSKY CHRIS ALLEN KAREN RONNEY GUILLERMO “BILL” LUCERO

C OV E R P H O T O A N D PA G E 2 6 P H O T O C O U RT E S Y O F T H E U S TA / RYA N W E N D L E R
voting for 2021 Hall of Fame MASON'S TENNIS MARCY HIRSHBERG JIM WINTERS 2020 US OPEN
MILLER TENNIS CENTER JOHN BREKKEN ORLANDO PARKS & RECREATION JOHN BORDEN
16 Kurt Kamperman named CAPE AND ISLAND TENNIS & TRACK CLIFTON PARK KENDRA BECKER JENNY GRAY
Tennis Nova Scotia CEO USTA SOUTHERN

16 Mike McNulty leads slate

for 2021-2022 USTA Board

PLUS
p.49 51 From the CEO

53 Vice President's Message

51 56 59 63 56 Master Professional Corner

Certification 5 Reasons Novak How to Break Get Off the 59 No Excuses
Pathway Will Djokovic the Making Island and
63 Coaching Networks
Impact the Rules Men's Excuses Habit Get in
Job Market Tennis the Game 67 ThanksUSA

68 Career Development
Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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 OurServe
PUBLISHER
EDITOR'S NOTE JEFF WILLIAMS

A Passion That Runs Deep EDITOR

PETER FRANCESCONI

Among our Champions of Tennis, MANAGING EDITOR

SCOTT GRAMLING

having 'tennis DNA' is a key to helping CREATIVE DIRECTOR

IAN KNOWLES

this industry grow. SENIOR EDITOR

ED McGROGAN

ART DIRECTOR
CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

T
 
PRODUCTION EDITOR
ANDREA WOO

his issue, featuring our through college by stringing racquets SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
20th annual Champions of at a specialty store. After graduating, he BOB PATTERSON

Tennis awards, is a way to
highlight individuals who
have "tennis DNA."
I've been hearing that phrase a lot
lately. Some may call it having a passion
for tennis, a commitment to this industry,
gained valuable sales experience with the
renowned training program for the E&J
Gallo Winery—and that, combined with
his tennis background, put him on the
radar of Bob Shafer, who worked with Wil-
son Sporting Goods. Dowse joined Wilson
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
DAVID LASOTA, JUDY LEAND, KENT OSWALD,
CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS

or simply a background in this sport. But
the fact is, if you're dedicated to this sport
and industry, if you're striving to both
increase your business in tennis while
also increasing others' enjoyment of the
game, if you're going above and beyond in
volunteering for and advocating for this
sport, then there's a good chance you have
solid tennis DNA.
Dowse's background in this
as a sales rep in the Pacific Northwest and ASSOCIATE EDITOR
rose through the ranks, eventually becom- TIM McARTHUR
ing president in 2013. In 2019, he joined
the USTA. EDITORIAL DIRECTION
10TEN MEDIA
Dowse's background in this sport is
solid, and it helps him to understand RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
tennis and this industry from many 250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
sides. And that's what makes all of 646-381-8735
info@tennisindustrymag.com
our Champions of Tennis winners
special. They, too, have passion for ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
and background in this sport. We've JOHN HANNA
recognized these often unsung heroes 770-650-1102, x125
of this industry for 20 years now, and it hanna@knowatlanta.com

sport is solid, and it helps him
to understand this industry.
And that's what makes all
of our Champions of Tennis
winners special.
Certainly, our Champions of Tennis
winners have plenty of it. Take our Person
of the Year, USTA CEO and Executive
Director Mike Dowse. He started playing
the sport when he was 6 years old, after
his parents were inspired by the "Battle of
the Sexes" match between Billie Jean King
and Bobby Riggs in 1973. Not only did the
family play together, but Dowse's mother,
Jan, volunteered for the Utah Tennis
Association, eventually becoming presi-
dent of the UTA.
always amazes me how, when I look at our
honor roll of winners, many are still deeply
involved in this sport.
When Dowse started his job at the
USTA, he sought out others in tennis to
get their thoughts on the industry, and he
found common ground. "Everyone has
such a passion for tennis. They have the
same north star about growing our sport
and getting people involved," he told me.
And that, of course, is what tennis DNA
is all about.
Peter Francesconi
Editor
Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com
APPAREL ADVERTISING
CYNTHIA SHERMAN
203-558-5911
cstennisindustry@gmail.com
Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per
year: monthly, January through August with combined
issues in September/October and November/
December, by Tennis Channel, Inc., 250 Park Avenue,
Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical postage
paid in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices
(USPS #004-354). January 2021, Volume 49, Number
1 © 2021 by Tennis Channel, Inc. All rights reserved.
Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks
of Tennis Channel, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone
advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation
and editorial: 646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions
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Sports Industry is the official magazine of the USRSA,
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Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.

Mike played competetively at the

University of Portland, working his way

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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 IndustryNews

IndustryNews Information to help you run your business

I
INDUSTRY PEOPLE
ndustry veteran Mickey Maule Tennis Channel to be American
USTA Hires has been named the USTA’s
new managing director of
Home of ATP Tour Events

Mickey Maule engagement and services.

He’ll play a significant role in
supporting the engagement of providers
to Lead and players, with a focus on adding
value within a business-to-business and
Engagement & business-to-consumer framework.
Maule will direct the development
Services and implementation of overall business
plans and strategies, focusing on tiered
levels of engagement and value. He will
also lead the development of industry- Tennis Channel and ATP Media, the
wide partnerships that will include the broadcast arm of the ATP, have concluded a
Tennis Industry Association, racquet multiyear television and digital rights deal
manufacturers, retailers, large facility that will make Tennis Channel the exclusive
operators and other tennis organizations U.S. television home of the vast majority of
that are focused on growing the game. ATP Tour events.
Maule most recently worked at Tennis Channel will be the sole American
Wilson as the commercial director, broadcaster to all nine of the high-profile ATP
North America-Racquet Sports. Before Masters 1000 events. For the first time, Tennis
that, he was the national sales manager Channel viewers can watch all these events
for Babolat. live from opening day through the trophy
“I’m honored and extremely excited to presentations. In addition, the network will
join the USTA team,” said Maule.
S H U T T E R S T O C K ; M A U L E P H O T O C O U RT E S Y U S TA ; D I N K I N S P H O T O BY A N I TA A G U I L A R

have exclusive, live television rights to all 13

ATP 500s and 16 of the ATP 250 tournaments,
as well as the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.
IN MEMORIAM Through other rights agreements, the net-
work also covers most of the other ATP 250
Tennis Loses Longtime tournaments, the rising-star Next Gen ATP Fi-
nals and ATP Cup national team competition.
Supporter David Dinkins “Tennis Channel and ATP Media have
worked tirelessly for nearly two decades
to expand the daily TV, streaming and on-

F
demand coverage of this prolific sport across
ormer NYC Mayor David all popular platforms, and in doing so are mak-
Dinkins, a huge tennis fan and ing tennis competitive once again with other
player, died Nov. 23 at age 93. major sports in the U.S.,” said Ken Solomon,
Dinkins served on the USTA Board for president of Tennis Channel. “Our combined
12 years, and his keen vision and unique work with parent Sinclair Broadcast Group has
ability to listen, learn and bring people made Tennis Channel America’s fastest grow-
together played a large role in shaping ing network for the past two years.”
the USTA and enhancing its growth.
“David was ... a particularly bright USA Pickleball Appoints
light whose unparalleled charisma, ITHOF’s Stu Upson as CEO
peerless wisdom, singular grace and USA Pickleball, the national governing
heartfelt compassion touched countless body of pickleball, has named Stu Upson
lives,” said USTA Chairman of the Board as chief executive officer. Upson has more
and President Patrick Galbraith. than 25 years of senior management

January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

IndustryNews
experience, including most recently as
COO of the International Tennis Hall of
Fame since 2015. Prior to 2015, he held
multiple senior-level positions, including
executive director of the U.S. Bowling
Congress, senior vice president of sales
and marketing at Skip Barber Racing,
senior v.p. of Sports and Entertainment
Marketing at First USA Bank, and vice
president of business development for
8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
Major League Baseball Properties.
“With Stu's leadership and the
support of the board and staff, we
anticipate continued advancement of
the sport in growth of partnerships,
grants, sanctioned tournaments,
memberships and much more,”
says Phil Mortenson, board chair of
USA Pickleball.
“As pickleball has soared in popu-
larity due to its fun, social and active
lifestyle qualities,” says Upson,” we
will continue to create programs for
all players and all ages.”
Solinco Launches
Hyper-G Soft String
The newest string from Solinco is the
Hyper-G Soft, available in 16 (1.30),
16L (1.25), 17 (1.20) and 18g (1.15), in
both sets and reels for all gauges. HGS
is priced at $11.99 per set and $159.99
per reel.
Solinco says the concept in devel-
oping the string was to create a more
comfortable and arm-friendlier version
of HG, while maintaining the perfor-
mance characteristics of the string that
has made it so popular: spin, tension
maintenance, control and feel. For more
information, visit solincosports.com.
PTR Partners with Search
and Consulting Firm KK&W
The Professional Tennis Registry
has partnered with Kopplin Kuebler
& Wallace, a leading hospitality
search and consulting firm, to give
PTR members, their clubs and their
employers the opportunity for
enhanced education and networking.
Under the direction of industry
veteran Len Simard and the KK&W
team, programs will be designed
to help cultivate successful career
paths for PTR members and aid with
education related to racquets, pro-
gramming, facility management,
self-branding, leadership and career
guidance. There will also be informa-
C O U RT E S Y S O L I N C O
tion and programs to guide employ-
ers and professionals through the
hiring process and establish them as
highly educated, skilled candidates in
a competitive job market.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
www.tennisindustrymag.com September/October 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9
IndustryNews

People
Watch
At the Rolex Paris Masters tourna-
ment in November, Rafael Nadal
became the fourth men's player to
reach 1,000 match wins.

Michael McNulty of New Orleans,

the incoming president of the USTA,
and Susan Sloan of Lexington, Ky.,
will be inducted into the Southern
Tennis Hall of Fame in January.

Esteemed tennis coach Jack Schore

has joined the ProsToYou tennis team
as senior director, and will coach at
all PTY Tennis clubs in Maryland and
Virginia, including the Montgomery
TennisPlex in Boyds, Md.

Colette Evert, the matriarch of

a tennis family that produced five
children who were successful in the

#1
age-group and professional ranks,
including 18-time Grand Slam
champion Chris Evert, died Nov. 5 in
Deerfield Beach, Fla., at age 92.
in Crack
The USPTA has hired Michael
Repair!
Calendrillo as public relations
coordinator. He is a graduate of Full
Sail University with a B.S. in Media
Communications.

Longtime USTA Southern Tennis

Service Representative Mark Suiter,
who grew tennis throughout much of
NO Dead Spots Georgia, announced his retirement
effective Dec. 31. The Suwanee,
NO Hollow Sounds Ga., resident has worked as a tennis
NO Bubbling professional for 36 years.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Section CEO

Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro has been
TRU-BOUNCE™ recognized as an exceptional non-
profit leader by The Center for Non-
info@ritewaytennis.com | ritewaytennis.com profit Advancement. She is also a
1-877-5 RITEWAY (7483929) finalist and honorable mention in the
2020 Excellence in Chief Executive
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10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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IndustryNews
COURT SUPPLIERS
California Sports Surfaces
Launches Ultra Performance
I
CP Building Solutions Group
has announced the launch of
its California Sports Surfaces
(CSS) Ultra Performance
Series, a complete reformu-
lation of its Plexipave and
DecoTurf products. The company says
Ultra Performance “delivers excep-
tional abrasion resistance, improved
permeability, excellent coverage, a
streamlined color palette and other
qualities demanded in the world’s
most competitive sports surface ap-
plications.”
CSS Ultra Performance comes
as part of ICP BSG’s wide-ranging
reinvestment in California Sports Sur-
faces, an effort to affirm the brand’s
position as an industry leader in the
sports surfaces and flooring industry,
the company said in a press release. The
12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
ICP says the Ultra
Performance Series is
part of a wide-ranging
reinvestment in California
Sports Surfaces.
company says customers can expect
higher-performing products, enhanced
service and support, and faster, stream-
lined delivery, solidifying California
Sports Surfaces as a better business
partner around the world.
“Plexipave, DecoTurf and a variety
of other California Sports Surfaces
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we have committed to bringing new
talent into the organization, dedicating
resources to research and development,
and reformulating our products.”
For more information, visit
CaliforniaSportsSurfaces.com.
Tennis Racquet Performance
at Specialty Stores
Jan.-Sept., 2020 vs. 2019
Units 2020 417,850
2019 471,039
% change vs. ’19 -11%
Dollars 2020 $65,189,000
2019 $79,640,000
% change vs. ’19 -18%
Price 2020 $156.01
2019 $169.07
% change vs. ’19 -8%
Top-Selling Racquets
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars,
Jan.-Sept. 2020
Best Sellers
1. Wilson Clash 100 2019 (MP)
2. Babolat Pure Aero 2019 (MP)
3. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP)
4. Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7’20 (MP)
5. Wilson Clash 100 Tour/Pro (MP)
“Hot New Racquets”
(introduced in the past 12 months)
1. Wilson Ultra 100 V3 2020
2. Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP
3. Wilson Ultra 108 V3 2020
4. Wilson Ultra 100L V3 2020
5. Yonex Ezone 98 2020
Top-Selling Tennis Shoes
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars,
Jan.-Sept. 2020
1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2
C O U RT E S Y C A L I FO R N I A S P O RT S S U R FA C E S ; S H U T T E R S T O C K
2. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
3. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2020
4. Asics Gel Resolution 8’20
5. Nike Zoom Cage 4 2020
Top-Selling Strings
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date units,
Jan.-Sept. 2020
1. Babolat RPM Blast
2. Wilson NXT
3. Wilson Sensation
4. Solinco Hyper G
5. Head Velocity
(Source: Tennis Industry Association)
www.tennisindustrymag.com

