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Contents February 2021

DEPARTMENTS
4 Our Serve
7 Industry News
14 Letters
15 10 Reasons to Play Tennis
16 Grassroots Tennis
18 Tennis Foundations
20 Squash
22 Racquet Stringing
24 Pioneers in Tennis
40 Your Serve, by Denny
Schackter

INDUSTRY NEWS
7 Tennis industry shows
growth in face of pandemic
7 ASBA to combine Tennis,
Courts & Rec divisions
8 USTA National Campus
to host NCAA Championships
8 Billie Jean King Cup
moved to April dates
8 Short Sets
8 WTA rebrands, aligns
tourneys with ATP Tour
S TA NDING
9 Sports construction veteran OUT
Chris Rossi joins Har-Tru
HE YEAR
OUTDOOR

9 Slinger Bag to develop

tech platform and app
FT

EN O
T

NIS
10 2021 Australian Open FAC I L I T Y
moves to Feb. 8-21
CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENT FOOTWEAR TENNIS & EDUCATION
11 USA Pickleball names LSI
official lighting partner Meritorious Going Positive Community
11 Tennis leaders support Service Green Reinforcement Impact
PHIT America campaign
12 USTA hires Marisa Grimes Racquet Sports Industry With the motto Shoe manufacturers In Chicago, the
as new chief D&I officer and the ASBA bring ‘Yellow is the new remain optimistic XS Tennis &
you the best in tennis green,’ RecycleBalls that the new year Education
12 PTR Symposium to be and pickleball court wants tennis players will bring more play, Foundation
virtual event in February construction and to be part of the and the chance continues to
12 Roy Barth releases new design. solution. for more sales. change lives.

C OV E R P H O T O C O U RT E S Y A S B A / T H I S PA G E S H U T T E R S T O C K
book, Point of Impact P. 26 P. 30 P. 34 P. 38
13 Peoplewatch

p.41
PLUS
43 From the CEO
43 48 51 55
Expanding Our Making Serving Aspects The Fulfillment 45 Vice President's Message
Professional the Basics from a Singles of Mentorship 48 Master Professional Corner
Base from All Interesting Perspective
57 In Memoriam
Communities
59 Pickleball Perspective

Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 60 Career Development

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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 OurServe
PUBLISHER
EDITOR'S NOTE JEFF WILLIAMS

Losing a Champion EDITOR

PETER FRANCESCONI

The late tennis photographer MANAGING EDITOR

SCOTT GRAMLING

Luigi Serra loved life and tennis, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

IAN KNOWLES

and was a shining light for this sport. SENIOR EDITOR

ED McGROGAN

ART DIRECTOR

I 
CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

PRODUCTION EDITOR
ANDREA WOO

n mid-December, as our the Luigi Serra Scholarship Fund to help SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
January issue featuring RSI’s achieve its goals. BOB PATTERSON

Champions of Tennis Awards
was reaching readers, and
as we were in the middle of
putting together this issue, I
received an email from longtime tennis
photographer Ed Goldman, sharing the
Ed’s short email late that night to about
60 colleagues—“I sure didn’t want to have
to share this,” he wrote—brought my work
to a halt. I sighed, sat back in my chair and
just stared at the computer screen for a
few minutes.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
DAVID LASOTA, JUDY LEAND, KENT OSWALD,
CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS

sad news that fellow professional ASSOCIATE EDITOR

photographer Luigi Serra had passed TIM McARTHUR
away at age 79, after two weeks in the
hospital with COVID-19. I hope, when all this does EDITORIAL DIRECTION
10TEN MEDIA
I have to admit, I didn’t know Luigi finally pass, we take
well. We first ran into each other at the US
Open decades ago—and I think it was my the time to remember all RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
Italian last name that caught his atten- the shining lights that 646-381-8735
tion. Every year when I saw him at the this pandemic has dimmed, info@tennisindustrymag.com

Open, I’d quickly exhaust my limited

inventory of Italian greetings and
phrases.
Luigi was friendly with everyone—he
was a wonderful, cheerful man who
clearly loved what he did, and clearly
loved this sport. An electrical engineer
by trade, he specialized in the design of
nuclear power plants. But tennis was
his true passion. He had been traveling
the world the past 45 years shooting
the game’s premier tournaments. With
homes in Chicago and Palm Desert, Luigi
was a fixture at the BNP Paribas Open in
Indian Wells.
Luigi also was a shining light in this
industry. He and his family, including
Bonnie, his wife of 53 years, have been
involved in the TOP–Tennis Opportunity
Program in Chicago for many years. TOP
uses tennis as a foundation to prepare
underserved kids for the court, classroom
and beyond. The all-volunteer organiza-
tion (toptennischicago.com) dedicates all
or extinguished.
I thought about Luigi, and about the
importance of this whole tennis “family,”
and about how this pandemic will likely
have a lasting impact on all of us.
We’re all caught up in simply trying to
keep afloat in these challenging times—
worried about business, and income, and
how our worlds will look after the worst of
this pandemic passes.
I hope, when all this does finally pass,
we take the time to remember all the shin-
ing lights that this pandemic has dimmed,
or extinguished. Luigi Serra’s passion for
life and for tennis should serve as an inspi-
ration for all of us.
He was a true champion of this sport.
Peter Francesconi
Editor
Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
JOHN HANNA
770-650-1102, x125
hanna@knowatlanta.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). February 2021, Volume 49, Number
2 © 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
$25 in the U.S., $40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, 250
Park Avenue, Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Racquet
Sports Industry is the official magazine of the USRSA,
TIA and ASBA.
Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.

of its donations to athletic and academic

training for TOP Scholars, and it now has

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Tennis Industry Shows
Growth in Face of Pandemic
R
ecent data surrounding
racquet sales and par-
ticipation indicate that
the tennis industry has
shown strength amid the
coronavirus pandemic.
According to the TIA’s Quarterly USA
Wholesale Equipment Census, racquet
sales in the entry-level category have
seen significant growth in the third
quarter of 2020 compared to the same
period in 2019. This coincides with the
timing that much of the country began
to open for business following the initial
wave of COVID-19.
The increase is seen in both the youth
and adult demographics, with shipments
SHUTTERSTOCK
for youth racquets showing an increase
of 40.9 percent and shipments of adult
racquets under $50 (entry-level) seeing
an increase of 43.3 percent. For all price
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Racquet shipments
and participation have
seen increases in Q3.
points, racquet shipments are up 37.7
percent in that same time period.
In addition, the Physical Activity
Council has reported that participation
has increased to 10.08 percent of the
United States population playing tennis
in Q3 2020 v 6.75 percent in Q3 2019, an
increase of 49.33 percent. This number
falls in line with the increases in racquet
unit shipments.
“At the start of the pandemic, the
USTA, along with its industry partners,
took significant steps to ensure the
viability of the tennis industry, making
impactful financial commitments and
providing resources to those being hit
incredibly hard by this crisis,” said USTA
CEO and Executive Director Michael
Dowse. “We are now seeing the outcome
of putting those measures into place,
with tennis surging."
IndustryNews
ASBA to Combine Tennis,
Courts & Recreation Divisions
The American Sports Builders Association
has decided to combine its Tennis Division
and its Courts & Recreation Division into
one “Courts Division” starting in 2021.
After much consideration by the ASBA
Board of Directors and a special explor-
atory task force, the Board voted to move
forward with a single Courts Division that
will represent the interest of builders,
designers and suppliers of tennis courts,
pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor
basketball and volleyball courts and a
cadre of emerging sport surfaces in which
ASBA members are involved.
Many of the programs and services that
had been housed under the former
Tennis and Courts & Recreation divisions
will remain intact, such as the publications
and certifications. Tennis Courts: Construc-
tion & Maintenance Manual will stand as
a separate publication; and the Certified
Tennis Court Builder program will continue
as a distinct professional credential.
Consumers visiting the ASBA website at
sportsbuilders.org will choose from one of
three landing pages, for Courts, Running
Tracks or Sports Fields, all of which are
named for the surfaces/venues on which
sports are played.
“With the continued growth of
pickleball and the recent surge in tennis
this past year due to its social distancing
attributes, business is very strong,” says
current Tennis Division President Matt
Strom of Leslie Coatings. “In most cases,
ASBA members are involved in both sports
and will be helped by this combining of
resources.”
ASBA will be implementing the change
throughout 2021, with a combined
“Courts” track of programming at its
Technical Meeting scheduled for Orlando,
Fla., Dec. 3-6.
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7
 Billie Jean King Cup
Moved to April Dates
The ITF has announced that the Billie
Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-Off
ties, initially scheduled for Feb. 5-6,
will move to April 16-17, as the tennis
calendar continues to be impacted by
the coronavirus pandemic. Eight two-
day, home-and-away Play-Off ties will
now take place during the week of the
COLLEGE TENNIS finals, which will be April 13-18.

USTA National Campus The home-and-away ties are an inte-

gral part of the Fed Cup competition—

Awarded NCAA DI, II & III which was rebranded the Billie Jean
King Cup in September 2020—and

Championships for 2023 feature 16 national teams. They will

compete for the chance to progress
to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers

T
in 2022. The eight losing nations will
he NCAA announced that the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., compete in their respective regional
will host the 2023 NCAA Division I, II, and III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Group I event in 2022.
Championships as part of a hybrid bid proposed by the USTA to bring all The Play-Off ties will take place in
NCAA tennis championships to a single site. eight cities around the world, while
This will mark the first time in the history of any NCAA sport that one venue will the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup Finals
host all six (DI-III M/W) divisional championships in a given year. The bid process will be hosted in Budapest, Hungary.
was completed in conjunction with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission; uni- Up to 140 of the top players from 28
versity partners of UCF, Rollins College and Oglethorpe University (Ga.); and com- nations will be in action across nine
munity partners of the City of Orlando and Orange County. Initial plans for hosting countries during the April dates.
the 2023 events include potential junior tournaments and coaching programming,
connecting various components of the USTA’s competitive pathway. WTA Rebrands, Aligns
Tournament Names with ATP

Short
Sets
ICP Building Solutions Group’s Califor-
nia Sports Surfaces division is the Official
Preferred Court Supplier of the Inter-
national Tennis Federation. CSS brands
include DecoTurf, Plexipave, Rebound
Ace and Premier Sports Coatings.
The Junior Tennis Champions Center
(JTCC) in College Park, Md., reports that
its 285 student-athletes who have gone
on to attend college have received more
than $20 million in scholarships and
financial aid.
In December, Slinger Bag produced its
All Racquet Sports and Adidas Padel
announced a partnership to endorse and
officially recognize PADEL-U by Adidas.
PADEL-U’s Padel Certification program
becomes the first certification with
official recognition and endorsement for
padel coaches in the U.S.
Wightman Tennis Center in Weston,
Mass., is working with management
consulting firm Beyond The Baselines to
help improve member communications
and member services.
The City of Surprise, Ariz., in partner-
The Women’s Tennis Association has
announced a new corporate identity,
rebrand and logo, along with new nam-
ing conventions for its events to provide
more unity with the ATP Tour. As part of
the launch, the WTA also revealed a new
“WTA For the Game” campaign aimed at
creating a deeper fan connection.
The move marks the tour’s first logo re-
design in 10 years. The new logo includes
a rework of the letters W, T and A, and
marks a return to a silhouette of a female
tennis player.
As part of the rebrand, the WTA also
worked with the ATP to create consis-
tency and alignment across professional
tennis by forming a new nomenclature
C O U RT E S Y U S TA

for events. Starting in 2021, both tours

20,000th ball-launching machine. ship with the Pacific West Conference, will share the same tournament tier and
will host the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's naming system at events. WTA events
The USPTA, the U.S. Padel Association, & Women's Tennis Championships. will be categorized as WTA 1000 (incor-
porating the former Premier Mandatory

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Industry
IndustryNews

and Premier 5 tournaments); WTA 500
(formerly Premier 700); WTA 250 (Inter-
national); and WTA 125 (125K Series).
“Fans really respond to the unified
approach, which tennis is uniquely able
to provide,” said WTA President Mickey
Lawler. “Adopting this streamlined tour-
nament naming system is about making
it easier for WTA fans, corporate partners
and the media to engage and follow
our sport.”
Sports Construction Veteran
Chris Rossi Joins Har-Tru
Sports construction industry veteran
Chris Rossi has joined Har-Tru LLC as
the company’s Outside Sales Repre-
sentative. Rossi will help lead and de-
velop Har-Tru’s acrylic sports coatings
line of products.
“Chris has a tremendous amount of
knowledge in acrylic coatings,” says
Tracy Lynch, Har-Tru’s VP of sales and
marketing. “Combine that with his gift
of building meaningful relationships
with architects, contractors and engi-
neers and this will only further help us
pro players with more opportunities to com-
pete, improve their game and support them-
selves with prize money. All events will be
single-gender, singles only, entry based on
Universal Tennis Rating (UTR), and feature a
32-player group round robin followed by a
World Cup-style playoff format.
Slinger Bag to Develop
Technology Platform and App
Slinger Bag says it’s developing a
technology platform and mobile app to
be powered by artificial intelligence (AI)
sports technology, to be released in 2021.
“Today’s announcement is a significant
milestone for Slinger Bag,” says CEO Mike
Ballardie. “Technology has a significant
role to play in the future of Slinger Bag,
whether that be directly through the
hardware itself or the development of this age for performance data and unlocks
proprietary software and new app.” insights for athletes and coaches. In
Slinger Bag is partnering with addition, as part of this new technology
Gameface, an award-winning sports AI platform, Slinger Bag will partner with
company based out of Sydney, Australia. PlaySight Interactive, a leading sports
Gameface analyzes sports video foot- and tennis video technology company.