Short
Sets
In a virtual presentation, Billie Jean King
honored the People for Palmer Park and
the Palmer Park Tennis Academy in Detroit
and with a 2020 USTA Community Tennis
Association of the Year award. The CTA was
founded and is run by Leonora King.
Nova Sports USA’s Ultra Cushion system
was the surface of choice for the J&T Banka
Ostrava Open, held in the Czech Repub-
lic in October and the year’s final WTA
Premier-level tournament. The surface
system features advanced elastomeric
cushion with low abrasive ITF category 3
combination surface top coat.
The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section reports
A New quality of court lighting
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continuing success in getting more youth
active, safely, through recreational tennis
programs. Following a successful summer
of tennis with more than 900 children
participating in TGA Premier Sports camps,
clinics and programs run by USTA Mid-
Atlantic, fall programs proved strong.
With schools in a virtual setting, USTA
Mid-Atlantic ran TGA programs outside,
partnering with local parks and recreation
departments.
Slinger Bag announced a five-year distri-
bution agreement with Sporting Brands,
one of Chile’s established tennis distribu-
tion specialists. The deal is the brand’s first
distribution partnership in South America.
LED SportS Lighting Manufacturing
IndustryNews
Infosys and the ATP have renewed their
partnership in which Infosys will be the
Global Technology Services Partner and
Digital Innovation Partner of the ATP,
through 2023. As technology partner
of the ATP since 2015, Infosys has been
instrumental in supporting development
of key digital assets and infrastructure.
In a 10-year deal, Foot Solutions is the
Official Foot Wellness Provider for the
Professional Pickleball Association Tour.
Wightman Tennis Center in Weston,
Mass., is working with management con-
sulting firm Beyond The Baselines to help
improve member communications.
January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13
IndustryNews
PRO PLAYERS
Hewitt Leads
Fan Voting
for 2021 Hall
of Fame
T
housands of dedicated tennis
fans from 140 nations rallied
behind the candidates they
believe are deserving of tennis’ ulti-
mate honor in the Class of 2021 Inter-
national Tennis Hall of Fame Fan Vote
presented by BNP Paribas.
Following a four-week voting period,
the results are in, and of the five nomi-
nees, former Wimbledon and US Open
champion Lleyton Hewitt received the
highest number of votes. American
doubles star Lisa Raymond finished
14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
in second place, and Sweden’s Jonas
Björkman, a former doubles world
No. 1, finished in third place.
As first-place finisher, the Australian
will receive three bonus percentage
points on his results from the
Official Voting Group, while Raymond
will receive two and Björkman one.
In addition to Hewitt, Raymond, and
Björkman, Spaniards Juan Carlos
Ferrero and Sergi Bruguera are also on
the ballot in the Player Category for
Class of 2021 induction.
Slinger Bag Partners
with Team Headquarters
Slinger Bag Inc. announced a
partnership with Team Headquarters
(TeamHQS), the portal for professional
athletes and teaching pros. TeamHQS
has established a community of 8,000
teaching pros, coaches and trainers,
and will oversee the Slinger Bag Affiliate
marketing program.
Through this program, Slinger can
reach a significant volume of its core
target consumers—avid tennis players.
In addition to the affiliate marketing
program, TeamHQS will be on site for
key tennis events including clinics and
tournaments, tennis demo days, junior
tennis tournaments, college dual matches
and trade shows.
“We are fortunate to have a respected
veteran tennis executive, Mike Ballardie,
CEO of Slinger Bag, to lead the brand’s
vision and operations,” says Ken Merritt,
president and founder of TeamHQS.
Visit teamhqs.com for more info.
SHUTTERSTOCK
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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Mike McNulty Leads Slate
for 2021-2022 USTA Board
The USTA announced its new slate of Board
of Directors, including the election of Michael
J. McNulty III as Chairman of the Board and
President. The new Board has been elected to
a two-year term that begins on Jan. 1, 2021.
McNulty, from the USTA Southern Section,
is completing his first two-year term as First
Vice President and third consecutive term on
the board. McNulty was a partner with the
law firm of Plauche Smith & Nieset, LLC. He
has recently taken Of Counsel status and is
considered one of America’s top attorneys
in insurance defense with specialties in
construction and product liability.
16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
IndustryNews
The Immediate Past President is Patrick
Galbraith of the Pacific Northwest Section.
Other officers for the 2021-2022 USTA Board
of Directors are:
• Dr. Brian Hainline, Midwest Section, will be
the first vice president.
• Laura F. Canfield, Middle States Section, will
serve as a vice president.
• Violet Clark, Midwest Section, will serve as a
vice president.
• Brian Vahaly, Mid-Atlantic Section, will be
secretary-treasurer.
Directors at large on the 2021-2022 USTA
Board are:
• Jeffrey M. Baill, Northern Section
• Kathleen Francis, Eastern Section
• J. Christopher Lewis, So. California Section
• Alan Ostfield, Eastern Section
• Emily S. Schaefer, Texas Section
• Kurt Zumwalt, Pacific Northwest Section
Elite Athletes on the new USTA Board are:
• Liezel H. Huber, Eastern Section
• Vania King, Southern California Section
• Megan Moulton-Levy, Mid-Atlantic Section
Kurt Kamperman Named
Tennis Nova Scotia CEO
Tennis Nova Scotia has named Kurt
Kamperman its new chief executive
officer. Kamperman most recently was
the chief executive of the USTA National
Campus in Orlando, Fla., the world’s
largest tennis facility.
During his 14 years as the USTA’s
chief executive of Community Tennis,
Kamperman oversaw the USTA’s efforts
to increase tennis participation in the
U.S. He helped develop and gained
acceptance of red, orange and green
balls and blended line courts to attract
and retain young players to the sport.
Kamperman has also served as president
of the TIA and the USPTA.
“I’m excited to join Tennis Nova Scotia
at this pivotal time when the association
is helping to grow the sport throughout
the province,” Kamperman said. “I look
forward to using my experience in de-
veloping community tennis to increase
tennis participation in Nova Scotia and to
make the sport more accessible to all.”
C O U RT E S Y U S TA
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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 Financial Management
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF
Surviving an Audit
The Paycheck Protection Program is
designed to help small businesses, but
accurate recordkeeping is essential.
By Mark E. Battersby
T
he Paycheck Protection
Program (PPP) was aimed
at helping small businesses
keep workers on the payroll
and pay other bills during the corona-
virus pandemic. However, confusion
about turning PPP loans into non-
repayable grants has resulted in the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and
the Small Business Administration
18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
both promising to audit all PPP loan
recipients who seek loan forgiveness.
PPP loans are loans that may be
forgiven if the racquet sports business
meets certain criteria, chiefly spending
at least 75 percent of the loan amount
on payroll and no more than 25 percent
on rent, mortgage interest and utilities.
Sweetening the pot, the Coronavirus
Aid, Relief and Economic Security
(CARES) Act allowed any amount
forgiven to be ignored for federal tax
purposes.
Certifying Use of Funds
PPP loan recipients were required
to certify that “current economic
uncertainty makes the loan request
necessary to support the ongoing
operations of the applicant.” What’s
more, any racquet sports operation
seeking loan forgiveness was also
required to certify they “used the
forgiveness amount to keep employees
and make eligible mortgage interest,
rent and utility payments.”
All certifications found to be inac-
curate or untrue are punishable under
criminal and civil law. Thus, many
business owners and managers are
concerned they will be on the hook if
they fail to meet all of the conditions.
Any racquet sports business, whether
non-profit or for-profit, that fails a
PPP audit jeopardizes all or part of
www.tennisindustrymag.com
their loan forgiveness and, potentially,
faces the prospect of False Claim Act
prosecution by the U.S. Department of
Justice. But, how can business owners
or managers certify to an uncertainty
and to what made the funds necessary?
In the face of the threat posed by all
of these potential audits and reviews,
surviving a PPP audit, indeed any
audit, obviously requires good records.
However, little guidance on the loan
forgiveness calculations or application
process has been provided thus far. In
the absence of clear, final guidelines,
borrowers should prepare now and
maintain meticulous records of how
the racquet sports operation or busi-
ness used the loan funds.

Accurate Recordkeeping
A good recordkeeping strategy might
include depositing PPP funds into a
separate bank account. Beyond that, all
expenses should be documented: utility
bills, rent statements, leases, cancelled
checks, bank statements tracing any
electronic transfers and other expenses
that qualify for loan forgiveness such as
health insurance.
THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO PLAY.
The PPP was intended to ensure
all businesses had access to sufficient
resources to keep workers employed
while weathering the pandemic. Bor-
rowers should not be frightened by the
government’s warning that audits are
inevitable, but instead prepare now to
ensure those benefits are not lost.
Beginning early, maintaining
accurate documentation, assessing
risks and considering the assessment
criteria, and preparing for a likely
audit from any of a variety of sources
can help every racquet sports business
withstand the added scrutiny. The
advice and assistance of a qualified pro-
fessional is also an invaluable tool. 
Mark E. Battersby is a tax advisor and
author in Ardmore, Pa.

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www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19


CUSTOMER SERVICE
Learning to Weave
Cross Strings
First, nail the technique, then work on
increasing your speed.
By Bob Patterson
Executive Director, USRSA
I
recently received this email: “I
am a slow weaver. Are there any
videos out there that can teach
the correct way to weave the
cross strings when stringing?
And, how can I increase my speed?”
Speed is an important aspect of
being a good stringer, but you should
never sacrifice quality to increase your
output quantity. It is always important
to maintain the quality of the string job
first and foremost.
We all want to string faster—and trust
me, you will become faster—but don’t
rush it. Start by learning and practicing
good technique. If you have good form
and good practices, then your speed
will increase. It’s like learning to play a
musical instrument: slow and steady is
a must, but with practice and repetition,
20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
Racquet Tech
you’ll achieve the right tempo.
Push or Pull?
When weaving cross strings, first
decide on a method that is both com-
fortable to you, and one that doesn’t
harm the string. There are two basic
methods of weaving: pushing and pull-
ing. Some stringers both push and pull
on the weaves, but most stringers settle
on the method they find most comfort-
able. I do both—I find some string/
frame combos are easier pulling and
others are easier pushing. Experiment
with both to see which works best.
You’ll find detailed explanations of
both methods in Section 7 of the USRSA
Racquet Professional Study Guide,
which is available at RacquetTech.com.
Experienced technicians can make
Experienced technicians
can make stringing look easy,
but make no mistake, it is
a learned skill. Speed
will come with practice
and repetition.
stringing look easy, but make no mis-
take, it is a learned skill. Many factors
can affect the degree of difficulty, such
as string type and gauge, as well as the
density of the pattern. But first and
foremost, you need to learn a solid
technique, before you start trying to
increase your speed. Speed will come
with practice and repetition. As you
practice, whether you are pushing or
pulling, your fingers will adapt to the
subtle movement of pushing up and
down as you guide the cross string
through the mains. You will build
muscle memory that will allow you to
do this task faster and faster.
Finding the Right Videos
While I don’t have a particular “go-to”
video for weaving, there are many good
ones available. Unfortunately, there
also are some poor ones, so be careful
what you are watching. Learning bad
techniques and practices will only hurt
you in the long run.
An additional technique that can be
useful, and which I highly recommend,
is the “one ahead” method. This tech-
nique, which is explained in detail in
the USRSA Racquet Professional Study
Guide, has many benefits, but the main
one is that as you do become faster,
there is much less risk of friction burn
damaging the string.
I also recommend that once you have
studied and practiced for a bit, contact
one of our Master Racquet Technician
(MRT) members who can provide in-
struction. They can observe your tech-
niques and give you guidance and tips
SHUTTERSTOCK
that will help you improve even more.
You can find someone in your area on
RacquetTech.com under the “String-
ing” tab, then in “Get Lessons.” 
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 LET'S
LET'S
LET'SBUILD
BUILD
BUILD
YOUR
YOUR
YOUR
YOURIDEAL
YOUR
YOUR IDEAL
IDEAL
IDEALSTRUCTURE
IDEAL
IDEAL STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE

SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR INDUSTRY-LEADING
INDUSTRY-LEADING
INDUSTRY-LEADING WARRANTIES
WARRANTIES
WARRANTIES

SUPERIOR
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BUILDING
BUILDING
BUILDING
INDUSTRY-LEADING
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ClearSpan
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structures
ClearSpan
structures
structures
structures
areare
structures
ENERGY-EFFICIENT
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future.
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BUILDING
BUILDING
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SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS ENERGY-EFFICIENT
ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Save ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Save
money
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money
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onon
a monthly
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a monthly DESIGNS
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basisDESIGNS
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andand
maximize
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profitability.
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SOLUTIONS
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Save
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onon
a monthly
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CONSULTATION
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andand
maximize
and
maximize
maximize
profitability.
profitability.
profitability.
FOR
FOR
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OVER
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OVER EXPERT
EXPERT
EXPERT
Industry
Industry CONSULTATION
Industry CONSULTATION
experts CONSULTATION
experts
experts
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staff
on
staff
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provide
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invaluable
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advice.
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advice.
FOR
FOR
FOR
OVER
OVER
OVER www.clearspan.com
www.clearspan.com
www.clearspan.com
40
40
40
40YEARS
YEARS
YEARS
Industry
Industry
Industry
experts
experts
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areare
onare
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METAL
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METALANDANDAND
FABRIC
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 Passionate Player
HALL OF FAME
Stepping Into History
In a time of coronavirus challenges,
a visit to the International Tennis Hall
of Fame renews passion for the game.
By Steve Pratt
I
opened two large wooden doors
off bustling Bellevue Avenue,
and suddently I experienced
the same rush of emotions
Charlie Bucket must have felt walking
into Willie Wonka’s famous chocolate
factory. As a lifelong student of tennis’
grand history, the International Tennis
Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., always
seemed so far away from my Southern
California base. But during a recent
work trip, I found myself just 90
minutes west in Hartford, Conn.—with
a rental car and 30 free hours. I had to
make the trip to this tennis cathedral.
22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
I stepped through the arched
entrance of the Newport Casino to
the immaculately groomed grass
“Horseshoe Court” and instantly was
transported back in time. I was at the
site where Richard Sears won the first
U.S. Nationals singles title in 1881.
I walked a short distance to the
museum, then entered the building
designed in 1880 by architects Charles
McKim and Stanford White. After a
COVID-19 temperature check and
signed waiver, I spent the next three
hours immersed in tennis history.
I yearned to get back that feeling of
deep love and reverence for the game
that had been missing for the past
seven months due to the pandemic.
While the USTA managed to stage the
2020 US Open, I was only able to cover
the matches for USOpen.org from the
confines of my living room, rather than
in person, as I had done for years. And
I missed playing the game, hitting balls
with my partner at the local courts.
But at this historic home of the
world’s largest collection of tennis
memorabilia, it all came flooding back.
In the first exhibit room, I passed
tributes to the 259 Hall of Fame
inductees from 27 countries. I contin-
ued through the museum, learning
about the beginnings of the sport and
marveling at the images and displays,
such as the one honoring the trailblazers
of women’s pro tennis. I experienced
interactive exhibits. I sat behind a mic
and called some of the most memorable
points in tennis history.
And I watched abbreviated induction
speeches from the stars of my youth—
John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Chris
Evert, Martina Navratilova—and
realized how integral they were to me
falling in love with the game. I teared
up as Tracy Austin graciously thanked
her parents for instilling in her that
same love of the game.
Next door to the Newport Casino is
the restaurant La Forge, established
in 1880. I sat outside, right next to
the Horseshoe Court, savoring the
moment, visualizing what tennis must
have been like all those years ago.
To my surprise, Hall of Fame CEO
Todd Martin emerged from the
museum on the other side of the court.
“Looks like you’re having a great time,”
he said. I lifted my glass and nodded.
He disappeared onto Bellevue Avenue
before I could tell him how my visit
had renewed my passion for tennis
and made me realize that not even a
pandemic can put a damper on my love
SHUTTERSTOCK
for this sport.
But, working in this hallowed place,
with its historic lawns, I suspect he
already knew that. •
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Raleigh Racquet Club, North Carolina - Conversion over existing clay courts
 CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S
CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2020

Person of the Year Junior Tennis Champion of the Year Youth Tennis Provider of the Year
Michael Dowse Tracy Lawson Kendra Becker
Phoenix, AZ Tempe, AZ Norwalk, CT

Tennis Industry Service Award Wheelchair Tennis Champion of the Year Adaptive Tennis Champion of the Year
Alex Levitsky Hilary Muehlberger Marcy Hirshberg
Fair Haven, NJ Greenwood, MO Alpharetta, GA

Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year Community Tennis Association of the Year NJTL of the Year
Mason’s Tennis Asheville Tennis Association InnerCity Tennis
New York City, NY Asheville, NC Minneapolis, MN

Private/Commercial Facility of the Year Stringer of the Year Adult Tennis Provider of the Year
Miller Tennis Center John Brekken Bill Lucero
Williamsville, NY Hopkins, MN Surprise, Ariz.

Municipal Facility of the Year Public Park of the Year Innovative Tennis Event of the Year
Richland Tennis Center Clifton Park US Open
Richland Hills, TX Baltimore, MD New York City, NY

Builder/Contractor of the Year Mass Merchant/Chain Store of the Year USTA Section of Year
Cape and Island Tennis & Track Dick’s Sporting Goods Southern Section
Pocasset, MA Coraopolis, PA

Sales Rep of the Year High School Coach of the Year PTR Member of the Year
Chris Allen, Putterman Athletics Karen Ronney John Borden
Chicago, IL San Diego, CA Germantown, MD

Grassroots Champion of the Year Tennis Advocate of the Year USPTA Member of the Year
Dee Henry Jim Winters Jenny Gray
La Mirada, CA Lemon Grove, CA Austin, TX

Park & Recreation Agency of the Year

City of Orlando Parks & Recreation
Orlando, FL

Thank you for all you do to grow the great sport of tennis.
From your friends at:

© 2020 USTA. All rights reserved.

 PRESENTS

CHAMPIONS
2020
OF TENNIS
2019

This issue marks the

20th year Racquet Sports
Industry has named
its annual Champions
of Tennis.
We created these awards to highlight the often-unheralded heroes of this sport
and this business—those individuals and organizations that
continue to go above and beyond in helping to make a difference in this industry.
Their stories and their service are an inspiration to thousands of dedicated
“champions,” who continue to move this industry forward every day.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO :

MICHAEL DOWSE CAPE AND ISLAND TENNIS & TRACK JOHN BREKKEN JIM WINTERS GUILLERMO “BILL” LUCERO

RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER DEE HENRY CLIFTON PARK ORLANDO PARKS & RECREATION 2020 US OPEN

ALEX LEVITSKY ASHEVILLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION TRACY LAWSON KENDRA BECKER JOHN BORDEN

MASON'S TENNIS CHRIS ALLEN HILARY MUEHLBERGER INNERCITY TENNIS JENNY GRAY

MILLER TENNIS CENTER MARCY HIRSHBERG KAREN RONNEY DICK’S SPORTING GOODS USTA SOUTHERN

www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25

 PRESENTS
CHAMPIONS
2020
OF TENNIS
2019
Person
of the Year
Michael
Dowse
Michael Dowse, Racquet
Sports Industry’s 2020
Person of the Year, is all
about collaboration. When
the USTA CEO and execu-
tive director started his
job last January, he imme-
diately went on a “listen-
ing tour,” reaching out to
more than 100 people in
the tennis industry to find
out about their issues and
concerns.
“I was trying to spend
my first 100 days just
listening instead of
acting,” he says. Then,
about 70 days in, the
coronavirus hit.
“We suddenly were in
a crisis—90 percent of
facilities closed and 90
percent of tennis pros
were unable to work."
Before the shutdown,
what stood out to Dowse
was that “everyone had
such a passion for tennis
and for growing the game,
but were all coming at it
from different angles,”
he notes. In an industry
that for years has been
challenged to work
26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
together for the good
of the sport as a whole,
Dowse found that the
industry now needed to
work together for its own
survival.
He acted quickly, spear-
heading the formation of
Tennis Industry United
to make sure key groups
were coordinated and
communicating with each
other. He helped shake
loose USTA funds for facil-
ities and teaching pros to
weather the downturn in
business. He maintained
the USTA’s commitment
to section funding. And he
helped push messages that
tennis is safe and healthy,
even in this age of COVID.
“Mike has brought a
real sense of urgency to
bringing together the
tennis industry by focus-
ing on the 'relief, recover
and rebuild' efforts that
have helped all of us move
forward during the pan-
demic,” says Craig Morris,
the USTA’s chief executive
of Community Tennis.
With all of this going
on, Dowse also initiated a
major transformation of
the USTA from a program-
based to a service-based
organization.
“The mission is to
promote and grow the
sport of tennis,” Dowse
says, “not necessarily to
grow and promote USTA
tennis.”
A key to this transfor-
mation will be the new
Serve Tennis platform,
launching in January
2021, with B2C and B2B
features.
In addition, he presided
over a major restructur-
ing and downsizing of the
USTA, as the organiza-
tion lost 23 percent of its
national staff.
“It was primarily to be
leaner and more efficient,”
Dowse says, “but it was
amplified to some degree
by COVID-19.”
Then there was the US
Open. He and the USTA
took a measured approach
to playing the world’s
largest tournament,
staying true to three main
principles: 1) Is it safe? 2)
Is it in the best interests
of tennis? 3) Does it make
financial sense?
“What Mike and his
team did in delivering
the US Open is nothing
short of astonishing,”
says Tennis Channel
President Ken Solomon.
“He was bold, strategic,
transparent and
communicative.”
Importantly, Dowse
remains committed to
funding the sections to
COURTESY USTA
continue growing tennis
at the grassroots. With
vastly reduced revenue
from the US Open, which
in 2020 saw net operating
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 Teaching pros are some of the most passionate people for our industry, says Dowse.
They’re on the front lines, and it’s important that we work closely with them.
We as an industry can be more successful at recruiting and certifying pros.
income down 80 percent,
leaving a net of about $40
million, the USTA still
is committed to funding
the sections for 2021 at 91
percent of the 2020 level.
“The things Mike brings
to the table—his tennis
and business background,
COURTESY RICHLAND TENNIS CENTER
his understanding of
the grassroots and how
important teaching pros
are to growing the game,
and the fact that he
wanted to be in Orlando,
where the action is—sends
a strong, positive signal to
this industry,” says USPTA
CEO John Embree.
“Communication within
the industry has improved
www.tennisindustrymag.com
tenfold under Mike,” notes
PTR CEO Dan Santorum.
“He’s helped bring this
industry together, getting
the right people in the
room and emphasizing
partnerships. I can’t tell
you how refreshing that
is.” —Peter Francesconi
Tip for Success
Make fact-based decisions,
using data, as opposed to
advocating for what "feels"
right.
Municipal Tennis Facility
of the Year
Richland
Tennis Center
With 16 courts and a recessed championship court,
Richland Tennis Center has a unique, collaborative origin.
In 1997, the city of North Richland Hills, Texas, and the
Birdville Independent School District worked together to
build the state-of-the-art facility on land adjacent to the
new high school that was donated to the city for a tennis
center. Now, operated by the City of North Richland Hills
Parks & Recreation Department, the school district as well
as hundreds of adults and youth players call these outdoor
courts home—and RSI calls it our 2020 Municipal Facility
of the Year.
Open year-round, RTC offers organized tennis programs
and supervised tennis play for the North Richland Hills
and surrounding communities. Its all-inclusive programs
are organized, supervised and delivered by USPTA certified
tennis professionals and include group lessons, private
lessons, leagues, drill sessions and tournaments for both
youth and adults. Richland Tennis Center also features a
generously stocked pro shop, locker rooms, meeting room
and concessions area.
“Richland Tennis Center is a cornerstone of program-
ming in Texas,” says Van Barry, executive director of USTA
Texas. “We can always count on a professional and friendly
environment with an eagerness to help grow tennis for
everyone.
“David Webb, the director of tennis, signs each email
with 'At Your Service.' That says it all!” —Laura Gilbert
Tip for Success
Be a reliable, “go-to” partner with your USTA
district and section, and you and your players
will benefit from key programming and other
initiatives.
January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27
 PRESENTS
CHAMPIONS
2020
OF TENNIS
2019
Tennis Industry Service Award
Alex Levitsky
Alex Levitsky may not
be a name most people in
this industry are familiar
with, but he has been a
fixture and key influencer
in the court design and
sports facility building
industry for more than
two decades. Over the
years, many projects
designed by Levitsky’s
company, Global Sports
& Tennis Design Group,
have received numerous
honors in ASBA’s Awards
of Excellence program for
outstanding facilities.
But more than winning
awards, Levitsky has been
essential in helping this
industry and its sports
facilities to grow and
improve. He has been a
presenter at many industry
meetings and conferences,
including for the Amer-
ican Sports Builders
Association, and he has
been a member of the
volunteer editorial boards
Tip for Success
Some people listen, and others are always
waiting to talk. To communicate best, take
the time to listen.
28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
for both the ASBA’s “Tennis
Courts: Construction &
Maintenance Manual” and
the “Pickleball Courts”
manual, working with the
USTA and USA Pickleball.
Levitsky’s influence in
the court building and
design field has been
extensive and forward-
thinking, and for all
he’s done to help move
this sport and industry
forward, he is the 2020
recipient of RSI’s Tennis
Industry Service Award.
To understand what a
client wants, Levitsky says,
it is essential to keep on
top of trends in design and
construction. “Just about
every client will say they
want a facility that is state-
of-the-art and ahead of
its time,” he says, and that
means thinking at least
two years out.
For now, let’s look back
at Levitsky’s great work.
—Mary Helen Sprecher
Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year
Mason’s Tennis
Founded in 1975,
Mason’s Tennis is an
integral part of the New
York City tennis scene,
and has thrived by provid-
ing exceptional customer
service along with a varied
and high-end merchan-
dise mix to its dedicated
customer base.
Owner Mark Mason and
his daughter, Dana, who
serves as president, faced
an unprecedented chal-
lenge in mid-March when
the coronavirus pandemic
forced business closures
and lockdowns through-
out the city. Although the
shop had survived past
disasters such as Sept. 11
and the 2008 economic
meltdown, this was a dif-
ferent kind of crisis.
The solution was, and
remains, to be nimble and
proactive. To that end,
Mason’s worked closely
with its landlord regard-
ing rent, sought disaster
Tip for Success
Use adverse situations as an opportunity
for reinvention.
loans to retain cash flow,
contacted vendors to deal
with inventory issues,
examined staffing levels
and cut expenses.
The business has proven
its resilience, and for
2020, is the worthy recipi-
ent of RSI’s Pro/Specialty
Retailer of the Year.
Throughout these trying
times, Mark Mason has
been adamant about the
importance of retaining a
positive outlook.
“Tennis is a sport with
built-in physical distanc-
ing, and many people who
used to go to the gym or
would play team sports
are now turning to tennis.
C O U RT E SY A L E X L E V I T S KY; M A S O N ' S T E N N I S
I see another tennis boom
in the making,” he recently
commented.
“I love this business and
am having fun thinking of
new and creative ways to
make my tennis shop bet-
ter and better.”
—Judy Leand
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 2020

The USTA congratulates our

CEO and Executive Director,
Michael Dowse, on his selection
as Racquet Sports Industry
magazine’s “Person of the Year.”
His leadership, passion, vision, and
commitment to the continued
growth of tennis have inspired us all
to raise our game. Congratulations,
Michael—well played!