#1
support our mission,” which is “to cre-
ate better places to play by focusing
on our customers, and leveraging our
knowledge and experience to most
effectively serve their needs.”
in Crack
Rossi brings over 30 years of manu-
facturing and sales experience, as well
Repair!
as nearly 20 years of tennis court and
running track contracting and surfac-
ing. For many years, Rossi provided
surfaces for Davis Cup and Fed Cup
events, ATP and WTA tournaments, as
well as clubs, facilities and contractors
around the world.

Universal Tennis Brings NO Dead Spots

UTR Pro Tennis Series to U.S. NO Hollow Sounds
Universal Tennis (MyUTR.com) has
announced the launch of the UTR Pro NO Bubbling
Tennis Series Tour in the U.S. As part of
its three-year global UTR Pro Tennis Se-
ries Tour, investing over $20 million and
enabling 140 worldwide annual events, it
will feature 40 events for men and wom-
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www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9

IndustryNews

PROFESSIONAL TENNIS

2021 Australian
The 2021 Australian
Open has been moved
to February to provide

Open Moves
time for players to get
into the "bubble."

to Feb. 8-21
T
he 2021 Australian Open will
be Feb. 8-21 in Melbourne. The
tournament was originally
scheduled to start Jan. 18, but that was
pushed back to give players coming
from overseas time to quarantine.
Qualifying for the Aussie Open will be
in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 10-13, with players
expected to then travel to Australia and
quarantine, in accordance with require-
ments of Australian public health and
immigration authorities. A 12-team ATP
Cup in Melbourne, played alongside the
relocated Adelaide International, as well
as an additional ATP 250 tournament,
will all be held inside the Melbourne
“bubble,” followed by the Aussie Open.

SHUTTERSTOCK

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 IndustryNews

USA Pickleball Names LSI
Official Lighting Partner
leagues, private instruction, adult and
children’s clinics, tournaments, socials,
parties, events and more.
Tennis Leaders Support
PHIT America Campaign
PHIT America, a national charity dedicated
to improving children’s health and academic
performance, has launched the Petition For
Healthy Kids campaign promoted by more
than 100 national and local influencers, with
a goal to get 50 million kids physically active
by 2030 through school and community
physical activity programs.
Among the more than 20 tennis leaders
supporting the petition calling for all kids to
receive a minimum of 30 minutes of physi-
cal activity at least three times per week in
school are Mike Dowse, Alan Schwartz, John
Embree, Dan Santorum and Anne Worcester.

LSI Industries is now the official lighting

partner for USA Pickleball, the national
governing body for the sport of pickleball
in America.
“As pickleball currently has 3.5 mil-
lion participants across the U.S., and is
growing 10 to 15 percent per year, we’re
excited to have industry leaders like LSI
helping to provide high-performance
lighting solutions," says George Bauern-
feind, USA Pickleball’s managing director
of marketing and communications. “The
year 2021 will bring the development of
more courts across the U.S. and we are
thrilled to have state-of-the-art partners
to provide value to our current and future
members.”
As the official lighting partner of USA
Pickleball, LSI offers lighting solutions to
satisfy player, spectator, community and
environmental requirements. For more
information, visit USAPickleball.org and
LSICorp.com/Pickleball.

Pickleballerz Opens Indoor

PBall Facility in Virginia
Pickleballerz, the Mid-Atlantic re-
gion’s first and only dedicated indoor
pickleball facility, opened for business
in October in Chantilly, Va., about 20
miles west of Washington, D.C.
The nearly 20,000-square-foot
space features six courts, a “dinking”
practice court, and a spectator lounge
where players can enjoy food and
refreshments.
“We are so happy to finally open,”
said Pickleballerz co-owner and
local Fairfax County resident Beverly
Raelson. “We are enthusiastic about
welcoming the area’s pickleball play-
ers to their new year-round home for
pickleball.”
Pickleballerz will offer members
and non-members a variety of ways to
play, including drop-in play, com-
petitive and recreational pickleball

www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11

IndustryNews

PTR International Tennis

Symposium to be Virtual Event
Professional Tennis Registry will host
its premier coach education event—the
PTR International Tennis Symposium—
Feb. 8-11 as a virtual event.
The virtual Symposium is slated to
have more than 15 hours of live and
pre-recorded presentations, with top-
ics ranging from tennis business and
sport science to teaching tactics and
techniques.
Though the Symposium may look a
little different than in years past, the vir-
tual conference platform provides mul-
INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE tiple avenues for attendees to network

USTA Hires Marisa Grimes and interact with speakers, tradeshow

vendors and other attendees, says PTR.

as New Chief D&I Officer

The PPR Virtual Pickleball Conference
will kick off the week, starting Monday,

T
Feb. 8. Registration for the virtual Pick-
leball Conference only is $47. Registra-
he USTA has named Marisa Grimes as chief diversity and inclusion of- tion for the PTR International Sympo-
ficer. She’ll report to USTA CEO and Executive Director Michael Dowse. sium is $97, and combined registration
Grimes will work with USTA leadership to develop and implement a for both the PPR Virtual Pickleball
culture shift across all levels of the association throughout the country. Conference and PTR International Sym-
One of her highest priorities will be to ensure the USTA fulfills its mission of grow- posium is $127. Visit ptrtennis.org.
ing the game and bringing in new generations of diverse players and providers.
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rate communications with a number of nationally known media companies. She
also sits on the board of directors for the Northeast STEM Starter Academy in
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Former Tour Pro Roy Barth USRSA Names MRTs, CSs, PRAs
Releases New Tennis Book Master Racquet Technicians
Roy Barth’s new book, Point of Impact, • Abigail Caddick, Fayetteville, N.C.
is now available on Amazon in both pa-
perback and e-book formats. In his book, • Melissa Kelly, Fort Smith, Ark.
Barth suggests that tennis lessons are life
lessons, and he tells how he channeled • Valeria Matute, Fayetteville, N.C.
the lessons he learned on the court into C O U RT E S Y U S TA , R OY B A RT H , O N C O U RT O F FC O U RT
tools for managing the challenges he • Michael Munguia, Yuba City, Calif.
faced off the court.
Barth weaves his personal story • Adam Thomasson, Severna Park, Md.
through the history of tennis, and the
major impact he’s Certified Stringers
had on the sport • Kris Dubach, Lakeville, Minn.
of tennis and this
industry, as a pro • William Rennie Benoit Jr., Birmingham, Ala. OnCourt Offcourt is offering the new
player (reaching Deluxe Pickleball Line Set, which quickly
No. 8 in the world) Professional Racquet Advisors sets up a pickleball court on any flat sur-
and then longtime • Abigail Caddick, Fayetteville, N.C. face. The set comes in a durable storage
tennis director at and carry case and includes eight non-slip
Kiawah Island Golf • Megan Kidd, Fayetteville, N.C. lines. Suggested retail is $249.95.
and Tennis Resort in Contact 888-366-4717 or visit www.
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12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com


People
Watch
USTA Southern Tennis Service
Representative Claire Bartlett, who for the
past three-plus years has been covering
Tennessee, will now oversee the north
Georgia territory—replacing Mark Suiter,
who retired in December after more than
10 years of service.
Japan’s Shingo Kunieda, Diede De Groot
of the Netherlands and Australian Dylan
Alcott have ended the 2020 season as
the ITF UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour’s
year-end world No.1s. Kunieda has now
held the year-end No.1 ranking in nine
seasons. For De Groot, this marks the third
year in succession she has topped the
rankings at the end of the season, while it
is the fifth year that Alcott has ended the
THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO PLAY.
iGENIE Ball Machine
SHUTTERSTOCK
Stan Oley, Product Marketing Specialist
HalfPage-InsideTennis.indd 1
www.tennisindustrymag.com
year ranked as the world No.1.
American Sofia Kenin was named the
WTA Player of the Year for 2020, as voted
on by members of the international tennis
media. The 22-year-old from Pembroke
Pines, Fla. won the 2020 Australian Open
in February, her first Grand Slam title, and
finished the year at her career-high world
ranking of No. 4—making her the top-
ranked American player.
International Tennis Hall of Famer
Alejandro “Alex” Olmedo passed away
on Dec. 9, following a battle with brain
cancer. A champion at Wimbledon and the
Australian Nationals in 1959, Olmedo was
a fast, athletic player who reached No. 2 in
FREE
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the world. He was inducted into the Inter-
national Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987.
Tennis Channel has promoted Brian Wild
to vice president, on-air marketing and
promotions. He’ll continue to develop and
oversee the brand’s on-air look while man-
aging all promotions for the network.
Peter Burwash International (PBI) has
appointed Zachary Juhre to serve as tennis
director for the Stonegate Country Club in
Davis, Calif.
Larry Turville of Dunnellon, Fla., a
life-long competitive tennis player and
pioneer of the sport, died on Oct. 10 after
a battle with cancer at the age of 71.
playmatetennis.com
(800) 776-6770
11/17/19 2:19 PM
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13
 Letters to the Editor
Do Masks Mean
Better Tennis?
Believe it or not, people can play
better tennis when wearing a mask.
Since Connecticut’s governor mandat-
ed masks for all on-court activities this
fall, I’ve noticed that my students are
playing just as well, if not a little bit
better, than when they were not
wearing one.
I’m not saying it’s more comfortable
to play with, but their level of play is
the same, if not higher. And my fellow
pros have noticed the same with their
students.
So, why is this?
When players wear a mask, they
become more mindful of their breath-
ing. As a result, they slow down their
breathing, which calms them on the
court. Plus, I believe the mask improves
a player’s focus, helping to insulate
them from the many outside distrac-
tions. The result is a more calm and
focused player!
Greg Moran
Owner–Director of Tennis
Four Seasons Racquet Club
Wilton, Conn.
14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
Does playing tennis
in a mask hinder
performance?
Retail Crisis
I’d like to thank Racquet Sports Indus-
try for the honor it gave Mason’s Tennis
in the January issue. Peer recognition
is important, and a confirmation that
you are going in the right direction.
Years ago, I remember saying that
I was hesitant to give business advice
that my competitors might take advan-
tage of. Now, though, I feel differently.
I am more than happy to give as much
advice as I can, because I want to see
specialty retail survive. This profession
has been very good to me and I want to
give back.
To that end, I’m very concerned
about what I see manufacturers and
vendors doing now: wanting to go di-
rect to consumers. I see these vendors
also breaking MAP pricing, which is the
glue that holds our industry together.
They appear to feel that the future is
bleak for specialty retail, so they are
making plans that are not in our favor.
I believe we can fix this, and I want to
help in any way I can.
Mark Mason
Owner, Mason’s Tennis
New York City
More String
Playtests
I have been a USRSA member for
nearly 30 years, and while I appreciate
the service and information the USRSA
provides, I feel there’s been a decline in
some areas—specifically, the stringer
information in RSI. I remember when,
in nearly every issue of the USRSA
publication, there was a review of a new
string. Now, it seems we are lucky to
see three strings reviewed a year. And,
there sure are a lot of new strings that
come out annually.
Probably 75 to 80 percent of my
inventory today is based on those
reviews, and upon the sample strings
provided to USRSA members by the
manufacturers. I “discovered” so many
strings in this manner that I never
would have heard of or had the oppor-
tunity to try. This is especially true of
small string companies with just a few
lines of string. Some of these I still use
extensively today in my business.
Is there any way we can “revitalize”
this service to members?
Harold Porath
Yakima, Wash.
USRSA President David Bone responds:
Thanks so much for your note. We agree
the playtest program has been a great
benefit to our members over the years.
The number of strings being playtested
and reviewed in RSI has declined signifi-
cantly in the last 10 years. Unfortunately,
we have little control over this. The play-
test program has always been available
to string manufacturers in exactly the
same way—and, as you’ve indicated, it
has helped companies create excitement
and sales for their new strings.
Nearly every string company, though,
has cut its budget for marketing their
strings with playtests and free samples
to our members. Perhaps your words
will have an impact on some of the string
brands and encourage them to add play-
SHUTTERSTOCK
tests back to their marketing plans. 
We welcome your opinions and comments.
Email info@tennisindustrymag.com
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 10

TENNIS
TOP
TOP 10
10
REASONS
REASONS TO
TO PLAY
PLAY
TOP 10 REASONS TO PLAY

TENNIS
TOP REASONS TO PLAY

THE
THE SPORT
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heart-thumping game of tennis can keep
the brain in top shape.”
the brain in top shape.”