Your friends and colleagues at the USTA

© 2020 USTA. All rights reserved.

 When your name is on the facility, you take more pride in making
sure your members are happy with the service you provide.

Private/Commercial Facility of the Year

Miller Tennis Center
When you bring your A
game, obstacles become
opportunities to shine.
This has long been the
guiding principle for
Miller Tennis Center in
Williamsville, N.Y., near
Buffalo—and it’s a big
reason why, amid these
trying times, it is RSI’s
2020 Private/Commercial
Facility of the Year.
“We’ve always been busy,
but [during the pandemic],
players came back with a
vengeance,” explains PTR
International Master Pro
Todd Miller, who along
with his wife, PTR Pro Deb-
bie Miller, have expanded
and grown the area’s pri-
mary generator of tennis
enthusiasm since 2007.
teaching pros, inspires
nearly 2,000 members of
all levels and ages. Behind
the scenes, recent invest-
ments have included a new
ventilation system and new
LED lights. Builder/Contractor of the Year
Building local infra-
structure, they support Cape and Island
colleges and community
groups, as well as offer
prize-money tournaments
Tennis & Track
for all levels, education for
local teaching pros, and The numbers speak for the award in 2002).
host the Buffalo Tennis themselves: More than Eldredge, who recently
Hall of Fame. 2,650 court projects (and finished up his term as
PTR CEO Dan 600-plus track projects, ASBA’s chairman, says
Santorum suggests a for that matter) across Cape and Island will con-
reason for Miller Tennis New England. Two tinue to be active.
Center’s exceptionalism: Certified Tennis Court “There’s a vested
“When your name is on Builders and one Certified interest in getting a good
the facility, you take more Track Builder on staff, product,” Eldredge says of
pride in making sure your in a company that has the work Cape and Island

COURTESY MILLER TENNIS CENTER; CAPE AND ISLANDTENNIS & TRACK

The club, with Marcus
Fugate as director of
tennis overseeing 20-plus
members are happy with
the service you provide.”
—Kent Oswald
been around since 1972.
Two employees—Gordy
Pierce and Kristoff
Eldridge—who have
served as chairman of the
American Sports Builders
Association, and a number
of others—including David
Moore and Eric Loftus—
involved in committee
work and as speakers at
ASBA meetings.
With statistics like that,
it’s no wonder Cape and
Island Tennis & Track is
our first repeat honoree as
Builder/Contractor of the
Year (the company won
does. “Certainly, our
activity in the ASBA has
been very helpful to us in
all of our work.”
One of the keys to a
recovery in these challeng-
ing times, Eldredge adds,
will be the ability of com-
panies to communicate
with one another and their
customer base.
“Right now, we’re part
of a lot of encouraging
conversations,” he says.
“It’s good to be part of
an organization like this
where people can talk.”
—Mary Helen Sprecher

Tip for Success

Serving the community, including Tip for Success
“competitors” and non-customers, may not Get involved in the industry. It will help
immediately bring you revenue, but it makes with awareness of your company, and the
your business stronger for the long term. industry will benefit from your expertise.

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Tk caption goes here
atempore velit odit ma
consequidel et etum
fugit excero videm
quis solenis eum
restOtam doluptis
mod est

Grassroots Tennis Champion of the Year
Dee Henry
Dee Henry was raised on
a farm in rural Indiana and
never had a tennis lesson
growing up. She learned
by hitting balls against the
side of a barn. Her passion
propelled her to become
a college coach, mentor,
NJTL director, Special
Olympics tennis coach
and Adaptive/Wheelchair
Tennis coach.
For her devotion to
bringing tennis to thou-
sands, Coach Henry is our
2020 Grassroots Tennis
Champion of the Year.
women’s tennis coach
at Marion College [now
Indiana Wesleyan College].
Three years later, she
transitioned to Biola
University in La Mirada,
Calif., and recently retired
after 49 years as the head
women’s tennis coach and a
PE instructor. She was also
an NJTL director for 35
years, teaching hundreds
of kids while mentoring
Biola’s athletes to become
volunteer coaches.
Coach Dee created the
La Mirada CTA to bring
Community Tennis Association of the Year
Asheville Tennis
Association
Since its founding in
1961, the Asheville Tennis
Association has strived to
be “one voice for Asheville
Association of the Year.
“We are proud of
introducing the sport to
many through our efforts
of recruiting and leading
volunteers at two Fed Cup
ties, conducting ACEing
Autism and Special Olym-
pics clinics, and especially
our Try Tennis Kit initia-
tive during 2020,” says
ATA President Jeff Joyce.
The ATA provided Try
Tennis Kits to 75 under-
served families so that

“I found an old racquet
and ball and developed my
game by watching tennis on
TV and looking at books,”
says Henry, who is a USPTA
Elite Professional. “I
never had a chance to take
lessons, but I know desire
with opportunity can carry
kids far in tennis and life.”
In 1968, Coach Dee was
the first intercollegiate
the sport to wheelchair
athletes as well as spon-
soring tournaments, clin-
ics and free lessons.
“I want kids to have
an opportunity to do
something I didn’t have as
a child,” she says. “Tennis
made a big difference in
my life and I love to share
that with others.”
—Karen Ronney
tennis” by providing a
culture that welcomes
players of all ages and
ability levels. The ATA
offers a wide breadth
of tennis programs and
events, and advocates
for the construction and
improvement of public
facilities. And its success
is why the ATA is RSI's
Community Tennis
C O U RT E SY D E E H E N RY; A S H E V I L L E T E N N I S A S S O C I AT I O N
they could have fun play-
ing driveway tennis during
the pandemic.
Continuing ATA
initiatives include free
and low-cost clinics for
youth, affordable adult
clinics, Sunday match play
for middle school kids,
adult tennis socials and
online tennis ladders.
—Judy Leand

Tip for Success Tip for Success

Creating tennis programs and opportunities Create an inclusive tennis culture that
for kids only takes a racquet, a ball and a desire introduces the sport to newcomers and
to help. It’s a small price to change lives for the helps enhance tennis skills for lifelong
better. players.

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 PRESENTS

CHAMPIONS
2020
OF TENNIS
2019

Sales Rep of the Year Adaptive Tennis Champion

Chris Allen
Products don’t sell
themselves. They are
sold by someone keenly
focused on the customer
experience—someone like
Chris Allen, president of
Putterman Athletics and
this year’s Racquet Sports
stresses that a foundation
for his success are the
relationships Putterman
has created with its
customers. The century-
old company is one of the
country’s largest suppliers
of tennis equipment for
of the Year
Marcy Hirshberg
The growth and popular-
ity of adaptive tennis pro-
grams is helping partici-
pants as well as the sport
itself, and one of the most
dedicated and tireless
supporters of these initia-
USTA Southern, USTA
Georgia and the Georgia
Professional Tennis
Association.
“Marcy has commit-
ted much of her time,
energy and resources to

COURTESY PUTTERMAN ATHLETICS; MARCY HIRSHBERG; JOHN BREKKEN/LIFE TIME

Industry Sales Rep of the
Year.
“Chris has an amazing
can-do attitude and is
so positive and pleasant
to interact with,” says
Laykold Regional Manager
Randy Futty. “Couple that
with his extensive acu-
men on court accessories,
indoor curtains, padding,
windscreens, etc., and it’s a
winning combination. He
is the first guy I call when
I have an accessory or
fabrics question.”
Unsurprisingly, Allen,
who transitioned to the
Chicago firm after years
working with Fortune
100 companies, does not
take personal credit, but
everyone from backyard
enthusiasts to the US
Open.
“We achieved this,” says
Allen, “by focusing on
the customer experience,
giving them consistent
quality and excellent
customer service on an
ongoing basis.”
—Kent Oswald
tives is Marcy Hirshberg,
vice chair of the USTA’s
National Adaptive Tennis
Committee.
Over the past few years,
Hirshberg has worked
to garner resources
for adaptive programs
throughout the South,
and the beneficiaries of
such efforts include the
Wounded Warrior Tennis
Program, the Laredo
Tennis Program, Abilities
Tennis, Special Olympics,
and Special Pops Tennis
(a nationally recognized
leader in adaptive tennis).
Hirshberg also serves on
numerous boards and
committees, including
advancing the visibility of
adaptive tennis through-
out the U.S.,” says Darren
Potkey, executive director
of USTA Georgia.
And for 2020, she
is Racquet Sports In-
dustry's Adaptive Tennis
Champion.
“It’s exciting to see
the growth in adaptive
programs and to know
how much more we can
accomplish,” Hirshberg
says. “The USTA is very
supportive of these
programs, which makes it
easier to grow them.”
—Judy Leand

Tip for Success

Tip for Success There are about 340 USTA registered
Focus on customers’ needs and always be adaptive tennis programs. Expanding
ready to adapt to their changing business these opportunities benefits all involved
environment. and ultimately helps grow the game.

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

Stringer of the Year
John Brekken
Earlier this year, when Minnesota
issued a “shelter in place” order, John
Brekken offered curbside pick-up and
delivery at Life Time Oakdale Village
in Minnetonka, where he is a regional
tennis manager for the company.
John understands that being success-
ful means focusing on the customer
experience—because it is something
he has always done.
As a young player, Brekken started
breaking strings, so his parents pur-
chased a stringing machine. Brekken
worked at the craft through high
school and college, was certified as a
USRSA Master Racquet Technician in
2005 and later became a USRSA Cer-
tification Tester. Now, as a regional
tennis manager for Life Time, Brek-

Congratulations
ken is spearheading a company-wide
program to encourage all of its string-

Congratulations
ers nationwide to become USRSA
certified. Currently, Life Time has 26
employees who are either a Certified
Stringer or MRT, with plans to more
than double that in 2021.
“Certification of stringers is
essential to ensure we deliver
Congratulations
an experience that matches the
expectations of our most passionate
to our 2020
tennis players,” Brekken explains.
Because of his keen focus on his Champions of Tennis!
clients along with his longstanding
efforts to promote the highest
standards in racquet service, Brekken Michael Dowse Hilary Muehlberger
is RSI’s 2020 Stringer of the Year. Person of Wheelchair Tennis
—Bob Patterson the Year Champion of the Year

Tip for Success

While we owe a debt
of gratitude to first
responders and essential
workers during this pandemic, don’t
underestimate how grateful players
are for a stringer who can keep them
out on the courts.

www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35

 Clifton Park is going through a revitalization, with strong support
from both the community and corporate sponsors at a time when the need
for people to get out in the fresh air for physical activity is so important.