Tennis
Tennis is
is FUN!
FUN! Get
Get started
started TODAY!
TODAY!
Tennis
Tennis
Let is
is
TENNIS add FUN!
FUN! Get
Get
years to your life —started
started TODAY!
TODAY!
and life to your years!
Let TENNIS add years to your life — and
Go to USTA.com to find a place to play! life to your years!
Let TENNIS add years to your life — and life to your years!
Let TENNIS
Go to add years
USTA.com to findtoayour
placelife
to — and life to your years!
play!
Go to USTA.com to find a place to play!
Go to USTA.com to find a place to play!
 GrassrootsTennis
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Play It Forward!
NJTLs, public parks, CTAs and local
tennis pros are on the front lines
when it comes to growing our sport.
MISSOURI VALLEY
New Home for NJTL in Edmond
P
lay it Forward Tennis
Foundation (playitforward-
edmond.com) is a 3-year-old
NJTL in Edmond, Okla., that
entered a new phase recently when it
took up residence in the new Edmond
Center Court, a 30-court tennis facil-
ity built in partnership with Edmond
Public Schools. Focused on the idea
that “anyone from anywhere should be
able to play and compete,” the NJTL
reaches out to those with special needs
and those that might not have the
means to afford tennis instruction,
including reaching out to children in
the Down syndrome community.
With one coach for every three
16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
students, social distancing protocols
are never a problem as students learn
the game’s mechanics and do agility
training. Other precautions include
coaches wearing masks and six short
courts and one fitness station spread
among three regular-sized courts.
As with past programs, participants
receive a “player’s gift” at the end of
the session.
The move to the new tennis center
“will provide us the resources needed
to really take our Down syndrome
program to another level,” says
Director of Tennis David Minihan.
“We couldn’t be more excited.”
—Kent Oswald
MIDWEST
Adjusting Their
Game in Chicago
W
hen the coronavirus
pandemic hit, Love
to Serve Tennis and
Education Foundation
(ltstennisacademy.us) took a hybrid
approach to providing Chicago’s youth
with tennis and academic instruction.
Over the summer, the NJTL offered
virtual instruction in skills, drills and
technique for younger students, and
also offered on-court time with no
more than two students on the same
side of the net at once, with instruction
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y P L AY I T FO R WA R D T E N N I S F O U N DAT I O N, L OV E T O S E R V E
spread over three courts.
As part of the pathway to college
success, teens receive virtual tennis
instruction, as well as help preparing
for standardized tests, and inspiration
for self-directed independent proj-
ects that might range from creating a
posterboard of how the current health
concerns affect their lives to writing an
essay about Arthur Ashe.
Founded in 1992 by CEO L. LaMont
Bryant, the NJTL partners with After
School Matters, the Ray and Joan Kroc
Community Center, USTA Chicago
District and USTA Midwest, among
other groups.
The COVID situation “isn’t the best
scenario for tennis,” says Executive
Director Lori James, “but we are still
providing under-served youth with
unique opportunities to participate in
this wonderful sport.” —Kent Oswald
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 THE OFFICIAL PLAYING SURFACE
OF WORLD TEAMTENNIS

Photo: Ryan Loco

Some of the greatest moments in tennis

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877-4-HAR-TRU (877-442-7878) Charlottesville,Virginia

 Grassroots Support
FUNDRAISING FOR TENNIS
Building Foundations
Challenged by the pandemic, state
and regional tennis foundations are
filling in gaps at the local level.
By Rick Vach
G
rassroots funding to
get kids playing tennis
in after-school pro-
grams, to repair public
courts, and to support
special-needs groups
such as Special Olympics Tennis doesn't
just come from the national level. Many
of the 17 USTA sections have their own
state or regional foundations that need
your support, especially after a year of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
One example is the USTA Florida
18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
Section Foundation, which fundraises
primarily through a “Play Tennis!”
license plate, with more than 90 percent
of the proceeds going back into the
Florida community in the form of grants
to nonprofit tennis organizations.
“We take pride in providing support
to areas that fall outside the focus area
of USTA’s national foundation,” says
USTA Florida Section Foundation
Director Alexis Johnson. “We are fortu-
nate to have agreements with both Spe-
cial Olympics Florida and Love Serving
Autism to ensure those statewide tennis
programs receive what they need to be
most successful.”
The onset of COVID-19 made fun-
draising difficult in 2020 across the
board. At the national level, the USTA
Foundation primarily supports NJTL
(National Junior Tennis & Learning)
chapters, and it was able to make up its
COVID-19 fundraising drought with
some heavy lifting via their partners.
The USTA Foundation brought ESPN
and Chris Evert, and leveraged the US
Open to launch a “Rally to Rebuild”
campaign that raised over $5 million
to help fund 160,000 under-resourced
youth in 250 diverse U.S. communities
that the NJTL program serves.
To date, the national USTA Founda-
tion has awarded nearly $50 million
in grants, program services and schol-
arships to programs and individuals
throughout the U.S. The USTA Florida
The Bryan Brothers help
out at a section fundraising
event in Florida.
C O U RT E S Y U S TA F L O R I DA S E C T I O N F O U N DAT I O N
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Foundation, in turn, has given more than
$1.6 million in grants and facility awards
to the grassroots tennis community in
Florida, filling in the gaps for programs
that are not NJTLs and therefore not
eligible for national foundation funds.
In Florida, 100 percent of individual
and partnership donations made are
returned to the community and
grassroots programs, and more than
90 percent of the donations generated
from the purchase and annual renew-
als of the Play Tennis! specialty license
plates are returned to local grassroots
programs. In 2019 the USTA Florida
Section Foundation raised $182,196 and
awarded $165,506 in support back to
the community.
One example of a recipient is West
Care Gulf Coast Florida Inc., which re-
ceived $1,640 for a partnership program
with the St. Petersburg Tennis Center
that allowed the organization to launch
a new Racquets and Recovery program,
www.tennisindustrymag.com
to introduce tennis to individuals with
substance-use disorders or co-occurring
substance-use and mental-health disor-
ders. The purpose of the program was to
enrich the treatment experience of more
than 50 women and aid in building the
physical, mental and emotional skills
needed to achieve and sustain recovery.
“As addicts, a lot of times we isolate,”
says Charma Huffer, a Racquets and
Recovery program participant. “The
only people we are around are those
who are using, so now we get to be
around healthy people and healthy
settings and do healthy, normal things.
That’s really what we need in our lives.”
The program has become so success-
ful that it has continued running for up
to 50 women at a time as a part of the
third level of their treatment.
State and regional foundations, John-
son says, struggled mightily last year
and into 2021 due to the pandemic and
losing the ability to fundraise through
in-person events. The USTA Florida
Section Foundation Board of Direc-
tors has brainstormed new fundraising
objectives working around the corona-
virus and event shutdowns, but the Play
Tennis! license plate and subsequent
promotions remain a large part of their
fundraising.
“We love seeing the Play Tennis! plate
on cars as tennis players in the state of
Florida show their support,” Johnson
says. “It's through the efforts of every-
day players, and people who simply
want to support grassroots tennis
organizations, that we’re able to make
an impact and support local organiza-
tions that are in dire need of additional
support to remain operational.” 
For more information on the national
USTA Foundation and its activities, go to
ustafoundation.com. For information on
the USTA Florida Section Foundation,
visit ustafloridafoundation.com.
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19
 Racquet Sports
SQUASH
Catching Up With
US Squash
From new headquarters to Olympic
aspirations, the American arm of this
global sport is building momentum.
By Mary Helen Sprecher
S
quash, with its worldwide
following, remains, in the
words of US Squash Execu-
tive Director Kevin Klip-
stein, “an under-resourced
sport” in the U.S. But that
is changing, thanks to a number of
compelling developments.
20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
New National Headquarters
US Squash is in the midst of con-
struction of a $35 million national
center, with a soft opening tentatively
scheduled for early 2021. The
75,000-square-foot Arlen Specter
US Squash Center will be located
on the campus of Drexel University
in Philadelphia and will house US
Squash’s national headquarters. The
facility will feature 18 singles courts
(including two all-glass exhibition
courts) as well as two doubles courts,
a coaching excellence center, a
community engagement-focused
learning and innovation center, and the
U.S. Squash Hall of Fame.
“We had been considering a center
for a few decades,” says Klipstein, “and
after we had partnered with Drexel to
host our US Open, we started thinking it
just made sense to put our headquarters
around there. We got lucky in that there
was a big armory building and we were
able to take over the lease on it.” The
new location, he adds, “is really ideal for
us. Our core market is from Boston to
Washington, D.C.”
In terms of hosting tournaments,
Klipstein says the location has many
advantages, with both an international
airport and a train station nearby.
Additionally, the city offers tourism
potential for out-of-town visitors.
Squash as Advocacy
Part of US Squash’s mission includes
the enrichment of the lives of children
in disadvantaged areas. Proceeds
from US Squash benefit the Squash
and Education Alliance (SEA) and its
initiatives across the U.S., with programs
in 21 cities including Hartford (Capital
Squash), Harlem (StreetSquash) and
Baltimore (SquashWise).
Programs offer squash instruction,
and also tutoring, mentoring and
helping direct children to post-
secondary education, whether that is a
four-year college or a trade, vocational
or technical school. Students are
carefully tracked and supported
through college and into careers
following graduation. Over the years
the program has been offered, Klipstein
notes, 95 percent of graduates have
moved on to higher education.
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y U S S Q UA S H
The Geography of the Sport
Many people consider squash a sport
primarily played in New England, but
the actual demographics tell a different
story, according to Klipstein.
“Our two growth areas are Texas,
particularly Houston, and California,
where we’re seeing a lot of interest in
www.tennisindustrymag.com
the Bay area. There’s a lot of interest
and a lot of participation.”
Because these areas have diverse mi-
nority populations, including Asian, In-
dian and Latino players, they can open
the door to even more participants.
To assist clubs who want to cultivate
the squash population, US Squash has
a grant program to fund court conver-
sion. The club should have an under-
utilized racquetball court and want to
turn it into a squash court by creating
a new back wall, sanding the floors and
re-lining the courts.
Squash in the Olympics
If squash were a person, she’d be the pe-
rennial bridesmaid. The sport has tried
and failed to make it into the Olympics
four times in 16 years. The next time
the sport will try to make it into the
Summer Games will be for 2028, when
they will be held in Los Angeles.
Klipstein remains optimistic. As Cal-
ifornia is a growth market for squash, it
www.tennisindustrymag.com
should give the sport an edge.
“One of the things we’re really proud
of is the increased participation among
youth there,” Klipstein says of the
Golden State. “And really, what the U.S.
Olympic & Paralympic Committee is
very interested in is the post-Olympic
legacy—what they leave behind after
the Games are over. We think that not
only can we show a lot of youth partici-
pation, but also, our athletes are going
to be well-positioned to medal.”
Growth of the Game
Overall, squash has grown a whopping
260 percent in terms of core participa-
tion. That has ticked downward a bit
over the last few years, according to the
Sports & Fitness Industry Association,
but it’s still a strong sport.
“We peaked at about 1.7 million be-
tween 2010 and 2020,” says Klipstein.
“Of course, what comes next is unclear
because we have clubs and campuses
that have courts, and we don’t know yet
when or whether play can start again.
But prior to COVID, we’d had a very
big upswing in high school and college
programs.”
Leveraging Technology
To aid players in finding courts, as well
as in making reservations and locating
other players nearby, US Squash has
developed the software platform
ClubLocker. The system can also help
clubs develop and manage leagues and
ladders, as well as tournaments. US
Squash hopes to expand the platform to
other national governing bodies, who
could use it in place of individual systems
in place at clubs and other venues.
“At the end of the day, what we’ve
seen is that technology is a point of
leverage for under-resourced sports,”
notes Klipstein, who says the plat-
form has overtaken all other pieces of
software being used by clubs offer-
ing squash. “You need a place to play.
Here’s how to find one.” 
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21
 Customer Service
RACQUET STRINGING
Easing Tensions
When should players restring
their frames? It all has to do with
percentage of tension loss.
By Larry Haugness
USRSA Master Racquet Technician
I
t’s often confusing for tennis
players to determine when to
restring their racquets. Many
players don’t realize how
important strings are to their
game, and they’ll just tell their stringer
or racquet technician, “Put in the same
stuff as before.”
What these players may not under-
stand is how important the strings are,
since they’re the part of the racquet that
actually contacts the ball.
To best service your customers, I’d
like to offer a concrete solution that you
can relay to your players so they know
when they should restring.
Many years ago, back in the wood-
racquet era, I tried an experiment that
helped show me how important strings
are to a player’s game. At the time, I was
playtesting racquets for a manufacturer.
22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
I went to a home center and purchased
a cheap wood racquet for $9.95 and
painted it flat black like my playtest
frames. I put a decent grip on the frame
and strung it with the cheapest set of
gut string I could find. My total invest-
ment was under $28. Then I asked one
of the players at our club who was a
former high school state champion and
college tennis player to hit with it and
let me know what he thought.
He came back and said, “This racquet
hits so well, it has good touch and feel.”
I asked him what he thought it should
sell for. He said he would pay $160. For
a brief moment, I considered making
some easy money on this deal!
But more seriously, the player liked
the racquet so much he asked me who
made it. Obviously, it wasn’t the $9.95
racquet that formed his opinion; it was
the gut strings (but remember, they
were the cheapest gut strings I could
find), which made the frame play better,
with its great feel and superb play char-
acteristics. That was what impressed
him. The frame itself was just an
inexpensive piece of wood—in fact, the
frame collapsed on him the next week.
But this taught me that the strings
truly are as important, and maybe even
more important, than the racquet itself.
When Are Strings Dead?
How can your players tell if their strings
are dead? There are several keys:
First, do the strings move around and
continually need to be straightened? If
so, players won’t have as much power as
they did when the strings were newer,
so they’ll need to swing harder to
achieve the same results.
When the player hits the ball, does it
sound different than it used to? Is your
player experiencing new pain in their
arm, shoulder and/or elbow? As strings
lose their effectiveness, players will
lose touch or feel on shots, especially on
drop shots and volleys.
Often, players want to use what the
pros are using. But the pros hit the
ball harder and with more spin than
us mortals, and that requires different
characteristics in their string than what
the average player needs. Also, the aver-
age player won’t be restringing every
day or two like the pros.
The main questions are: What should
the average player do to maximize their
play with string tension; and how often
should they restring their racquet? The
old recommendation was to restring as
many times a year as you play in a week.
So, playing four times a week would
mean restringing every three months.
The problem with this is it doesn’t
take into account how many hours of
play each time, the skill level, string
composition, tension or the playing
SHUTTERSTOCK
style of the individual.
Some players even think the only
time they need to restring is when a
string breaks. In most of those cases,
www.tennisindustrymag.com
though, by the time a string is ready
to break, it’s already lost most of its
resiliency and elasticity as well as
tension. Since string tension loss is
so subtle, most players don’t feel the
difference until they play with their old
racquet followed by a newly strung one.
Do the strings move around and continually
need to be straightened? If so, players
won’t have as much power as they did when the
strings were newer, so they’ll need to swing
harder to achieve the same results.

When Tension Loss Affects Play

The USRSA feels that a 25 to 30 percent
drop in tension is enough to affect play.
Granted, at the lowest skill levels, a
player probably won’t be able to tell
a difference, but then, a drop of that
magnitude may well mean they’re not
playing as well as they could be.
I’ve had a 3.0 player who played with
a newly strung racquet tell me he felt
something was different compared
to his old string, but couldn’t identify
what exactly it was. I’ve also had some
3.5-level players say they felt like they
had more feel and more power with
a newly strung racquet over their old
string. Most of these players used their
old strings for about six months and
played an average of three to four hours
per week.
One player whose racquet had lost
26 percent of its tension said she felt
like the ball didn’t bounce off the string
as much as usual, and that she felt her
racquet was contacting the ball for a
longer time than before. From simply
my anecdotal evidence, I figure players
starting around the 3.5 level start to
recognize some difference between new
and old strings.
Measuring Tension Loss
The best way to tell when the tension in
a player’s racquet gets to that 25 to 30
percent drop is to measure it. There are
several ways to this.
You can purchase a small, por-
table tension tester like the Tourna
Stringmeter, Gamma Racquet String
Tester or MSV Mini SST. All of these
work pretty well and are reasonably
priced. A string-bed tester such as
the Alpha Stringway Stringlab will
give you an overall tension of the
stringbed.
An important point about string
tension testers: They do not record a
figure that is directly comparable with
the stringing machine tension. Strings
stretch during stringing, so the read-
ings will not necessarily be the same.
The best way to check your strings
is to test the tension immediately after
stringing. This is your base tension.
For this and all other readings, use
the same main string and position
for consistency and accuracy. Don’t
worry about checking the cross strings,
as they are already looser due to the
stringing process.
Every so often, check the tension
and record the percentage of loss, not
the reading from your tester. This is
a key point. Use the string tester as
a “comparison indicator”—that is,
something that allows you to compare
the state of the stringbed when you
first measure it to the figure you get on
subsequent checks. When you record a
25 to 30 percent loss in tension, it’s time
to restring.
If you use these ideas when it comes
to caring for your players’ racquets,
you’ll keep them playing their best
tennis, and also keep them coming back
to your shop. 
USRSA Master Racquet Technician
Larry Haugness is a USPTA Elite
Professional and PTR Certified (Level 5),
and a USRSA Certification Tester.
He has served on USTA National
committees for 27 years and has been
a frequent presenter at USPTA, PTR
and USTA workshops. This article first
appeared in the October 2020 edition
of The Stringer's Assistant, the monthly
digitial publication of the U.S. Racquet
Stringers Association. For more infor-
mation about the USRSA, visit www.
racquettech.com.

www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23

 Tennis Champions
PIONEERS IN TENNIS
Honoring Angela
With selflessness and determination,
tennis champion Angela Buxton was a
pioneer for equal rights.
By Jim Martz
O
n the first day of the
2019 US Open, the USTA
unveiled a new sculpture
honoring the late trail-
blazer and tennis great
Althea Gibson, who in 1956 became the
first Black player to win a Grand Slam
title (the French Championships). One of
the speakers at the ceremony was anoth-
er “outsider,” Angela Buxton, a Jewish
native of England who teamed with Gib-
son to win doubles titles at the French
Championships and Wimbledon in 1956,
and who herself reached the singles final
at the All England Club in 1956.
At the press conference, I asked Buxton
if she ever thought this day would come.
“No, ” she said. “I was quite shocked.”
I then asked how she felt about the
new Althea Gibson statue.
“You want an honest opinion?” she
24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
Buxton (left) and Gibson (right)
receive the Ladies' Doubles
trophy at the 1956 Wimbledon
from the Duchess of Kent.
replied. “It doesn’t resemble her at all.
Sorry to say that. I would have passed
[the statue] any day and not known who
it was … But the main thing is not the
statue. It's what I learned from her and
what I enjoyed with her.”
Never shy about speaking her mind,
whether in person or in the many maga-
zine columns she wrote (she was a con-
tributing editor to my magazine, Florida
Tennis), Buxton was virtually biting the
hand that fed her—former USTA presi-
dent and tour player Katrina Adams had
arranged for the US Open to pay her way
from England to New York to participate
in the statue’s unveiling.
At the ceremony, Buxton was asked
how she and Gibson complemented each
other as doubles partners.
“Well, it was terrible, actually, to begin
with,” she said, “because she had never
played doubles. No one had spoken to
her, let alone asked her to play doubles.
It was out of the question. This is how
she came to me in the first place and how
I came to her.”
But that’s who Buxton was—unafraid
to speak her mind and to do what she
thought, and knew, to be right. For all of
us in tennis, and in sports at large, Bux-
ton was a pioneer for equal rights. She
embraced Gibson at a time when African-
American athletes faced open racism and
prejudice, just as Buxton herself faced
prejudice over her own faith. And the
duo proved that it didn’t matter who you
were, where you came from, the color of
your skin or the faith you embraced—for
champions prevail.
When Gibson suffered health issues
and hard times in the early 1990s, it was
Buxton who came to the rescue when
other tennis organizations declined to
help, spearheading a drive that raised
nearly $1 million from donors around
the world and helping to extend Gibson’s
life—and quality of life—for a decade
(Gibson died in 2003 at the age of 76).
Buxton spent numerous winters in
Pompano Beach, Fla., and enjoyed at-
tending and covering the Miami Open,
but when the tournament was called
off last March due to COVID-19, she
returned to England as her health began
failing. She died in August at age 85.
Florida teaching pro Lindsey Murphy,
a native of England and friend of Bux-
ton’s, said Angela gave a lot of herself to
children in British tennis.
“She wanted to give English kids an
opportunity, particularly to come to the
Orange Bowl and Junior Orange Bowl
and to earn college scholarships.”
Then Murphy added: “Unfortunately,
Angela never was made a member of the
All-England Club, because she was Jew-
ish. She used to apply every year. It was
kind of ridiculous.”
Buxton, and Gibson, faced extraordi-
nary challenges in their lives and careers.
We all need to be grateful for their self-
less sacrifices and determination—and
for the examples they set. •
A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S
Jim Martz is the founder, editor
and publisher of Florida Tennis
(www.floridatennismagazine.com).
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 GIVE YOUR COURTS
THE LOOK OF THE WORLD’S
BIGGEST TOURNAMENTS.

As seen at the US Open,

Miami Open and
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sophistication of the NY Open, now you can get the same quality colors for your club, other court surface
school or residence, exclusively through Laykold. GET INSPIRED TODAY!

CONTACT US:
+1 888-384-2460 WWW.LAYKOLD.COM
 Court Construction
OUTSTANDING FACILITY-OF-THE-YEAR AWARDS
Meritorious Service
Racquet Sports Industry and the ASBA
bring you the best in tennis and pickleball
court construction and design.
In 2020, there were 12 tennis and seven
pickleball projects that were named
winners in the American Sports Builders
Association/Racquet Sports Industry
Facility-of-the-Year Awards program.
Eight of the winning tennis projects
were multi-court outdoor venues, led
by the Miami Open Tennis Facility
at Hard Rock Stadium. Four of these
outdoor winners were at schools, col-
leges or parks, while the two singled
26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
out for silver and bronze honors are at
country clubs. Honors for large outdoor
pickleball facilities continue to grow,
with seven awards for 2020—most at
publicly accessible centers. On the
residential side, four private tennis
courts were honored.
Each year, based on entries submit-
ted by an ASBA member who designed
or built the facility or court, the as-
sociation selects outstanding tennis
S TA NDING
OUT
HE YEAR
OUTDOOR
FT
EN O
T
NIS
FAC I L I T Y
and pickleball facilities that meet the
standard of excellence in design and
construction determined by the judging
committee. While the judges deemed 19
projects worthy of special recognition,
two of the tennis winners and one of
the pickleball winners were chosen for
Outstanding honors:
> Miami Open Tennis Facility
at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
Gardens, Fla.
> Angelo Drive Residence
in Beverly Hills, Calif.
> PGA Village Verano Pickleball
Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Normally, awards are presented to
the Outstanding and Distinguished
winners at the ASBA’s annual Technical
Meeting held in December, but due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, the winning
projects were honored at a virtual
presentation. For more information,
visit www.sportsbuilders.org.
www.tennisindustrymag.com

A B
Miami Open Tennis Facility
Hard Rock Stadium / Miami Gardens, Fla.
Nominated By: Fast-Dry Courts Inc.
Number of Courts: 30
Architect/Engineer: The Tennis Design Studio
Specialty Contractor: Fast-Dry Courts Inc.
Surface: Laykold; Big D Paving Co. Inc.
Suppliers: 10-S Tennis Supply; ACO Inc.
Certified Tennis Court Builder: John Sonner
Completed: March 2019
The new construction of asphalt tennis courts for the Miami
Open pro tournament included 18 practice and 12 competi-
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y A S B A
tion courts, including a grandstand court and a stadium court.
The specialty contractor dealt with the sub-base prep, rock,
asphalt, net posts, surfacing, fencing and concrete curb with
integrated sloped trench drain. Challenges included an ac-
celerated construction schedule and substantial coordination
with multiple sub-contractors. In addition, the majority of the
build was during the hurricane and rainy season.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
S TANDING
OU T
RESIDENTIAL
THE YEAR
OF
TE TY
NNIS
FAC I L I
Angelo Drive Residence
Beverly Hills, Calif.
Nominated By: Zaino Tennis Courts Inc.
Specialty Contractor: Zaino Tennis Courts Inc
Surface: California Sports Surfaces-ICP Rebound Ace
Certified Tennis Court Builder: Richard Zaino
Completed: July 2019
This beautiful tennis court in Beverly Hills was designed to
compliment the circular orientation of the historic residence
by renowned architect Wallace Neff. Among the challenges
was the need for a 1-foot-thick structural slab to be canti-
levered on concrete piles embedded over 25 feet into bedrock
due to the unique hillside location. The post-tensioned
concrete tennis court was placed over the structural slab.
The custom wood panel fencing, landscaping and pergola all
contribute to a one-of-a-kind, serene hilltop garden setting.
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27
 TS TA N DING
OU