Public Park of the Year

Clifton Park
Clifton Park, the former
estate of Johns Hopkins, is
a blend of old and quirky
(its bandshell was origi-
nally built in 1908), and
new and modern (the
Rita R. Church Center
has been brought into
the new millennium and
includes a renovated pool
and an 11,000-square-foot
gymnasium). But the real
star of the landscape is its
tennis facility.
Run by the Baltimore
City Department of Rec-
reation and Parks, the 11
hard courts were renovated
this past summer with key
support from the USTA
Mid-Atlantic Section, and
it is now RSI’s Public Park
from the community and
corporate sponsors,” says
J. Scott Laasko, chair
of the USTA’s national
Public Parks Committee.
“The park is an anchor in
the community and the Junior Tennis Champion
tennis courts have become of the Year
a significant part of that
anchor. The facility has
courts with blended lines
Tracy Lawson
for 10-and-under play, as
well as pickleball lines to
meet the needs of a wide As the co-director and and currently serves on a
variety of the community.” co-owner of Limitless number of USTA commit-
“These improvements Performance Tennis Acad- tees that are focused on
in Clifton Park will benefit emy in Scottsdale, Ariz., junior tennis.
everyone from all age Tracy Lawson works with “Tracy has been our
groups and ability levels,” junior players ages 4-18 of longtime Southwest
Baltimore City Mayor all ability levels. Her focus Junior Competition
Jack Young said during the is on early technical and Committee chair. She
re-dedication in October. tactical skill development started her USTA and

of the Year.
“Clifton Park is going
through a revitalization,
with strong support
“It will have a lasting
impact on this community
for generations.”
—Mary Helen Sprecher
with a game- and play-
based approach to foster
confidence, success and a
lifelong love of the sport.
Lawson’s dedication
to junior tennis is also
apparent in her multiple
roles as a USPTA certified
pro who has been selected
as a USTA Net Genera-
tion Coaches Ambassador,
USTA Player Develop-
ment Early Development
Camp Lead Faculty and
a consultant for USTA
Player Development Early
Development Camps. She
is a former president of
USTA Central Arizona
C O U RT E S Y B A LT I M O R E C I T Y R E C & PA R K S D E PA RT M E N T; U S TA S O U T H W E S T
volunteer journey by
becoming her kids’ coach
for a Junior Team Tennis
squad and has been with
us for nearly two decades,”
says Jeff Sikes, marketing
and communications
manager for USTA
Southwest. “She’s truly a
grassroots champion here
in Phoenix and one of the
best volunteers in the
country.” —Judy Leand

Tip for Success

Public parks are places that spur the growth of Tip for Success
tennis—where all people can come to have fun, Put the child first, learn and adjust every
get physically active and be competitive. day, teach (don’t babysit), and have fun.

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 CONGRATULATIONS FROM USTA NORTHERN TO
Racquet Sports Industry magazine’s annual
CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS AWARD WINNERS
Stringer of the Year:
John Brekken, Life Time Oakdale Village, Minnetonka
NJTL of the Year:
InnerCity Tennis, Minneapolis
A special congratulations to
Racquet Sports Industry Person of the Year,
USTA CEO and Executive Director Mike Dowse

USTA
SOUTHERN
congratulates USTA SOUTHERN
USTA SECTION OF THE YEAR
our 2020
Champions
Of Tennis!

2020

ASHEVILLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION MARCY HIRSHBERG

CTA OF THE YEAR ADAPTIVE TENNIS CHAMPION

www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37

 Tennis, says Karen
Ronney, "is like a
slice of life that can
reveal your personal
weaknesses while
helping you develop
strengths."

Wheelchair Tennis Champion of the Year
Hilary Muehlberger
Few of us would be
capable of turning
personal tragedy into an
entirely new lease on life
the way RSI’s 2020
Wheelchair Tennis Cham-
pion, Hilary Muehlberger,
did following a devastating
car accident when she was
a teenager.
A natural competitor,
doubles wheelchair tennis.
“I think there’s so much
to be said about adaptive
sports,” Muehlberger
notes. “The community,
and the full wellness of
body, mind, soul—the
whole thing.”
In July 2019, she was
crowned Miss Wheelchair
America, and her platform
High School Tennis Champion of the Year
Karen Ronney
With her motto, “One
shot at a time, one point
at a time,” Karen Ronney,
RSI’s 2020 High School
Coach of the Year, has
helped to positively
influence the lives of
hundreds of young players
and their families in the
San Diego area.
“Karen’s successful
her team to eight Eastern
League Championships
in 12 years, and produc-
ing five singles champions
and 11 doubles champions.
Ronney, a USPTA Elite
Professional and the 2016
PTR California Member of
the Year, also worked hard
to create team-building
activities and philan-

Muehlberger, of Green-
wood, Mo., turned to
sports as an alternative
way to find opportunity,
growth and independence
while fueling her competi-
tive edge. She was a soccer
player previous to her
September 2015 accident,
and sought out a more
accessible sport she could
excel in.
Though she had never
played a racquet sport
before, it was love at first
serve. She currently holds
a USTA national rank-
ing in both singles and
through her reign in
that position has been,
“Achieving Independence
Through Adaptive Sports.”
Despite all that the
athlete and advocate has
accomplished in just a few
years, the future is even
brighter. Some of her goals
include growing her tennis
career and competing in
the Paralympic Games, as
she continues to promote
her platform with adap-
tive sports and increase
education on inclusivity
surrounding the disability
community. —Manon Eilts
14-year career at Patrick
Henry High School is a
testament to her abilities
as a coach and mentor
to young people,” says
John Embree, CEO of the
USPTA, which earlier this
year named Ronney its
High School Coach of the
Year. “Through tennis, she
has taught life lessons to
her players and prepared
them to be successful con-
tributors to society.”
At Patrick Henry, she
has accumulated a 127–23
record in the CIF San
Diego Division, leading
C O U RT E SY H I L A RY M U E H L B E R G E R ; U S P TA / K A R E N R O N N E Y; J I M W I N T E R S
thropic initiatives, such as
giving sandwiches to the
homeless in San Diego
and volunteering in the
community.
“Tennis is a vehicle to
become an outstanding
person on and off the
court,” says Coach Karen.
“It’s like a slice of life that
can reveal your personal
weaknesses while helping
you develop strengths.
It’s also a lifestyle that
promotes fun, friendship
and fitness. What could be
better than that?”
—Peter Francesconi

Tip for Success Tip for Success

“I have the opportunity to shine a light Inspire, support and guide others to achieve
on the world of people with disabilities personal success in all areas of life while
and show that our lives are important and focusing on the present with a positive mindset
meaningful.” and belief in oneself.

38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

Tennis Advocate
of the Year
Jim Winters
For Jim Winters, tennis is the
driving force to inspire children,
Michael Dowse
create communities and change lives.
He helped the athletic department
at Gompers Preparatory Academy,
co-founded the San Diego Tennis
Federation (an LGBT organization),
and offered free lessons and equipment
to underprivileged youth. For a
lifetime of generosity, community
volunteerism and devotion, Winters is
RSI’s Tennis Advocate of the Year.
Winters fell in love with tennis at
age 7 and played for Southwestern
Community College. He had iconic
coaches to inspire him, including Vic
Braden and Ben Press. However, as
an adult, Winters struggled to find
an accepting environment. In 1982,
he co-founded the first gay tennis

CONGRATULATIONS
organization and is considered the
“Godfather” of the San Diego Tennis
Federation, which now has more
than 200 members. In 1986, he
helped create the Cal Cup, an LGBT

MIKE DOWSE
competition between clubs in L.A.,
San Francisco and San Diego. In 2009,
Winters became the athletic director
and tennis coach at Gompers, where Person of the Year
he secured donations for equipment,
uniforms, racquets and shoes.
Winters says his philosophy is to
"be grateful for what we have because
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
there are people who are worse off. Mass Merchant/Chain Store of the Year
Make a difference and pass it forward."
—Karen Ronney

Tip for Success

Tennis is a great way
to teach respect,
communication,
responsibility, self-confidence and
overall life skills—just be sure to find
those learning moments, and make the
connections.

www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 39


PRESENTS
CHAMPIONS
2020
OF TENNIS
2019
Park & Recreation Agency of the Year
City of Orlando
Families, Park & Rec
In this tennis hotbed of
a state, the City of Or-
lando Families, Parks &
Recreation Department is
continually working to im-
prove venues and services.
The crown jewel is the
Orlando Tennis Centre,
at a site in use since 1932,
which is now undergoing
an extensive makeover
and expansion that will
see a new 4,000-square-
foot tennis welcome
center/clubhouse with a
pro shop, meeting space,
locker rooms with show-
ers, along with other
facilities. Players will also
be able to take advantage
of 17 lighted courts (six
hard and 11 clay).
The department has
also partnered with the
National League of Cities
and the USTA to run pilot
initiatives using orga-
nized tennis instruction
Tip for Success
Make it easy for kids and adults to learn about
tennis and get into the game by providing top-
notch facilities and programs.
40 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
to promote children’s
physical activity and
social-emotional skills.
The program incorporates
tennis instruction based
on USTA’s Net Genera-
tion curriculum, as well as
coaching support into lo-
cal afterschool programs,
with the main focus being
to provide tennis exposure
to as many kids as possible.
“The City of Orlando
was a fantastic partner
during the National
League of Cities’ first-ever,
city-wide infrastructure
assessment,” notes Todd
Carlson, USTA’s National
Manager, Infrastruc-
ture Services. “The city
worked with the USTA to
identify opportunities for
improvement in their pro-
gramming, infrastructure
and overall impact on the
Orlando tennis community.”
—Judy Leand
It’s exciting to see
young players surprise
themselves and do
something they didn’t
think they could do,
says Kendra Becker.
Youth Tennis Provider of the Year
Kendra Becker
Kendra Becker has a
sweet spot for junior
tennis. Over her 20-year
career, she’s coached at
the high school level, led
community recreation
programs and developed
large junior programs
in both Illinois and
Connecticut. Currently,
Becker is the director of
junior tennis programs
for the Weston (Conn.)
Racquet Club, coming
to that position this past
summer after eight and
a half years as director
of 12-and-under tennis
at Intensity Tennis in
Norwalk, Conn.
“Kendra is a true profes-
sional and has a remark-
able record of developing
outstanding junior tennis
programs and play-
ers,” says WRC General
Tip for Success
Be a lifelong learner and stay active by
attending webinars, conferences and
symposiums, to continue to grow, improve
and better serve students and coworkers.
Manager Tony Zangrillo.
For 2020, she also is RSI’s
Youth Tennis Provider of
the Year.
An award-winning
junior tennis leader,
C O U RT E S Y O R L A N D O PA R K S & R E C/ U S TA ; U S TA N E W E N G L A N D /JA M E S M A I M O N I S
Becker serves as USTA
New England co-chair
for the Net Generation
Committee, contributing
to the creation of cutting-
edge junior instruction
materials. Certified by
the PTR and USPTA, she
was recognized in 2017 as
the Junior Team Tennis
Organizer of the Year, is
a member of the USTA
New England Section’s
Coaches Commission,
and was awarded the 2016
USPTA New England
Al Rogers Award for her
commitment to continuing
education in tennis.
—Peter Francesconi
www.tennisindustrymag.com
www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 41

NJTL Chapter of the Year
InnerCity Tennis
At InnerCity Tennis, it’s
about helping kids reach
their potential both on
and off the court, and to
activate the broader ten-
nis community to support
youth development. This
past year, InnerCity Ten-
nis’ staff, teaching pros
and dozens of volunteers
served 6,000 children and
youth at its Reed Sweatt
Tennis Facility (which
offers 12 indoor courts in
two large bubbles), and at
schools and parks across
Minneapolis.
But what sets Inner-
City Tennis apart, and
helped to make it RSI’s
NJTL Chapter of the Year,
was how it maneuvered
through the coronavirus
pandemic and widespread
social unrest by coming up
with unique initiatives.
Such efforts included a
Reading is Power pro-
gram that offers incen-
tives every week for kids
Tip for Success
A challenge is an opportunity for personal
growth. Focus on finding solutions and
being positive.
42 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
to read with their coach
mentors—mostly over the
phone due to COVID-19.
The organization also
produced videos that were
sent to parents so they
could work with their chil-
dren to build athletic skills
such as agility, balance and
coordination.
“This is one of the
toughest tests we’ve ever
faced as far as trying to
fulfill our mission,” says
John Wheaton, executive
director of InnerCity
Tennis. “We’ve learned
that we can’t make
assumptions on where
people are—we have to
meet them where they are,
be creative and innovative,
and keep kids active and
engaged.” —Judy Leand
Mass Merchant/Chain Store of the Year
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Headquartered in Pitts- racquets and tennis shoes,
burgh, Dick’s Sporting plus expert instruction
Goods is the nation’s pre- covering topics such as
eminent omni-channel volleying and serving—
sporting goods retailer, enhance the overall pre-
operating 726 doors sentation. Dick’s Sporting
across the U.S. as well as Goods currently has more
an extensive ecommerce
site. The retailer’s Tennis
& Racquet Equipment
than 20 million loyalty
program members, offers a
Best Price Guarantee, and
department offers a full has one-hour curbside or
assortment of racquets, in-store pickup.
balls, apparel and foot- The company, whose
wear—as well as nets, annual revenue for 2019
court equipment and was $8.437 billion, says
stringing machines. This it strives to provide
range includes “good,” a seamless shopping
C O U R T E S Y I N N E R C I T Y T E N N I S ; D I C K ' S S P O R T I N G G O O D S ; U S T A S O U T H W E S T/ B I L L L U C E R O
“better” and “best” price experience online and in-
points to address consum- store. Since the beginning
ers of all ability levels, thus of the pandemic, Dick’s
allowing Dick’s to differen- has added millions of first-
tiate itself with its rivals. time customers, mostly
Online, “Pro Tips”— through its e-commerce
such as how to buy platform. —Judy Leand
Tip for Success
Increase physical and online consumer
traffic by providing an extensive product
assortment via in-store services and
specialty shop-in-shops, and a content-
rich ecommerce platform that is integrated
with the store network.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 Congratulations
Mike Dowse, USTA CEO
Adult Tennis Champion Person of the Year
of the Year
Guillermo
‘Bill’ Lucero Cape and Island Tennis & Track
Pocasset, MA
Builder/Contractor of the Year
From very early mornings to very
late nights, a never-ending list of
chores, hundreds of emails, and Kendra Becker
weather and other delays, running an Norwalk, CT
adult tennis tournament can be a very
stressful assignment. Youth Tennis Provider of the Year
But when managed well, it can also
be raised to something of an art form.
And that’s what makes Guillermo
“Bill” Lucero of Goodyear, Ariz., a
Michelangelo in the tournament
directing space—and makes him
RSI’s Adult Tennis Champion of the
Year. Lucero, the City of Surprise’s
manager of Sports & Tourism, has
been running successful and award-
winning tennis events of all levels for
adults for the last two decades.
Lucero cut his teeth with the
USTA in El Paso as a community
coordinator in 1999, and his
proficiency with adult events led
him to the role of Section League
Coordinator for USTA Southwest in
2007. He left the USTA Southwest in
2011 to manage the Surprise Tennis &
Racquet Complex.
As a volunteer, Lucero has spear-
headed national committees and run
hundreds of adult events. He leads his
events with experience and compe-
tency, a little humor and a deft touch
with the people who mean the most—
the event’s players. —Jeff Sikes