THE YEAR
OUTDOOR PIC

OF
KL
EBA ITY
L L FAC I L

C COURT CONSTRUCTION

PGA Village Verano Distinguished Facility

Pickleball Center Honors
Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Nominated By: Welch Tennis Courts Inc.
Number of Courts: 27
Specialty Contractor: Welch Tennis Courts Inc.; Big D Paving Co. Inc.
Surface: California Sports Surfaces
LED Lighting: Frasure Reps/LSI Sports Lighting
Certified Tennis Court Builder: George Todd Jr.
This new community has the largest private pickleball
complex in South Florida, with 27 asphalt courts, including
a championship court—and was host to the 2019 World
Pickleball Open. The courts are arranged in batteries of three,
four and six. Construction originally included three oversized
canopies, but just before production, it was determined there
would not be adequate space between courts. The canopies
were re-engineered to be 18 x 50 feet and, due to their large
size, had to be constructed, shipped and installed in sections.
In addition to the three Outstanding Facility Award
winners, the 16 locations on page 29 were chosen by the
panel of judges for the ASBA as excellent examples of court
construction, receiving Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year
Awards. (The nominating company is in italics.) The ASBA
also awarded Silver and Bronze awards in various catego-
ries. You’ll read more about these winners in upcoming
issues of Racquet Sports Industry.
The deadline for the 2021 Outstanding Facility-of-the-Year
Awards is June 1, and awards will be presented at the
2021 ASBA Technical Meeting, scheduled for Orlando,
Fla., Dec. 3-6. For additional details, contact the ASBA
at 866-501-ASBA or info@sportsbuilders.org, or visit
www.sportsbuilders.org.

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 These 16 locations were chosen by the 2020 ASBA
panel of judges as excellent examples of court construction,
receiving Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards.

TINGUISHED TINGUISHED TINGUISHED

DIS DIS DIS

ITIES
OUTD
RESID

TIES
OUT

S
TIE

OO NT R

CIL
ILI

OO
I C A
D

E
RT IAL A PIC
LI

E N N I S FAC TENNIS F KLEBALL F

> Distinguished Outdoor > Distinguished Residential > Distinguished Outdoor

Tennis Facilities Tennis Facilities Pickleball Facilities

Silver Award Silver Award Silver Award

Bellerive Country Club Gardner Residential Tennis Court Opelika Pickleball Facility
St. Louis, Mo. Gardner, Kan. Opelika, Ala.
McConnell & Associates Corp. McConnell & Associates Corp. Lower Bros. Co. Inc.

Bronze Award Bronze Award Bronze Award

The Lake Club Charlestown Residence Kino Sports Complex
Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Charlestown Township, Pa. Tucson, Ariz.
Welch Tennis Courts Inc. Pro-Sport Construction Inc. General Acrylics Inc.

David Posnack Jewish Community Bongiorno Residence Bois D’arc Park

Center Radnor, Pa. Lenexa, Kan.
Davie, Fla. Pro-Sport Construction Inc. McConnell & Associates Corp.
Welch Tennis Courts Inc.
Green Valley Recreation Pickleball
Grove City College Tennis Courts Center
Grove City, Pa. Green Valley, Ariz.
Vasco Sports Contractors Renner Sports Surfaces

Sar Ko Park City of Inver Grove Heights–

Lenexa, Kan. North Valley Park Pickleball Complex
McConnell & Associates Corp. Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces
Village of Waunakee–Ripp Park Tennis LLC
Complex
Village of Waunakee, Wis. Town of Sandwich–Oak Crest Cove
Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces Pickleball Courts
LLC Sandwich, Mass.
Stantec’s Sport Group
Xavier College Preparatory High
School
Palm Desert, Calif.
Zaino Tennis Courts Inc.

www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29

 FACILITY
MANAGEMENT
2021
TENNIS ENVIRONMENT
Going
Green
With the motto ‘Yellow is the new
green,’ RecycleBalls wants tennis players
to be part of the solution.
By Cindy Cantrell
RecycleBalls has processed
more than 4.5 million tennis
balls so far, resulting in
$750,000 in tax deductions
for tennis facilities.
30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
D
errick Senior doesn’t
recall the exact date,
and the match had no
special significance. But
as the Shelburne, Vt.,
resident opened a new can of tennis
balls before one club match about
four years ago, he suddenly took
notice of all the other players around
him doing the exact same thing.
Later at home, Senior went online
and discovered that American players
discard 125 million used tennis balls
each year. Since it takes 400 years for
the rubber in tennis balls to decom-
pose, that translates into a staggering
20,000 metric tons of methane-
producing, near non-decomposable
rubber and nylon waste annually.
“Tennis players are contributing to
a significant problem in this country
and the world, with the U.S. as the
leading contributor of trashed tennis
balls,” said the 63-year-old, who has
played up to five times a week for the
past 20 years. “Tennis players want
to do the right thing, so we’re giving
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 We’re making a big difference as a collection solution and a recycling solution, but we’re also
in the activism business of changing habits. Our goal is to set a really good example,
especially for young players, that trashing tennis balls is no longer acceptable or necessary.
them a way to be part of the solution.”
Why, some may wonder, have tennis
balls not previously been recycled in
the U.S.? First, given that tire rubber
is so affordable, there hasn’t been a
profitable market or even demand for
recycled tennis ball rubber. In addition,
a formalized tennis ball collection pro-
gram would need to be sustainable and
nationally scalable, with investments in
infrastructure and management.
“Regardless of the challenges, we
set out with a program idea and a bold
nonprofit mission without knowing
exactly how we would make any of it
work,” Senior said. “We felt that if we
built it, the solutions would appear.”
Senior, a retired businessman
with three decades of experience in
manufacturing, branding, national
distribution and customer service,
launched a pilot program with his
son and cofounder, Ryan, which has
evolved into RecycleBalls (recycleballs.
org). Established in 2017 as a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization in South
Burlington, Vt., its mission is to recycle
www.tennisindustrymag.com
all tennis balls worldwide while
championed by the motto “Yellow is
the new green.”
Pack and Ship
The concept behind RecycleBalls is
simple. Any individual with 100 or
more tennis balls to recycle can box
them up, print a free shipping label
from recycleballs.org and ship them in
exchange for a tax-deduction receipt.
Facilities with a minimum of four
courts may register for the Quickship
program—a free, turn-key tennis ball
recycling solution consisting of green
and yellow cardboard bins, into which
players can place up to 200 used tennis
balls.
According to Senior, Quickship appli-
cations are reviewed daily. Those that
are approved receive a setup package
consisting of 10 foldable, self-locking
bins (complete with pre-attached,
prepaid UPS shipping labels) to accom-
modate a total of 2,000 tennis balls,
posters and directions. Awards are
presented when facilities recycle 3,000,
5,000 and 10,000 tennis balls, and
questions and suggestions are welcome
along the way.
To ensure the program runs smooth-
ly, a representative from the facility
is designated as the Program Cham-
pion whose responsibilities include
promoting the RecycleBalls mission;
displaying related signage, awards
and plaques; placing bins courtside on
indoor courts and near outdoor courts;
ensuring full bins are shipped and
replaced with empty ones; and sharing
images or videos of the program in
action for use on social media.
While the IRS requires donors to
determine the value of non-cash chari-
table donations, Senior said a typical
facility claims 40 cents per tennis ball—
which could mean $4,000 per 10,000
donated balls annually.
Once the tennis balls arrive at Re-
cycleBalls, they are deposited into the
Play It Green machine, a unique eco-
sports recycling solution that Senior
said required two years of research and
development. Able to remove 99 per-
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 31
 FACILITY
MANAGEMENT
2021
cent of the felt from 10,000 balls each
hour, the machine produces what he
calls “green gold,” or a fine, crumb-
like rubber. This material is used by
APT Sports to make new Laykold
Masters tennis courts, natural rubber
flooring for playgrounds and horse
arenas, rubberform sign bases and,
possibly, in the not-too-distant fu-
ture, T-shirts and tennis shoes.
“It’s good for the environment, it’s
an immediate feel-good for players,
it’s super easy to manage and it’s bet-
ter than free for facilities because the
tax benefit is huge,” Senior said. “No
facility should be without Recycle-
Balls, and that’s the vision that keeps
me and my team going.”
When tennis balls arrive at
RecycleBalls, they go into the
Play It Green machine, which
produces "green gold," a
fine, crumb-like rubber.
32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
Donations are accepted online to
cover operating costs and expand the
partner network, with the goal of col-
lecting 20 million tennis balls by 2022.
To date, RecycleBalls has partnered
with more than 2,000 tennis players
and tennis clubs in 48 states, placing
15,000 recycle bins courtside. More
than 4.5 million tennis balls have been
kept out of landfills, and $750,000 in
tax deductions has been generated.
Industry Partners
RecycleBalls is also working with
industry leaders such as the Tennis
Industry Association and USTA, which
hosted the organization’s collection
efforts at the 2020 US Open. In 2019,
RecycleBalls signed a three-year part-
nership with Wilson Sporting Goods,
which includes sponsorship funding
and institutional guidance. Support
also comes from partner fundraising
efforts, corporate sponsorships and
sales of green gold and balls for use as
dog toys.
“We’re making a big difference as
a collection solution and a recycling
solution, but we’re also in the activism
business of changing habits,” Senior
said. “Our goal right now is to set a re-
ally good example, especially for young
players, that trashing tennis balls is no
longer acceptable or necessary.”
To date, Senior said the organiza-
tion’s growth has largely been due
to word of mouth and exceptional
customer engagement and service.
In fact, RecycleBalls recently helped
establish an affiliated nonprofit called
RecycleBalls Canada, which he hopes
is another step toward becoming a
worldwide presence. The organization
also earned widespread attention as a
finalist for a 2019 Halo Award, the high-
est honor for social and environmental
corporate initiatives in North America.
“It doesn’t matter who or where you
are,” Senior said. “If you’ve got tennis
balls to recycle, go to our website for
help. We’re just a click away.” •
To become part of the tennis ball recy-
cling solution, visit recycleballs.org.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 ,
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 OUTLOOK
2021 2021

FOOTWEAR

Positive
Reinforcement 2

Footwear manufacturers remain

optimistic that the new year
will bring more play, and
the chance for more sales.
By Kent Oswald

L
1

et us whisper that
2021 might be a good
year for the tennis
industry. The tours
have returned to
screens and streams.
Public and private
courts are reopening in fits and starts.
Tennis and pickleball are proving
great ways to exercise and engage with
others outside the house through
socially distanced play. And there is
buzz of new and returning players.
Among other things, more play 1 /ADIDAS 2 /BABOLAT
translates to increased shoe sales. adidas.com babolat.com
While it has been a few years since 971-234-2300 877-316-9435
there were brick-and-mortar sales
trends to celebrate—and a worldwide
C O U RT E S Y A D I DA S, B A B O L AT, F I L A , H E A D, K- S W I S S

pandemic does little to turn that
around—retailers and manufacturers
are increasingly successful meeting
new demand for footwear through
online strategies.
We won’t speak louder of these
hopes for fear of jinxing positive signs.
Still, reading through what manu-
facturers are sharing so far does call
to mind what happens immediately
before a match begins. There are
introductions by the umpire, a pause,
then, “Play!”—and that is when the
real fun begins.
• Looking forward to riding the wave
of positivity in both clothing and
footwear, Adidas unveiled its lightest
shoe yet, the Ubersonic 4 ($130), with
new colors for both men and women,
a more durable woven upper (from
fully sustainable, recyclable materi-
als) and new midsole compound for
greater comfort and responsiveness.
Among those slated to showcase
these new rides beginning in Australia
are Alexander Zverev, Stefanos
Tsitsipas, Angelique Kerber and
Garbine Muguruza.
• Providing enhanced cross-surface
agility, the Jet Mach 3 ($140)
launched in January with a reengi-
neered and more responsive Michelin
sole, a higher strength fabric upper,
and additional cushioning and sup-
port inside. The recently launched
lightweight and breathable Jet Tere
($110) will be adding new colorways
for both men’s and women’s versions
in February. The same month will also
see new hues on the SFX3 ($100), a
performance shoe emphasizing com-
fort and durability.

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Tennis and pickleball are proving great ways to exercise and engage
with others outside the house through socially distanced play.
And there is buzz of new and returning players.

4
3

3 /FILA 4 /HEAD 5 /K-SWISS

fila.com head.com kswiss.com
800-845-FILA 800-289-7366 800-938-8000

• The lightweight, flexible Axilus 2
Energized ($110) will feature new
colorways at the Australian Open and
Roland Garros. Continuing the pattern
of recent seasons, the shoes worn by
world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and Ameri-
can No. 1 Sofia Kenin, as well as John
Isner and Diego Schwartzman, will
coordinate with Fila clothes debut-
ing themes for the two majors. 2021
will also see new colors adorning the
Volley Zone ($110), the company’s shoe
designed for the more frequent stop-
start-stop-starts of pickleballers.
• Signing Marin Cilic as the lead global
endorser for shoes and sportswear will
heighten visibility for Head’s line, while
new tweaks to the high-performance
series roll out in March and April.
The Sprint SF ($159.95) gets a color
upgrade and more robust cushioning;
the Sprint 3.0 ($129.95) receives design
tweaks on the outside; the Revolt 3.5
($119.95) features refreshed uppers and
a heel redesigned for more stability and
comfort; the Revolt Evo ($109.95) has
exterior design enhancements, as does
the Revolt Pro Junior ($79.95).
• The Ultrashot 3 ($145) debuted in
January, and while K-Swiss’s co-
design venture with Lucky in Love
brings one type of attention, that
shouldn’t eclipse the attention to
technology built into this high-per-
formance shoe. The Ultrashot 3 offers
an improved outsole for durability,
grip and traction, as well as enhanced
energy and support through the mid-
sole. The line will also see colorways
unveiled during the year for the
Hypercourt Supreme ($135) and
Express Light Pickleball shoe ($95).

www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35

 While it has been a few years since there were brick-and-mortar sales trends to celebrate—
and a worldwide pandemic does little to turn that around—retailers and manufacturers are
increasingly successful meeting new demand for footwear through online strategies.

C O U RT E S Y L O T T O, M I Z U N O, N E W B A L A N C E , P R I N C E , W I L S O N, YO N E X
6 /LOTTO 7 /MIZUNO 8 /NEW BALANCE
lotto.sportlife.us mizunousa.com newbalance.com
484-261-2100 800-392-9899 800-595-9138

• Claiming a sweetspot in the stability/
durability/flexibility balance, Lotto’s
Mirage 300 ($99.95) for men and
women club players rolls out in new
colorways during the first months of
the year.
• Mizuno’s Wave Exceed Tour 4 AC
($120) will be dropping new color-
ways and increased cushioning onto
men’s and women’s platforms that
are built ultra-lightweight for agility
and acceleration. Using an expand-
ing distribution footprint, the new
year will be the inaugural season for
the All Wave Exceed SL 2 AC ($105),
a lightweight, plush and breathable
shoe well-adapted for both tennis and
pickleball play.
• Plans are for a build in New Bal-
ance tennis product throughout the
year. The 996v4 ($130) will be worn
by Coco Gauff among other pros at
the Australian Open and will feature
new colors. Promised for later in the
year are new features for the tennis
line based on technology pioneered in
other sports categories.

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com


9 10
11
9 /PRINCE
princetennis.com
• The classic T22 ($99) for men,
women and juniors will arrive in new
color combinations, but will continue
to provide comfort and durability for
club players. Tweaks to the technology
are expected in a summer rollout.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
10 /WILSON
wilson.com
773-714-6400
• Available at the Wilson.com website
and select specialty retailers, the Kaos
Mirage ($169) takes over as headliner
of the light and agile footwear series
beginning in March. New chassis
construction technology provides
better arch support and lateral stabil-
ity. The men’s and women’s Rush Pro
3.5 ($129) continues with its wider toe
box even as it features a sleeker design
and improved upper mesh for a more
adaptable fit. The Kaos Swift ($119) will
allow new color options for both men
and women.
2021
11 /YONEX
yonex.com
424-201-4800
• To provide the highest level of
stability, the Eclipsion 3 ($155) fea-
tures a graphite sheet inserted at mid-
foot and a one-piece outsole. Focused
on comfort, the Sonicage 2 ($120) has
a durable skin supporting agility and
speed. Both are available in men’s
and women’s versions, as well as with
hard-court and clay-court soles.
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37
 YOUTH
TENNIS
2021

TENNIS AND EDUCATION

Community
“We had to do something different,”
says Aaron Foster, the proprietor
of Cycle Therapy, the Black-owned
studio that sponsored that July ride.
“When COVID hit, it restricted us

Impact
from having anyone at the gym, so
we shifted to XS Tennis. It kept our
community active.”
Inviting Foster to host his
spin classes is an example of the
community impact Kamau Murray
XS Tennis & Education Foundation is envisioned when he started the
non-profit XS Tennis & Education
changing lives in Chicago. Foundation in 2005.
From a humble start using a city
By Joe Tedino armory and public courts 15 years
ago, XS has blossomed into a large,
permanent facility where juniors,
adults and pro-circuit players play
One summer afternoon, two dozen cyclists pedaled to pop music at a social- side-by-side. The 116,000-square-foot
distancing spin class after weeks in lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. building has 12 indoor courts, three
They were glad to be back in the saddle, but some thought the venue was a bit mini-courts, a 10,000-square-foot
unusual: They were outside on the soccer field at the 13-acre XS Tennis facility, gym, and three academic classrooms.
which sits on land on Chicago's southside that was once home to the nation’s larg- Outside, XS has 11 hard courts, four
est public housing project. red clay courts, and the soccer field

38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Despite the pandemic, XS Tennis grew its membership from about 880 to 1,400,
which Murray attributes to two factors: the low-contact
nature of tennis, and suspending guest privileges to limit crowd sizes.
used for children’s summer day camp
and evening adult spin classes last
summer and fall.
“We’re doing these other things
to complement tennis to get people
active,” says Murray, who also coaches
PHOTOS COURTESY XS TENNIS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Sloane Stephens, winner of the 2017
US Open. “You don’t get athleticism
on the tennis court. To compete on a
global scale, we have to make tennis
players more athletic.”
Growing Membership
As the lockdown ended in June, XS
Tennis reopened its doors to youth
summer camp. XS also hosted USTA
junior tournaments and provided
courts for public and private high
school teams that found public tennis
courts closed. Through it all, XS staff
carried out thorough safety measures.
The facility also closed its doors to
guests and spectators to help keep
everyone safe.
Despite the pandemic, XS grew its
www.tennisindustrymag.com
membership this year from about 880
to 1,400, which Murray attributes to
two factors: the low-contact nature of
tennis, and suspending guest privi-
leges to limit crowd sizes.
“We had people actually cancelling
their memberships at other clubs and
becoming a member here,” he says.
XS’s prime mission is to give
economically underprivileged chil-
dren—Black and brown youth from
throughout the city—a chance to play
tennis year-round regardless of their
ability to pay and to use the sport to
help further their education.
A floor-to-ceiling mural near the
front desk displays the names and
faces of former students and their
college logo—some of the 47 XS alums
who have received scholarships to
Division I colleges.
“We couple the education, the test
prep with what we do on court to en-
able the student-athlete to excel on
the court and in life,” Murray says.
February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
Some of the 47 XS Tennis
students who have received
scholarships to Division I
colleges are honored on a mural
displayed near the front desk.
As XS and other facilities continue
to recover from the COVID-19 crisis,
attention is once again focused on
diversity.
“The thing we have to work to over-
come is that when the tennis industry
tries to make Black decisions, they just
don’t have enough input from enough
minority people,” Murray says.
Jill Siegel, executive director of the
Chicago District Tennis Association,
offered suggestions for how to drive
more diversity in a city where weather
and high indoor court fees prevent
tennis from being a year-round option
for children from disadvantaged com-
munities.
“Our network of schools and com-
munity organizations can help to
mitigate the lack of indoor courts
by providing programming that can
spark interest,” Siegel says. “If we can
keep interest going during the school
year and get more summer programs
going, we can improve the inclusive-
ness of the sport.”
Murray agrees: “This needs to be
more organic, more localized and
invested deeper in people with a history
of successfully reaching ... volumes of
minority kids on a regular basis.”
Other Black-led organizations
nationally that do this well include the
Harlem Junior Tennis and Education
Program, the Washington Tennis
& Education Foundation, the Zina
Garrison Academy in Houston and,
more recently, the Sloane Stephens
Foundation in Fort Lauderdale.
When Stephens asks for program-
ming advice, Murray says he points to
lessons learned at XS.
“I tell her she needs to ensure that
she is doing things that are going to be
effective,” he says, “and have impact
on these kids’ lives.” •
39

RACQUET SPORTS
Saving Our Courts
Pickleball seems to do a much better
job advocating for what it needs.
Can tennis state the case for itself?
By Denny Schackter
W
ith the pandemic,
sports that have a
built-in degree of
physical distancing,
like tennis and pick-
leball, have been fairly popular. But as
pickleball continues to grow, I’ve noticed
some tension between these two sports,
which makes me concerned for tennis.
My wife plays pickleball. She enjoys
it because her physical abilities match
up well with the sport. For many people,
pickleball is a great way to expand motor
and mental skills without putting one’s
body in a precarious position.
Recently, my wife introduced me to a
fellow pickleball player who coordinates
much of the pickleball activities at our
club. He told me that many of the tennis
pros at the club resent pickleball. He said
he’s had to work hard to get space so that
40 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021
YourServe
he can conduct pickleball activities.
This got me thinking. In a typical city,
the park and rec department oversees
athletic facilities—monitoring and repair-
ing the venues, building new facilities,
running programs at them for all age
groups. Pickleball players seem to be a
doing a much better job “politicking”
park and rec agencies and boards so that
resources come their way. Tennis players,
on the other hand, seem to stay on the
sidelines, not engaging or creating sup-
port for their tennis courts, then watch-
ing as they slowly but surely disappear.
This is a problem that affects more
than recreational tennis players, who will
have a harder and harder time finding a
place to play. Also suffering will be high
school and college teams that use public
courts to practice and compete.
Pickleball players always seem ready
and able to help aspiring players learn
the basic skills of their sport and find
places to play, and they’re always very
welcoming when it comes to introducing
new players to existing players. In the
tennis world, this often is not the case.
Tennis also needs to be concerned
that park and rec departments hire
qualified teachers, otherwise aspiring
tennis players will receive less than
adequate instruction, resulting in a less
Tennis players can’t just
stand by and watch others win
the budgetary and resource
battles in our communities.
than satisfactory tennis experience. The
USPTA and PTR have long advocated
that education and certification need to
be keys for teaching tennis. If we, as ten-
nis players, do not insist on that happen-
ing, we will lose more tennis candidates.
What can recreational tennis play-
ers and providers do? CTAs, high school
coaches, parents, district USTA officials
and many others should start meeting
with the local decision-makers regarding
facility construction, maintenance and
usage. Also, run for election on local park
and rec boards, which can ensure tennis
won’t be an afterthought in your commu-
nity. And push for accurate data regarding
the number of tennis players in your com-
munity, so that park boards realize a good
percentage of its residents play tennis.
Obviously, tennis and pickleball can,
and should, get along. They both can
provide important segments of society
with much-needed fitness and activity.
But tennis players can’t just stand by
and watch others win the budgetary and
resource battles in our communities.
Tennis players need to start lobbying for
and advocating for what the sport needs.
Denny Schackter is owner of Tennis
Priorities, specializing in recruiting and
placing teaching professionals. He is a
SHUTTERSTOCK
USTA volunteer and member of the USPTA
and PTR.
We welcome your opinions and comments.
Email info@tennisindustrymag.com.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 February 2021