Tip for Success

Always try to make your
event a fun, memorable
experience for everyone
involved. Be prepared,
be flexible and value
everyone’s time and
energy.

www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 43

 Tk caption goes here
atempore velit odit ma
consequidel et etum
fugit excero videm
quis solenis eum
restOtam doluptis
mod est

Innovative Tennis Event of the Year PTR Member of the Year

2020 US Open
Back in the early spring
of this pandemic-addled
year, the idea of staging
the US Open, the largest
professional tennis tour-
nament in the world, was
unthinkable. But thanks to
unprecedented and rapid
innovation spearheaded
by the USTA, the event
was a resounding success.
Leading the charge on
the ground was Stacey Al-
laster, USTA Chief Execu-
tive, Professional Tennis,
and the first woman to
serve as US Open Tour-
nament Director in the
event’s 140-year history.
To hold the tournament,
the mitigation of risk from
COVID-19 was key. This
necessitated advance-
ments in connectivity and
tion of workers on-site
(from 11,000 in previous
years to 3,000 in 2020),
and led to new health and
safety guidelines, expand-
ed player services, and
virtual fan engagement
on-air and online. For
those who had to be on-
site, RFID technology in
the form of a chip placed
on each credential allowed
for consistent physical dis-
tancing and the tracking of
capacity in locations such
as locker rooms, player
lounges and fitness areas.
RFID also provided data
on positive coronavirus
tests and contact tracing.
“This was a complex
challenge, and the US Open
was the largest event to be
staged in the world during
John Borden
John Borden’s career
is all about helping
youngsters grow through
tennis. He currently is the
chief operations officer
and executive in charge
of the Washington Tennis
& Education Foundation,
an NJTL in Washington,
D.C. He’s responsible for
all WTEF operations while
keeping true to the mission
of the organization, which
and passionate individu-
als I know,” says PTR CEO
Dan Santorum. “He has
been a willing and active
contributor in helping
PTR to achieve its strate-
gic goals in such areas as
diversity, accreditation
and coach education.”
For 2020, Borden is
RSI’s PTR Member of the
Year.
Borden, of Germantown,
Md., ensures WTEF helps
youngsters achieve their
highest potential through
academics, life skills and
tennis instruction. Prior
to his current role, he was
general manager at the
Junior Tennis Champions
Center in College Park, Md.
A former Division I ath-
lete at Villanova, Borden is
C O U RT E S Y U S TA ; P T R /J O H N B O R D E N

remote operations that
flowed from centralized
hubs in White Plains, N.Y.,
and Orlando, Fla., as well
as in peoples’ homes. The
shift enabled the reduc-
the pandemic,” says Allaster.
“We were in new territory
and were managing without
a playbook, but we proved it
can be done safely.”
—Judy Leand
is to build life champions
and provide kids with a
safe environment where
they can excel.
“John is one of the most
knowledgeable, thoughtful
a graduate of the Howard
University School of Law.
Earlier this year, he was
named PTR Maryland
Member of the Year.
—Lauren Hoffmann

Tip for Success Tip for Success

Find and develop new ways of using No matter how grim the situation,
technology to streamline operations, opportunities for growth exist—you just
engage fans and enhance safety. have to be willing to find them.

44 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 ,
IF YOU RE A TEACHING PRO,
,
YOU RE THE KEY TO IT ALL

MOVE TENNIS FORWARD

As a teaching pro, you have to be out ahead. The USPTA, PTR

and USTA have joined forces to help you build your career. Get
new skills, education, Safe Play and advanced certification.
We’re investing in you, together we’re investing in the game.
Learn more at usta.com/movetennisforward

© 2020 USTA. All rights reserved.

 It is essential to know each of your employee’s strengths, then utilize those
strengths to create a well-rounded, quality program. Players quickly
realize there is someone on the staff to meet their individual needs.

USTA Section of the Year

USTA Southern

USPTA Member of the Year

Jenny Gray
Jenny Gray of Austin,
Texas, has been extremely
busy in recent years.
From organizing USPTA
and USTA tournaments,
to running the tennis
programs at two clubs,
to dealing with the
challenges stemming
from the coronavirus
pandemic—in addition to
her many leadership roles
within the USPTA—Gray
meets and defeats every
challenge.
Earlier this year, Gray
was named the USPTA’s
Alex Gordon Professional
of the Year, and for RSI,
she is our 2020 USPTA
Member of the Year.
Gray directed 13 sanc-
tioned and unsanctioned
tournaments across the
Championships and the
USPTA World Champion-
ships in Las Vegas. Within
her own club, she hosted In April, the USTA the Southern tennis com-
her 16th annual Rally for Southern Section's munity.”
the Cure, the DGG Ladies response to COVID-19 The section organized
Cup, Davis Cup Member/ was swift and effective. a two-week virtual
Guest and a holiday event The board voted to fund a Community Tennis
benefiting Toys for Tots, new initiative, Southern Development Workshop;
among others. Cares, to support those conducted three Junior
With the pandemic, affected by the pandemic, Tournament Town Halls;
most of Gray’s 2020 awarding $811,009 to 920 hosted virtual happy hours
tournaments were recipients in the section, to connect volunteers
cancelled, so she created including teaching pros, and staff with high-profile
new events and programs facilities, NJTLs, CTAs, guests; helped develop
for smaller group sizes to tournament directors and an app allowing safe
comply with city, county local league coordinators. tournament check-in; and
and state requirements. “Our board, with the sent out 1,700 racquets for
Within the USPTA, Gray support of section and starter programs.
served on the Executive state volunteers and staff, Comprised of nine
Committee for seven years has worked hard to sup- states, Southern is the
and was president of the port our tennis profes- USTA’s largest section,
USPTA Texas Division for sionals and family,” says recently surpassing 25
three years. She says she USTA Southern President percent of the USTA’s total
and CEO Bonnie Vande- membership. It’s also RSI’s
COURTESY USPTA; USTA SOUTHERN

country last year, includ- likes being involved with

ing the USPTA Texas La- the USPTA to be a part of grift. “Additionally, we’ve 2020 USTA Section of the
dies Champion of Cham- “something bigger than raised the bar with a num- Year, the third time it’s
pions Cup, the USPTA ourselves.” ber of digital programs held this honor (2003 and
National Hard Court —Peter Francesconi and assets to connect with 2010). —Peter Francesconi

Tip for Success Tip for Success

Make sure everyone on your staff knows that Do all you can to support grassroots
they are an important part of the team. Know tennis providers, especially when times
each of your employee’s strengths. are tough. Develop and offer digital
innovations to stay in touch and informed.

46 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

2020 STATEMENT OF 8. Complete mailing address of e. Total 12,608 12,457
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www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 47


TRUE CHAMPION
A Lasting Impression
Sharon Sheahan helped shape the
character of a tennis club from the
moment someone stepped inside.
By Ed McGrogan
T
here were two things I saw,
without fail, each time
I walked into the Four
Seasons Racquet Club for
my Tuesday night singles
league. There was Jeopardy!, playing
on the television, and there was Sharon
Sheahan, standing behind the front desk.
Like Alex Trebek, Sharon had all the
answers.
The term “receptionist” doesn’t do
Sharon justice—not when she kept a
popular tennis club in Fairfield County,
Conn., humming at all hours of the
day and night. Four Seasons attracts a
healthy clientele of all ages and boasts
a vibrant league scene; it’s a constantly
revolving door of players, parents and
partakers. Like an air-traffic controller,
there’s a language native to this busy
environment, and a comfort needed to
48 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY January 2021
Your Serve
field any question—especially the ones
you never thought would be asked.
A job description can never truly
describe what a position entails, but that
was never an issue for Sharon, who spent
11 years working at the club.
“The desk person is one of the most
important people at the club,” says Greg
Moran, the owner and director of tennis
at Four Seasons. “They’re the first person
people see when they come in the door
and they truly set the tone of the club.
Sharon had a personality that drew
people to her.”
She drew, too. Art was Sharon’s prima-
ry passion, throughout her studies in the
1970s and for the next four decades. She
“loved taking in all the beauty around
her,” wrote her daughter, Julia. “She gave
so much of this beauty back in her pencil
portraits and paintings.”
During her time at Four Seasons, she
also grew to play and love tennis.
“Our league organizers would send
Sharon the lineups each week, and she
would always check out the matchups,”
says Moran. “Her shift would end at 8:30
or 9 p.m., but she would often stay until
10, 11 o’clock just to watch the matches.
“It’s a challenging task to maintain a
'club' atmosphere these days,” Moran
continues. “More than ever, that front-
desk person plays a huge role in helping
people feel welcomed, valued and safe.”
In October, the Four Seasons family
was rocked with the news that Sharon
had unexpectedly passed, at 66, from a
non-COVID-related illness. Her warmth
and humor will be sorely missed. An
anonymous club member has planted a
tree in Sharon’s memory, with Rose of
Sharons to be added to the memorial.
Since Sharon’s passing, an overwhelm-
PHOTOS COURTESY MIKE AND GREG MORAN
ing number of members have sent notes
to the club expressing their sadness and
how special Sharon made them feel when
they visited. This is my contribution.
This issue showcases our sport’s
champions at the recreational level—the
Roger Federers of retail; the Serena
Williamses of service. Unlike Roger
or Serena, these award winners aren’t
global celebrities, but they are lauded
for how they ply their trades at a local
level. For the tri-state tennis community,
Sharon Sheahan was an unmistakable
presence. •
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 January 2021