Growing Our
Base From the CEO

Positive
Takeaways
Vice President’s Message

Making the Basics

Interesting
Master Professional Corner

Serving Aspects from a

Singles Perspective
Member Feature

Pickleball
Perspective
NetWork

Mark Bey, USPTA Elite Professional

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Growing Our Base
A s many of you are aware, the global
pandemic has caused our tennis
industry to think differently and act
differently. To truly impact our sport
positively, the USTA, USPTA, PTR, ATA,
ITA, Tennis Magazine/RSI, and the TIA
came together last spring to create the
Tennis Industry United Task Force. The
TIU’s mission is to focus on the strengths
and resources of its respective industry
organizations to promote and ensure the
continual growth of tennis in the USA.
With all the major stakeholders at the
table together addressing significant issues
facing this great game during the past year
(rather than working in our own individual
silos), we were able to accomplish a great
deal in a short period: the tennis facility
grant program, the 2021 dues subsidy for
USPTA members, recommendations on
safety protocols for facilities to open and
remain vibrant.
As 2020 wound down, the TIU began
to turn its attention to other pressing
needs that our industry demands.
Together, we will develop and implement a
comprehensive, collaborative action plan
that drives two core priorities for tennis:
To mobilize tennis advocates
across the country to promote
the benefits of tennis, to attract
non-players into the game, and to re-
engage lapsed players.
From the CEO USPTA
John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
To promote greater diversity and
inclusion in overall tennis player
participation and throughout
the industry.
As far as number 1 above, we know for
a fact that during the pandemic, tennis
experienced a little “mini-boom” with
families taking up tennis for the first
time. While other sports were shut down,
tennis is viewed as a healthy activity that
is inherently socially distanced. We also
know that many of our pros across the
country were busier than they were pre-
COVID, which is excellent news. Thus,
capturing those newbies and their families
is going to be critical to expanding our
base. Advocating for our sport through all
segments of government and society, in
general, is a strategic priority.
As for item 2, in the words of our
President, Feisal Hassan — the USPTA
had embarked on an aggressive track
in 2020 to make our membership look
more like America. Specifically, attracting
more women into the tennis-teaching
profession and building our base with
coaches of color are two pillars of this
strategy. Toward that end, I am proud to
inform you of two steps the USPTA has
taken to accomplish these tasks.
First, we collaborated with the Women’s
Tennis Coaches Association (WTCA) and
helped promote their virtual conference
held last November. As we look to 2021, we
will expand the relationship and partner
on two educational events in the fall: one
February 2021
will be in NYC during the US Open, and
the other will be three weeks later during
our World Conference in Las Vegas. By
focusing on female coaches’ issues in
today’s environment, we hope to recruit
more women to pursue a tennis-teaching
career and USPTA certification. More
details about these two conferences will be
forthcoming as the year progresses.
Secondly, the USPTA and the American
Tennis Association (ATA) signed a historic
and exclusive agreement in December to
provide ATA coaches access to USPTA
educational events throughout the
country. The USPTA will also support
the ATA National Championships when
it is played here at the USTA National
Campus in August and encourage
African American coaches to seek
USPTA certification. It is appropriate
that we celebrate Black History Month
in February with this announcement
that leverages the strength of the USPTA
within the community of African
American players and coaches who aspire
to elevate their tennis standards.
During these challenging times,
organizations that can adapt and do things
differently are the ones that will succeed
and thrive. I am proud of how we have
responded to this new world in which we
live as we continue to remain relevant and
forward-thinking. The USPTA has a strong
voice on the TIU and will be steadfast in
our efforts to grow our professional base
from all communities. *
ADDvantage Magazine - 43
 “Theragun has
changed the
game for me.”
Amanda Anisimova
Professional Tennis Player
and Theragun Athlete

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well as reduce soreness and relieve pain after and in between matches.

Positive Takeaways
A s we slowly but optimistically ease
into 2021, I want to remind everyone
about many of the great things your staff,
board, and members have been working
on during our forced shutdowns. First,
the World Headquarters has been fully
functional, whether the team has worked
from home or in the office — we routinely
get questions answered and are kept up to
date on the state of association activity.
Second, we are fortunate, more
than most, that we operate a business
deemed one of the safest during COVID
restrictions. Even indoor facilities found
secure ways to allow their members
to continue playing. Our USPTA
professionals are mindful about keeping
students safe so that they’re able to take
lessons still. Many events in 2020 had to
be canceled or rescheduled, but we did
have moments when tennis felt almost
normal. I am grateful most of us can
continue to earn a living, which is more
than many Americans can say at this
time.
Along with fellow board members Mark
Faber, Lane Evans, and staff liaison Rico
Edwards, I’m incredibly pleased to report
the significant inroads we have made on
s our Diversity and Inclusion initiative. A
survey was sent out to help us correctly
s identify the extensive diversity we have
within our ranks. We also addressed our
Vice President’s Message USPTA
Trish Faulkner, USPTA Vice President
female members with a questionnaire
asking for feedback regarding their
feelings towards the organization. We then
USPTA divisions were asked to help
obtain fascinating items for possible
online auctions — or, if allowed, on-site
asked for their suggestions on how we conference auctions in 2021. Remember,
could bring more women into the USPTA. these auctions are not solely for USPTA
Addressing all comments, concerns, members, so tell your clients and friends
and ideas at our board meeting in January that they can also bid! From lavish trips to
was imperative. We continue our goal of brand new equipment, lesson packages,
making sure we are doing all we can to sports memorabilia, gift cards, airline
stay welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. miles, tennis accessories and outfits — no
So, what does that mean for the piece is too small or too large to auction
USPTA as a whole? Here are some of the off. We will work with you to set up the
queries posed: auction, how to best handle bidding, and
Are we genuinely inclusive? Do we the subsequent collection and delivery
acknowledge and treat all members with of all bids and funds. Of course, personal
respect? Do we go out of our way to make donations to the USTA Foundation,
sure members know they are welcome? earmarked for the USPTA Fund are
Do we prejudge newcomers? Are we able always welcome.
to set aside any preconceived ideas about I know every member has been affected
what our members should look like? Are by COVID-19 in one way or another. For
we willing to mentor fellow professionals the parents who had to juggle virtual
so that they may grow and become our schooling with everyday tasks, careers, and
future leaders? Do we believe that to be Zoom meetings, I hope this spring brings
diverse and inclusive, we need to bring good health and positive news about the
all levels of certified professionals into virus. Please continue to stay safe. Your
the USPTA? USPTA friends are in this with you. *
I know for the USPTA to strengthen
and succeed, we must acknowledge
and utilize our experienced
members to support our
incoming pros. These
forthcoming leaders should
come from diverse cultures
and communities — reflecting our entire
membership base. Let us all do our part
to increase diversity within our sport and
the USPTA.
On another note, we are diligently
working with the USTA Foundation
to ensure we are raising money for
the USPTA Fund. Therefore, all 17
February 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 45
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3:32 PM
USPTA Master Professional Corner

Making the Basics Interesting: The

Challenge for All Tennis Coaches
João Pinho, USPTA Master Professional

I n simple terms, what differentiates

a highly competitive player from a
less accomplished one? In most cases,
it comes down to their fundamentals.
While technique alone does not guarantee
success, someone who’s more successful
will tend to have better split steps,
cleaner unit turns, smoother swing paths,
etc. With that said, one of the biggest
challenges I see in our industry is how
a pro navigates the fine line between
making their sessions rich in fun but
lacking in content or the other way
around — great content but not engaging.
It’s fair to say that we have all
seen lessons where the pro(s) did a
tremendous job getting players excited
but underachieved in providing the
material to help the player develop in the
medium to long-term. On the other hand,
we’ve also see lessons full of lectures (with
of thinking through your lessons can be
similar; more to come on that later.
The characteristics of
the pro staff
What’s the experience level of your staff
within a particular segment? Should
you seek another staff member to fill a
gap that you may have on your team?
Or, could your current personnel be
developed to fulfill the roles that you
are seeking?
From my experience, having a system to
create your lesson plans and progressions
can simplify the pro’s execution and
enhance the learning curve for the player.
The list below may help you think about
creating a “fun-to-learning” ratio that
suits your classes and programs.
Develop the content
of the lesson —
content is king
Regardless of the level and age group,
be sure that your “meat and potatoes”
are present — meaning there’s a clear
and meaningful message. Your staff and
players should know precisely what the
focus is for that given day or drill.
Err on the side
of simplicity
Tennis is a simple game — it is people
that make it complicated! Focus on
necessary and specific skills: split steps,
unit turns, effective movement to the
ball (aka “walking to the ball” concept),

Photo courtesy of S. Sermram

good content), but fail to connect with the
player and get him/her motivated.
While both scenarios have value, it is
crucial to fine-tune your plans to find a
balance that best fits the player or group
in front of you. This vital skill is more of an
art than a science, and in order to decide
where the pro should draw this line, several
aspects should be considered:

The program’s objectives

and audience
Is your program focused on 10U, junior
recreational development, high-
performance, or adults? Each of these
groups requires a unique balance between
fun and content. However, the process

48 - ADDvantage Magazine February 2021


directional control, service and returns,
and basic tactical concepts. Select one or
two of these elements at a time. As players
develop, dive deeper and add variations to
the concepts already taught.
Create realistic
drills and games
While researching new drills can
be helpful, ask yourself the following
question: What scenarios or skills are
essential and relatable to this particular
player or group? Your best source of drill
ideas is your players! They’ll tell you
what they need to work on — it’s our job
to interpret that info and package it in a
simple but exciting way.
Once you know the area or skill they
need to focus on, work backwards to create
drills that will “isolate” that aspect and
build from there as the lesson progresses.
Go from a closed environment (such as
dead ball drills) to a more open one (with
live ball controls and points).
A common issue that we have to avoid
is the “standard class” method, where
the pro virtually gives the same lesson
regardless of who’s on the other side.
While this can make the coach’s life easier,
as less planning is needed and “auto-pilot”
can take over, he/she will likely pay the
price down the road as players will either
get tired of the same material — or exhibit
a diminished rate of improvement.
Photo courtesy of Microgen
Master Professional Corner USPTA
Be a master of
tweaking simple
drills
In a sport where repetition plays a
major role, it’s nearly impossible to avoid
repetitive activities. However, making
small adjustments to drills can significantly
change the player’s experience and make
them more productive. For example: How
many ways can you do a simple cross-court
rally drill? The player can rally with no
particular objective or:
• Play their inverted strokes
• Count shots in a row
• Count shots into a particular zone
• Compete on “wearing the ball
out” for a specific time
• Start the rally with a serve
• Alternate topspin with slices
• Go for a specific combination of
shots (push player back,
then angle)
• Adjust the court position, where
one player has freedom, while the
other has to stay at the baseline
to work on specific skills.
We could go on and on about small
variations of these particular drills. The
point is, we don’t always need a new
routine to keep it fresh and interesting for
the players.
February 2021
Turn your drills into
individual and team
competitions when
appropriate
Knowing that most players tend to like
points more than drills, look to create
the same excitement and accountability
that we “naturally” get when competing
throughout your exercises. However, this
concept is not always relevant. Players
must learn how to focus on specific
skills without being concerned about
the outcome. Turning live or dead ball
drills into competitions can increase the
players’ engagement level.
Present your
activities with
enthusiasm
The energy from your students
will often be a result of your own!
Therefore, be aware of your tone, facial
expressions, voice projection, and other
communication cues that significantly
impact the perception of your message.
The first person that needs to get excited
about the next activity/drill is you!
As pros, we have a massive influence
on our sport’s future — and the
industry’s growth rate is concerning. The
connection with players can often be
the difference of our students becoming
another “tennis trier” instead of a “tennis
player” (ie. someone that will stick
around for life, regardless of his/her
level). Finding the right balance between
fun and learning is a critical factor for this
“conversion.” However, fun, hard work,
and content are not mutually exclusive.
It takes a skilled pro to find the right
balance. Hopefully, the list above provides
a simple guideline that anyone can use to
create their own “fun-to-learning” ratio.
Sometimes the most straightforward
ideas are the most powerful ones. If you
have any questions or comments, please
do not hesitate to contact me at
joao.pinho@usta.com.*
ADDvantage Magazine - 49
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 Member Feature USPTA

Serving Aspects from a

Singles Perspective
Levander Kelley, USPTA Master Professional

I n tennis, not all points are created

equal! Love-love is not the same as
deuce. Advantage in (Ad-In) is not the
As the server, you will need to be exact
with the type of serve — use the flat, spin,
slice, or kick. Pick one and practice that
same as advantage out (Ad-Out), so why particular serve when playing out the 10
are you playing these different points points. As the returner, practice hitting
the same? Give yourself a lead by having to one individual area. Understanding
separate strategies for different point that you need to develop a down-the-
situations. The best way to develop your line, midcourt, and cross court returns,
style of play is by practicing these specific you will want to perform one at a time to
point settings. become consistent with all three.
Instead of routinely participating to The deuce is different from the love-
improve your game, take 30 minutes love point. Here, you must win two
to work on a precise point situation points in a row to win the game.
that you’re having trouble winning. For
example, on the first point of each match
(love-love), try to keep your opponent
under pressure on their serve by winning
this crucial point. Doing so will force your
opponent to win two consecutive points
to take the lead. It also will ensure you
are the first to 30 (0-30) or (15-30) if they
cannot win two successive points.
Practice by being the server or the
returner. Have a scoring system to
create a competitive environment.
First, give the point its correct
value by calling out the score.
Be clear when practicing so
that you are apparent with
this specific point situation
during a competitive
match. Each player
will play 10 straight
Gaël Monfils,
points as a server
or returner, then
2020 ATP ranked No. 11
Photo courtesy of Iev Radin
switch.