Impacting the
Job Market CEO John Embree
pg. 51

Never Forget those

that “Brung” You
Vice President Lane Evans
pg. 53

5 Reasons Djokovic
Rules Men’s Tennis
USPTA Master Professional Bill Tym
pg. 56

Get Off the Island &

Get In the Game
USPTA Elite Professional Amanda Fink
pg. 63
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Impacting the Job Market
O ver the course of the last 12-18
months, I have used this platform
to communicate the paradigm shift that
the USPTA is undergoing to certify tennis
teaching professionals. Gone are the days
when a new applicant only had to take a
six-hour on-line course and then pass a
certification exam over a two-day period.
Starting January 1, 2021, the USPTA,
along with the USTA, have launched
a new certification pathway that will
truly “elevate the standards of tennis
teaching professionals and coaches” (our
mission statement). The requirements
to become a newly certified tennis
teaching professional are now much more
stringent and robust. Anyone who wishes
to become certified must now have 6-12
months of experiential learning (under
the tutelage of a Certification Advisor),
along with a comprehensive and extensive
package of face-to-face workshops and
on-line education.
While the prospects of changing our
protocols for certification are exciting, it is
daunting as well. We realize that we must
improve the training of tennis professionals
so that the consumer experience on court
is positive, which in turn will keep people
playing and make them life-long advocates.
However, if employers, club owners, and
managers do not embrace this change and
make a commitment to hire certified tennis
teaching professionals, or encourage their
tennis staff to maintain their continuing
education credits and reinstate their
membership, why are we going through
this transformation to change the model
for certification? At the end of the day, if
our “bosses” do not think it important
enough to have their tennis staff certified
From the CEO USPTA
John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
and members in good standing with their
respective professional trade association,
why bother?
Would a country club ever consider
employing a golf professional staff that was
not PGA certified? The answer is obviously
“no!” Why should it be any different for
tennis? It is imperative that country club
boards/managers, commercial owners
and parks and rec facilities be made aware
of this monumental shift and understand
the value of certification. They should be
required to:
1. Hire tennis-teaching professionals
who are certified from a fully
accredited organization.
2. Ensure that their current staff has
not let their membership lapse –
get them to reinstate!
3. Follow-up with each professional
to ascertain whether they have
complied with their continuing
education requirements.
4. Absolutely require that every
professional be Safe Play trained
and background checked. It is
the solemn duty of every club/
facility to do everything possible to
protect clients and their children
from any potential harm
or abuse while participating in
tennis activities or programs.
We are not asking much. On the surface,
this would seem rudimentary. Yet, we have
so many clubs and commercial facilities
that have not made this a priority. We need
all USPTA members to support this new
initiative to build a cadre of tennis teaching
professionals that are of higher quality and
January 2021
that have been better trained. Who does
not want that?
Coming on the heels of a challenging
2020, 2021 is destined to be just as difficult.
Even as we navigate the new norm, both
in terms of the pandemic and our more
rigorous standards, tennis is positioned
well because of the safe environment and
the social distancing that is inherent in our
sport. Fortunately, tennis is experiencing
a “mini” boom during the last half of 2020
with activity and programming better than
those seen pre-pandemic. Let’s capture
the new players who are experiencing
tennis for the first time while encouraging
those that are coming back to our game
to stay involved. Just as golf has seen a
spike in interest since last spring, tennis is
experiencing the same. That is good news
for our professionals, for all facilities and
for the overall tennis ecosystem.
Don’t think that this important
challenge will suddenly happen overnight.
It is going to take years to educate
employers to take this seriously and to
make it a part of their hiring practices. But,
we have to start somewhere. Now is as good
a time as any…
If you have any questions about the above
or care to talk more about what is going
on in your facility or market, please do not
hesitate to pick up the phone and connect
with me. I look forward to speaking. Thanks
for your support of the USPTA. *
john.embree@uspta.org
407-634-3063
ADDvantage Magazine - 51
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Never Forget those
that “Brung” You
Lane Evans, USPTA Vice President
D uring these historic and extremely
difficult times, I have found great
solace, gratefulness, and peace through
the reflection of our great game of tennis
— how it has come to my life and those
who have made my tennis career what
it is today. Tennis has always been like
an old friend to me. I can call it up any
time of the day, month, or year and it will
always be there. Tennis has shaped me as
a person and as a professional. Other than
my father, who is still with us at 92 years
young, it is the longest relationship I’ve
had in my lifetime.
I have built friendships through tennis
that are over 40 years old. Sure, at times,
it has been a love-hate relationship, but
we always seem to work things out and
move on.
In the past six months, I have been re-
invented again. Those of you that know me
well know what I am talking about. In May,
I began teaching part-time at Westwood
Tennis Center in Norman, OK. My goal was
to instruct a few hours per week to keep my
skills sharp and make a few extra bucks.
However, something happened. Students
came out of the woodwork. Beginners,
juniors, intermediate players, USTA teams
and even a few high-performance players
showed up. Suddenly, I found myself neck-
deep in another five-alarm tennis career.
It dawned on me that my experience
as a Master USPTA Professional has
limitless possibilities. I am having an
impact on all these players. They look
forward to learning from me because I am
an educator, and I have what they want.
Vice President’s Message USPTA
Being a teacher is extremely powerful and
rewarding. It is also very prideful and gives
me great joy.
After a hard day off the courts, my
mood is uplifted — and my emotion and
passion for teaching tennis bubbles to the
surface when I walk on the court. It is a
fantastic transformation. Tears often well
up in my eyes as I watch the successes of
my players — especially the kids. Their
small steps are my giant leaps, and I feel
their excitement.
When I am working with an individual
or a group, I feel the presence of all those
that got me to this day — standing around
the court watching my every move. I like
to think they are smiling and speaking
amongst themselves — knowing they did a
good job. Every lesson I teach has a pinch
of my mentors in it. I now hear words they
used with me coming out of my mouth!
I grew up in North Carolina, which has
an abundantly rich tennis history. Some
of my southern mentors included the late
Jim Leighton (Wake Forest University
Coach and Old Town Club Professional),
Tom Parham (Atlantic Christian Coach),
the late Bob Light (Appalachian State
University Coach), Rick Keller (Carolina
CC Director of Tennis — and my first real
tennis job) and Herb Bolick (Director of
Tennis at Emerywood CC in High Point,
NC). All these extraordinary people had a
tremendous impact on me and my career.
I learned almost everything I know about
the tennis business from these great
minds. There is no way I could ever thank
them enough.
January 2021
Instead, all I can do is carry them with
me to the court each day and reflect on their
brilliance and drive to build better players.
I remember my USPTA Southern
family fondly; Pat Whitworth, Tom
McGraw, Fred Burdick, Bill Phillips, Todd
Upchurch, Bill Riddle, Tommy Wade,
Peter Howell, Tom Cascarano, Bill Tym,
Kevin Theos, Jack Justice, Skip Johnson,
Randy Stephens, Tom Daglis, Reedy
Toney, Dave Dvorak, Jeff Hawes and Jorge
Andrew. Does it get any bigger than this
bunch? I don’t think so!
I also think back to my early roots,
growing up in High Point, NC, banging balls
at Mohawk Park. I used to take the broom
from my house to sweep glass and rocks
off the court so I could hit balls. I never
swept that much at home. Little did I know
way back then that the tennis court would
become my second home.
USTA North Carolina has been an
enormous part of my life. They started
my junior career when I won my first
tournament in Reidsville, NC, at 11 years
old. I remember it like it was yesterday.
My mom drove me back and forth from
High Point all weekend. I fell asleep in the
car returning home after winning the final
with the trophy wrapped in my arms. Kelly,
Cy, Mary Lloyd, Amy, Billy, Ted, Alex, Jeff
and Anna — they are all family to me, and
they always will be.
Finally, my two favorite mentors, the
reason I am what I am — my mother and
my wife Lori. I have no business even being
mentioned in the same breath as these
two. One brought me into this world and
showed me right from wrong. The other
will take me out, but not before enriching
and supporting my life as I could never
have imagined. What a lucky guy I am! As
they say, I truly outkicked my coverage.
I am so fortunate and grateful for the
game of tennis and all that it has taught
me and continues to teach me. I will never
forget those who “brung me.” I know all of
them are watching over me. Do not worry, I
won’t let you down.
Don’t forget yours either. *
ADDvantage Magazine - 53
 USPTA Master Professional Corner
5 Reasons Novak Djokovic
Rules Men’s Tennis
F or the better part of the past decade,
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak
Djokovic have dominated men’s tennis.
During this time, these three elite
players have achieved and maintained
unparalleled success in the game they love.
Each man has earned legendary status
and will undoubtedly be inducted into the
International Tennis Hall of Fame upon
retiring from competition.
Former coach to Federer, Pete Sampras
and Sloane Stephens – Paul Annacone,
who currently works as a commentator
for the Tennis Channel, recently stated
that whenever these living legends step
on the court, they are playing for a piece
of history.
As early as November 2020, Djokovic
had already locked up the year-end No. 1
Photo courtesy of Leonard Zhukovsky
56 - ADDvantage Magazine January 2021
Bill Tym, USPTA Master Professional
ranking, tying Sampras for his sixth
top finish!
Therefore, it appears that Djokovic is
leaving the other two members of this
world-class trio in the dust and is poised
to create new goals that most other
players can only dream about. However,
no one can outrun father time, so as he
enters his age-34 season, is it possible for
Djokovic to keep up his illustrious pace?
In my opinion, I believe there are five
specific reasons that Djokovic can and will
continue to rule tennis.
Djokovic understands the game.
His style of play has evolved
as a function of the overall
tennis acumen he possesses. As a result
of his earlier training and competitive
experience, Djokovic has come to realize
that ultimate success is directly related
to consistency and accuracy, as opposed
to power and flashy shot-making. This
knowledge has been the backbone of
his game and has motivated Djokovic to
become a consummate defensive player.
He has commuted and disciplined himself
to a challenging yet effective game plan – to
play defensively with an offensive attitude.
Djokovic understands that tennis is a
disciplined target sport, rather than a
flamboyant power sport. Consequently, he
has worked conscientiously on developing
patience, physical conditioning, and the
technical and tactical defensive skills
necessary to become the best men’s player
in the world.
It has been essential for Djokovic
to develop the highest level
of consistency by reducing
his unforced errors to a bare minimum,
especially in tiebreaks and critical game
points. Djokovic has accomplished this
goal by developing an all-court game that
features expanding his repertoire of shots,
the ability to improvise as necessary, and
increasing both his speed and stamina.
Djokovic always seems to be in a position
to execute his shots on balance and with
pinpoint accuracy. Djokovic attains this by
masterfully managing his power; he hits
each ball while maintaining consistency,
accuracy, and most importantly,
emphasizing the ability to return to the
optimum tactical position before his
opponent hits the next shot.

Rather than risking an error while
attempting to overpower his opponent
(which is frequently tempting and always
exhilarating), Djokovic assumes that
every ball will return – likely to the logical
opening, and that he is responsible for that
next shot. This consciousness reduces the
risk of missing his shot and gives Djokovic
more time to reach the next ball. Like
it or not, it is a statistical fact that more
matches are lost than won! Consistency
is, and always will be, the ultimate weapon
at every level of the game. The player that
hits the last ball over the net and inside the
lines invariably wins!
Every athlete that is motivated
to become the best player he/
she can become must first and
foremost understand his/her limits.
Djokovic completely understands
his limitations. At any point in time,
under various circumstances, he must
instantaneously know how hard to hit the
ball, how much margin is needed to clear
the net, and how close to the lines to aim a
successful shot.
Naturally, Djokovic has developed
this instinct through trial and error, and
purposeful experimentation in practice
sessions and match play during his career.
Djokovic is one of those
rare athletes that not only
understands his limitations,
but he has the discipline to play with
restraint, particularly in the critical
moments of a match, when most players
lose focus and try to win the big points with
massive shots. Consequently, many players
make unforced errors, and those lost points
translate into games, sets, and matches!
Master Professional Corner USPTA
Not only is Djokovic disciplined
enough to perform defensively,
but he is ready and willing
to play up to his limits and become
an offensive threat when the
opportunity arises. He is a unique
player because of his all-court
proficiency and diversity. Djokovic is
as proficient and comfortable at the net
as he is in the backcourt. His variation of
spin, willingness to come to net behind
serve and touch on drop shots and lobs
make him unpredictable and
dangerous from all areas
of the court.
Following elbow
surgery in 2018, he has
again become one of the
most successful servers
in the entire game. Add
that to Djokovic already
being one of the best
service returners in
the sport, and it is easy
to see why he rules the
world of tennis. *
January 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 57
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Break the Making Excuses Habit
W hen a tennis match is over, what do
we do? Maybe someday we will get
back to shaking hands, but if we win, we
tap racquets and say, “Good match.” If we
lose, we tap racquets and still say, “Good
match.” However, if we are to become
a modest winner or gracious loser, we
might say to our opponent, “You played
great today.”
We don’t make excuses for our
opponent. That would be immature,
wouldn’t it?
Yet, a lot of players make excuses
to themselves, their friends, and their
parents to explain away an outcome they
do not like — rationalizations they’d never
say, face-to-face to an opponent.
You’ve heard it. Your players and even
you might have said them yourself!
1. It was too sunny (or too hot,
too cold, too windy, etc.)
2. I was hungry
3. I felt a raindrop
4. This isn’t my racquet
5. My strings were dead
6. I hate pushers — they don’t
play real tennis
7. My opponent talked too much
(or too little)
8. I’m really a singles player
(while playing doubles)
9. I don’t usually play like this
(believe us, you do!)
10. My partner brought down my
game
Dr. Peter Scales, USPTA Professional
I have only heard two excuses that made
sense: “I was distracted because I had a
bee in my nose,” and “I’m a little shaky
because my car was just stolen.” Both were
true stories.
But every other excuse is just a way of
not taking responsibility. Even if you lost
the match, you could still be a winner in
the mental and emotional game if you take
responsibility for what transpired. The
true reason you lost is that your opponent
was better than you on that day.
Can excuses can be reasons for losing?
Yes. However, reasons are facts that you
can do something about, i.e. toss lower
in the wind, have a better game plan for
playing the pusher, talk more and work
together better with your doubles partner
instead of blaming them. But reasons
become excuses when you are whining
instead of fixing the issue at hand.
Making excuses diminishes the
achievements of your opponent — it’s not
honoring them or the game, and it keeps
January 2021
USPTA
you from learning. If you’re mitigating
your performance, then you are less likely
to process what is happening and how
you are affecting your opponent. You
become so preoccupied with focusing
on the negative that you could very well
miss priceless clues on how to adjust and
adapt to the player opposite you. Making
excuses is like playing with your eyes
closed and your brain shut off. If you are
unwilling to learn, then you can’t compete
at your highest level.
Here are examples of what you can
tell your players to break the making
excuses habit.
I. Write down or record the excuses
I.
you’ve heard players make or that
you have made yourself. Listening or
reading them aloud will allow you to
laugh at how silly these justifications
sound. The ability to chuckle at
past mitigations will give you the
perspective needed to diminish the
power of the excuse.
Photo courtesy of Pair Srinrat
ADDvantage Magazine - 59
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II. Make two columns. Jot down your
favorite excuses, such as the ones
you tend to use in one column. On
the other, rewrite the acquittal as a
positive. So, instead of saying, “It’s too
windy,” try, “I love playing in the wind
— I can make the ball do things that
will drive my opponent crazy!”
III. Write or record post-practice and
post-match summaries. Focus on
offering analysis without judgment,
the challenges you faced, and what
you will do to fix them. Then re-read
or listen to the synopsis before your
next time on the court.
IV. Interview yourself — or you and your
opponent can interview each other
in a mock post-match interview as if
you were covering it for the Tennis
Channel. Using a ball can for a mic,
ask one another, “What did you like
about your game today?” and, “What’s
something you want to work on
based on this match?” You can also be
vaguer and ask, “How do you think it
went today?” Sure, it’s a little weird
USPTA
to put in your
pocket. Before
you step on the
court, crumple
up your excuses
and the baggage
of your off-court
life, and toss
them into the
“Excuse Box.”
During the
match, do the
same thing if
your inner or
outer voices start
whining. Let the
“Excuse Box”
take away your
doubts — it is an
excuse sauna!
The “Excuse Box”
is a big, fun part
at first, but if the players I’ve worked of our high school practices!
with are any indication, your players
will quickly have fun with it. Will these potential habits completely
prevent your players from making
V. Another variation is practicing your excuses? Of course not, we are all abridged
answer to the question everyone human beings and imperfect tennis
gets when someone finds out they players! But you can cut down on cop-outs
played a match: Did you win? The by laughing them off, reframing them in
mentally strong, no excuse response favorable terms, rehearsing positive post-
to rehearse is something like, “I match summarization, and making your
played hard and to the best of my transgressions live in the “Excuse Box” as
ability. I faced a quality opponent, and often as possible.
we had a good match.” Rehearse your Excuse-free tennis is much more
response until it is automatic. enjoyable, and your players will learn
and compete better while honoring the
VI. Make an “Excuse Box,” or at least game more.*
imagine one. Make it a box large
enough to sit in or small enough
A developmental psychologist, Coach Pete Scales is a frequent contributor to
ADDVantage Magazine. Scales is the JV boys and girls tennis coach at Parkway
South High School in Manchester, MO, a Mental Strength Consultant to the
Washington University in St. Louis Women’s Tennis Team, and author of the
acclaimed book, Mental and Emotional Training for Tennis: Compete-Learn-Honor
(Coaches Choice, 2019, available at Amazon and uspta.com/proshop). The book
previously sold out at the 2019 US Open.
January 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 61
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Get Off the Island and
Get in the Game
Amanda Fink, USPTA Elite Professional
I t’s hard to keep track of the many
coaching networks that exist in today’s
tennis culture. Consider the most well-
known acronyms, including the U.S.
Professional Tennis Association (USPTA),
Women’s Tennis Coaching Association
(WTCA), International Tennis Federation
(ITF), among others. However, there are
many questions to consider. Why should I
join an organization? What does a network
offer its members? What value is there to
being in a coaching network? These are all
valid concerns that need answers.
Tennis is an individual sport, and
coaches seem to treat their careers in
the same manner. Even providers that
belong to a network have difficulty giving
up potential teaching hours to attend
educational events – and work together
as a community. I can honestly say I
understand that sentiment. Professionals
must make a living, and many conferences
feature costly registration fees — not to
mention expenses and travel time. The
bottom line is that being away from the
court equals lost revenue.
So why then do coaches join associations
and networks? Many say they simply need
the all-inclusive insurance. While that is
vital, it should not be the sole reason one
becomes a member of a coaching network.
Consider the potential support you would
receive from belonging to an organization,
including partnering with diverse areas,
populations, and groups such as students,
peer coaches, and mentors. No one in the
tennis world exists on an island.
Being part of a network allows you
to connect, develop friendships, and
brainstorm with peers. Coaches can
pick up new drills, games, tricks, and
business advice. There is also synergy from
associating with others that revitalizes the
spirit and joy of the profession. Keep in
mind, not every presentation will be useful
or applicable, but at least new information
challenges one to think differently, or
widen the scope of potential offerings.
I enjoy meeting new people and catching
up with old acquaintances. It’s fun to
collaborate with other pros and discuss
everything from coaching rates to the state
of tennis. We are building a foundation that
makes our profession stronger.
Get Involved — Start Locally
If you feel like you aren’t getting the
correct benefits or education from your
network, or you would like to see change,
it’s time to get involved. Solutions include
joining a committee or serving on a local
board. The tennis world needs to hear
unique voices, especially from newer
members and those that have been quiet
in the past. And for the love of all that is
good, do not merely post on social media
about your problems. If you want to
see something genuinely transpire, you
need to get in the game. As Tony Award-
winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda
wrote in his portrayal of Alexander
Hamilton: “When you got skin in the game,
you stay in the game. But you don’t get a
win unless you play in the game.”
January 2021
USPTA
If challenged to get involved, one might
respond, “No way, Amanda!” Getting more
entangled, risks being labeled for having
unpopular opinions, especially if you use
the excuse, “No one wants to deal with the
politics and outdated procedures.” Well, my
industry peers and pros, I have news for you.
Whether you work at a club, teach on courts
managed by a Homeowners Association, or
coach at a school, there are politics. Please
do not hide behind that rationalization.
Challenge yourself to stand up for
whatever you feel passionate about
— regardless of the potential level of
controversy. Risk being seen in an
unfavorable light and let your voice be
heard. If you are not willing to do that,
then, in my opinion, you do not have the
right to complain about the problems or
difficulties of your sport, and you shouldn’t
expect others to champion your cause.
Now I am the first to admit that I’m
not always seen in a positive light when
I share my views. But my peers, family,
friends, and mentors have always been
there to pick me up when things become
overwhelming. I accept that I can’t please
everyone, and sometimes I have to call
it as I see it — regardless of any outdated
opinions and policies. I refuse to sugarcoat
my words — and I hope people will respect
my thoughts, even in disagreement. I
strive to contribute new ideas and work
hard to see them come to fruition.
ADDvantage Magazine - 63
 “Theragun has
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Amanda Anisimova
Professional Tennis Player
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I used to be unaware that I could make
an impact on my community. I spent my
first board term listening quietly before
I finally turned to the leader and asked,
“Do you want me to do something?”
That question led to me running my first
College Knowledge Educational Seminar
and other events that made a difference
to players and coaches. What I am saying
is that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask what
you can do. Think about how you can use
your background and strengths. If you
posess a unique perspective about our
industry and the game of tennis — share
it. Have those around you help; however,
become the one that makes things happen.
We have been talking for years about
growing the game, but I would like to
pose a few questions. What does that
phrase exactly mean? How do we as pros
contribute to that ideal? While I don’t
have all the answers, the first step is
collecting information about your topic
— both positive and negative. Then work
together instead of competing against one
another. The result will give players more
opportunities to grow as stronger leaders
in the coaching community.
Leadership at Higher Levels
If you truly desire improvements for
an organization, you need to be active on
committees and boards. Here are my top
three reasons why:
nnis
y as
1. Talk is cheap. It takes participation
and an actual working investment
to inspire change or development
in anything.
2. Change happens slowly: If you
see a need that requires reshaping,
start at the beginning, and work it
step by step. Learn what it takes for
change to happen. What does adding
or subtracting something mean for
an organization? Does it require a
current program dropped? Will a
new initiative need to be developed?
What is the cost to members? Will
businesses or sponsors become
financially hurt in the process? You
might find that alterations have
more challenges than you think
due to unintended consequences.
However, you won’t know until you
are in the room where decisions
get made.
3. Try local leadership: Begin by
gathering data. Who are your local
contacts? Reach out to education
and divisional leadership, listed
on USPTA.com. If you have ideas,
concerns, or anything else that
can help leaders make the division
stronger, speak up. If the person
that you reached out to doesn’t
seem to care, then you spoke to the
January 2021
USPTA
wrong individual. You will always
find people that wish to know what
is going on in the organization and
even if they can’t immediately help,
they will likely listen.
My experience with creating positive
change is through a group called
Elevate in San Diego, CA. I listened to a
collection of respected coaches, industry
professionals, and high-performance
players — and I helped them find a
platform for their ideas. The results
were uber-successful in expanding the
coaching community while creating pro-
am tournaments, educational events, and
a network of speakers that share ideas at
our division conventions. This is just one
example where you can make a difference
by listening, responding, and becoming a
leader — both on and off the court.
The message is simple. You have the
potential to make a difference in your
community and beyond. You can grow,
inspire, and raise others by making
connections with your peers. No idea
is too big or too small. There is a whole
world out there waiting for you to
experience — one that lives for change.
Should you need help or inspiration, I am
here to assist, and I’d love to learn about
your quests. My challenge to you: Get off
the island and get in the game. *
Photo courtesy of Amanda Fink
ADDvantage Magazine - 65
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 USPTA

ThanksUSA 2020-21 Scholarships

P artnering with Tennis Thanks
the Troops, the United States
Professional Tennis Association (USPTA)
and ThanksUSA are pleased to present
the 2020-2021 USPTA/ThanksUSA
Scholarships to three military family
college students.
Each scholarship recipient will receive
a $3,000 scholarship towards their
undergraduate studies.
“We are always excited to team up with
ThanksUSA to provide scholarships to
deserving students of military families,”
said USPTA CEO John Embree. “The
Tennis Thanks the Troops partnership
allows our association to show our
appreciation to the military and their
families. This initiative is always well
supported by our members and is an
annual priority of our association.
A USPTA/ThanksUSA scholarship is
helping Gloria complete her final year
of undergraduate studies at Wayland
Baptist University in Texas. As the spouse
of an active-duty Army Staff Sergeant,
she balances the challenges of military
life while obtaining a college degree and
raising her children – one of which is
afflicted by hemophilia.
The daughter of a retired Army Staff
Sergeant – Cameron, was awarded
a USPTA/ThanksUSA Scholarship
to begin a Biology major at Virginia
Commonwealth University. “Thank
you all for the USPTA/ThanksUSA
scholarship award and helping me in my
academic journey. I will do my best to
make everyone proud. I am very honored
to be a recipient!” said Cameron.
The daughter of a disabled Marine
Corps Veteran – Destiny, was diagnosed
with a heart defect shortly after birth.
Undergoing open-heart surgery at
the age of 15 introduced her to a team
of pediatric cardiologists that would
inspire her future. “Their care, combined
with my personal experience, created a
passion,” she shared. With the assistance
of a USPTA/ThanksUSA scholarship,
Destiny is beginning a Biology major
with a Pre-Med concentration at the
University of Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to the USPTA and all
tennis professionals who are making a
difference for military families through
fundraising events or private donations,”
said Jean Pletchette, ThanksUSA
Director of Sports Initiatives. To learn
more, contact Jean@ThanksUSA.org.*

Whatever
your needs,
we’ve got you
covered!
Whether your club is looking for a Tennis
Professional or a Director of Tennis, find
quality candidates through USPTA’s
network of Certified, Elite, & Master
Professionals with USPTA DirectorSearch
and USPTA Post-A-Job services.

www.uspta.com or call 407-634-3050

January 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 67

USPTA Career Development

Career Development
USPTA Certification Testing Dates
Jan. 2-3................................................................................. Forest Crest Athletic Club
Mountlake Terrace, WA
Jan. 6...................................................................... Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
Minneapolis, MN
Jan. 7-8....................................................................................... Anthem Country Club
Henderson, NV
Jan. 10.....................................................................................Rush Copley Healthplex
Aurora, IL
Jan. 10..................................................................................... Bayou Bluff Tennis Club
Gulfport, MS
Jan. 10..................................................................................................Lifetime Fitness
Peachtree, GA
Jan. 11-12................................................................................. USTA National Campus
Orlando, FL
Jan. 16........................................................................................................... Woodside
Woodside, KS
Jan. 17............................................................................................... ACAC Midlothian
Midlothian, VA
Jan. 20.................................................................... Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
Minneapolis, MN
Jan. 23-24.....................................................................................Atlanta Athletic Club
Johns Creek, GA
Jan. 23-24.......................................................................................Oaks at Boca Raton
Boca Raton, FL
Jan. 23-24................................................................ The Birch Racquet and Lawn Club
Keller, TX
Jan. 24-25................................................................................. Burbank Tennis Center
Burbank, CA
Jan. 26...................................................................................Westwood Tennis Center ThanksUSA 2020-2021
Norman, OK
Jan. 26-27................................................................................. Athletic Club Inverness
Scholarship Recipients
Englewood, CO
Jan. 29.................................................................................... Greenville Country Club
Wilmington, DE
Jan. 29-30...................................................................................Paseo Racquet Center
Glendale, AZ
Jan. 29....................................................................................................Wakonda Club
Des Moines, IA
Jan. 30-31.......................................................................... Mission Viejo Country Club
Mission Viejo, CA
Jan. 31.................................................................................John & Fay Menard YMCA
Eau Claire, WI

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President................................................................. Feisal Hassan Editor...................................................................................... Jim Burke ADDvantage is published monthly by the
Managing Editor......................................................... Mike Calendrillo United States Professional Tennis Association.
First Vice President.............................................Richard Slivocka
Layout/Design.............................................................Kevin Karczewski The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are
Vice Presidents...............Lane Evans, Mark Faber, Trish Faulkner, Editorial Assistance .............................Alegna Hollis, Ramona Husaru, those of the authors and not necessarily those
Jason Gilbert, Bill Mountford Sid Newcomb, Fred Viancos, Ellen Weatherford of ADDvantage or the United States
Professional Tennis Association.
Immediate Past President............................................ Gary Trost Circulation..................................................................... Trevor Trudelle
USPTA World Headquarters Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
CEO...........................................................................John Embree Association, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved.
11961 Performance Dr. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine
Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell Orlando, FL 32827 is not permitted without written permission
407-634-3050 – www.uspta.com from the USPTA.

68 - ADDvantage Magazine January 2021

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