February 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 51

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 Member Feature USPTA

When practicing, your language
must be correct, so call out the score to
distinguish which point is being played.
Know that it will take two points to win
the game, not just to apply pressure.
The same training patterns apply here
— select whether you are the server or
returner and play out the points using
that specific point to develop regularity.
Identifying the advantage points (ad-in
or ad-out) will enable you to create a plan
of controlling this point with confidence.
We watch pros with amazement when
they step to the line and crack an ace just
when needed, or a kick serve that takes
their opponent entirely off the court, and
then their next shot is an easy put-away.
To consistently win the ad point,
master these four serves:
Flat Serve
The flat serve develops your
consistency with pace down the middle
(T-serve) or deep in the service box’s
sideline corner.
Spin Serve
The spin serve is outstanding to
decrease double faulting. As a first or
second serve, it is a great way to avoid
giving your opponent a free point.
directly into your opponent’s body will
cause a short return, enabling you to hit
a put-away.
Kick Serve
The kick serve can be used to take
your opponent off the court as well — or
cause a weak return by moving the ball
out of your opponent’s strike zone. The
difference between the kick serve and a
spin serve is the aggressive revolution
of the ball. Kick serves are used to win
points and apply pressure, whereas spin
serves are used to start points and avoid
double-faulting.
All points are not equal,
and thorough practices
that develop handling
these specific point
situations will keep
your opponent under
pressure and enable
you to play these
points with winning
confidence. *

Slice Serve
The slice serve takes your opponent off
the court for a comfortable cross court
put-away. It can also be an effective body
serve or jammer. Supplying the slice

Venus Williams,
7x singles Grand
Slam champion
Photo courtesy of Neale Cousland

February 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 53

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The Fulfillment of
Mentorship
Kendell Hale, USPTA Elite Professional
W hich is more significant —
happiness or fulfillment? I
genuinely believe that fulfillment is the
more mature emotion.
When young, we long to be happy.
It is a goal from the womb to the day
we set our career and family path
goals. But happiness is based upon our
circumstances — and will not last. I
believe we can buy into a higher plan than
merely seeking satisfaction.
Happiness is more of a selfish
emotion, while fulfillment comes when
you help others get to where they want
to go. So I challenge you to think about
seeking a fulfilled life. What does that
mean? Zig Ziglar says, “If you want to
achieve your goals, help others achieve
theirs!” As a coach, I feel this is one of
my primary roles, and I try to do this
through mentorship.
I once had a person in my life tell me,
“You always need to be pouring your life
into someone else as someone else pours
into you.” Wow, what a concept! So, ask
Member Feature USPTA
yourself, do you have someone that you
are mentoring? Are you a mentee? This
can be done on many different levels and
could be oriented around your career,
personal life, spiritual life, married life,
etc. You could even have multiple mentors
in your life, which is never a bad thing.
If you answered “no” to either of the
above questions — what is your next step?
Think about those people you call when
seeking advice. They are your mentors!
Do not wait for when things get out
of control — then it’s too late. I would
suggest you become more intentional
with those individuals and set up a
regular meeting time, whether weekly or
monthly. Get something on the calendar
and follow-through.
The USPTA has a fantastic mentorship
program, where the mentor and mentee
meet four times per year to first set goals,
then track their progress and then finally
determine what was successful and
what, if anything, needs adjusting before
moving forward.
February 2021
Character traits of effective
mentors and mentees
Humility: Check your pride at the
door! You must humble yourself and
realize that you do not have all the
answers. My mother gave me the best
advice when I was young: “You can learn
something from anyone.” There is always
an alternate angle to look at something
that provides a fresh perspective.
Patience: As a mentor or mentee,
you must be patient with the process.
You are going to make mistakes. Results
won’t always come right away, so be sure
to take your time. Just like investments
in the stock market, you will not see a
sustainable profit until later down the
road. You are investing in each other, so
keep the faith.
Good listener: Try to listen more than
you speak. In any relationship, there will
be communication issues. Sacrificing
your need to be heard improves your
effectiveness. Listening allows both
parties to be valued. Traditionally, people
ADDvantage Magazine - 55
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don’t care how much you know until they
know how much you care.
Honest: To help a person grow, you
must care enough about them, to be
honest with them. This often means
telling them things they need to hear but
may not want to hear. Of course, always
be respectful. A good coach gets you to
do what you don’t want to do — in order
to get you where you need to go.
Generous: Be willing to share your
time, your vulnerability, and your secrets
to success!
Benefits for the mentor
Mentoring is energizing: It is a
fantastic feeling to see your mentee
reach their goals. When you know
what you are doing is helping others, it
motivates you and offers a more
defined purpose.
Improves listening skills: Many
times, the primary role of a mentor is
to listen. This is a skill in which most
everyone could use some improvement.
Enhances leadership skills: If you
mentor long enough, you will have a
situation that challenges you out of your
comfort zone. Therefore, you’ll be forced
to develop new leadership skills as you
navigate each unique situation.
Become a better nudger: Often,
your mentee will know the right thing
to do but does not want to risk the
impending decision’s security. That is
why you’re there — to guide and nudge
them into action.
Help your tennis community: When
helping others become better in their
field, you, in turn, are improving the
industry. You are creating a legacy for
future generations to come.
Benefits for a mentee
Learn how to receive feedback:
Often, a younger group needs help
receiving feedback without becoming
defensive. However, the mentor only
has your best interests in mind when
doling out feedback. A good friend tells
you what you need to hear, not what you
want to hear.
A different perspective: Mentors will
generally have a different perspective
on your situation. This is important
because we can become fixated on our
way of doing things.
Helps with our blind spots: We all
have them in our lives — those areas
we are unaware of — or choose to
ignore. We must have these missed
opportunities pointed out and dealt
with for us to change.
Improved skillsets: Most of my
mentors have had diverse skills,
which enabled them to see my issues
from different perspectives. Varying
philosophy levels allow for a fresh set
of eyes to spot things differently — and
allow for more useful feedback.
Increased confidence: When I receive
validation from my mentor on ideas that
I am carrying through, I can relax. Why?
Because even with a successful outcome
or failure, you still have a mentor that
will be in your corner to celebrate — or
help you breakdown the issues that
result in a more successful outcome the
next time around.
Every mentor you have in life will
leave a piece of themselves with you. You
become a product of their advice and
counsel. I see a bit of every coach and
mentor I have ever had in the way that
I now coach and mentor. You will learn
from both good and bad advice. It’s up to
you what to do with it.
For those that have had mentors in the
past, call those people and thank them
for investing in you. As for me — in the
tennis industry, multiple people had a
profound effect: Thank you, Wan Ables,
Helen Wilson, Jeff Henderson, Mark
Rosewell, Kim Bastable, Gary Trost, and
Bunny Bruning! *

Dennis Ralston In Memoriam Alex Olmedo

1942-2020 1936-2020

The USPTA mourns the From humble beginnings,

loss of tennis legend
Dennis Ralston. A lifetime
member of the USPTA,
Dennis touched the lives of
everyone he came in contact
with. From winning the
1960 Wimbledon doubles
title at the age of 17 to five
consecutive Davis Cup titles,
Dennis coached Chris Evert,
Yannick Noach, and Gabriela
Sabatini. Dennis Ralston was
78. He will be missed.
Alejandro “Alex” Olmedo
became a champion at
Wimbledon and the
Australian Nationals in 1959.
Olmedo was a longtime
USPTA member and Tennis
Director at the Beverly Hills
Hotel, where he taught tennis
for more than 25 years. He
counted Hollywood elites
such as Katharine Hepburn,
Robert Duvall, and Chevy
Chase as students.

February 2021 ADDvantage Magazine - 57

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Pickleball Perspective
Mike Calendrillo, USPTA Communications
“Net Work” is a new column focusing on
the business side of racquet sports. Through
analytics and statistics, NetWork provides
real insight into the careers of tennis-teaching
professionals.
Pickleball popularity continues to
sweep the nation. From neighbors setting
up impromptu courts in their streets
during COVID restrictions to cities
retrofitting old basketball and tennis
courts into pickleball courts, demand for
the sport is at an all-time high.
Statista cites cities such as Chesapeake,
Columbus, Madison, Seattle, St. Paul, St.
Petersburg, Virginia Beach as already
having at least two pickleball courts per
10,000 residents.
Not bad for a game that began in
1965 on a former badminton court in
Bainbridge Island, Wash. According
to Statista, from 2014 through 2019,
pickleball has grown from 2.46 million
participants to 3.46 million in the U.S.,
with 40 percent of all participants being
female.
In a detailed report released by the
Sports and Fitness Industry Association, 2
million participants are deemed “Casual,”
meaning they play one-to-seven times
per year. On the flip side, 1.4 million
falls into the “Core” category, signaling
those that play eight or more times in a
calendar year.
Breaking down these age groups even
further, per the SFIA:
• The average age of all pickleball
players is 41.
• Core players have an average
age of 54, while casual players
have an average age of 33.
• Sixty-four percent of Core
players are between 55 years old
or more.
• Eighty-four percent of Casual
players are between 54 years or
younger.
Because of its controllable nature,
elementary, middle, and high schools have
begun to add pickleball into their physical
education class curriculums. Ages 6-17 now
make up 17.6 percent of all participants.
From 2015-2018, the percentage of
Core players between the age of 54 and
younger grew from 25 percent to 36
percent. The rate of Casual players aged
54 and younger increased from 78 percent
to 84 percent. Therefore, the increase
February 2021
NetWork USPTA
in the percentage of total players less
than 55 years of age shows faster growth
among younger players.
Perhaps in part to pickleball courts
sprouting up around the country or simply
taping off the lines in your driveway
— not to mention it being a relatively
inexpensive sport to pick up, young people
are continuing to show interest in this
tennis, racquetball, ping-pong hybrid.
When you can buy a net, two paddles, and
two balls for under $60 from most online
retailers in the midst of a pandemic, it’s
understandable why players’ median age
continues to decrease.
It is imperative that tennis-teaching
professionals are aware of the pickleball
craze. In essence, supply and demand are
trending in the sports’ direction, so any
reluctance to begin teaching the game
needs to fade away. Pros should be well
aware that they have an obligation to
accommodate the wants of the consumer.
Six straight years’ worth of statistics proves
that pickleball is here to stay. So, it’s time
to deliver.
For those that wish to expand their
coaching repertoire and enhance their
education, the USPTA has partnered with
the International Pickleball Teaching
Professional Association (IPTPA). The level
I pickleball certification course includes
classroom sessions, on-court teaching
sessions, and an on-court playing session —
and can be secured one of two ways.
Hosted at USPTA division conferences
or standalone events by the IPTPA, the five-
hour workshop’s cost is $240. It includes
the pickleball certification testing, access
to the specialty course, and a one-year
membership with the IPTPA. For classes
and to sign up, visit the IPTPA website to
see available workshops or contact the
USPTA to schedule a standalone seminar
outside a division conference. *
ADDvantage Magazine - 59
USPTA Career Development

Career Development
USPTA Certification Testing Dates What’s the Dill?
Feb. 1.............................................................Barnes Tennis Center
February Membership Dept. Update
San Diego, CA Dillon Chustz, USPTA Director of Membership
Feb. 1-2.......................................................USTA National Campus
Orlando, FL Leading the Membership Department through 2020 and
Feb. 1-2....................................................... Bay Club San Francisco into 2021 has been a whirlwind. Our team took on an entirely
San Francisco, CA new and challenging workflow. We were handling the usual
Feb. 4.................................... RacquetFit Certification Webinar
Virtual member inquiries and helping our 14,000 members through
Feb. 6....................................................... Westwood Country Club the dues subsidy qualification process, facilitating our virtual
Vienna, VA World Conference, and getting applicants across the old
Feb. 6-7.........................................................................Forest Crest certification pathway and into the new one. Our job here at the
Mountlake Terrace, WA
World Headquarters has evolved into one that now requires a
Feb. 10...................................... Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
Minneapolis, MN tremendous amount of adaptability as the pandemic continues to
Feb. 12-13.......................................................Tucson Country Club throw new challenges our way.
Tucson, AZ One incredible byproduct of the last year was the opportunity
Feb. 13-14.......................................................................... Biltmore
that my team had to connect with our members like never before.
Coral Gables, FL
Feb. 14..................................................... Haig Point Tennis Center We listened as you told us about your challenges, your triumphs,
Hilton Head Island, SC and the different ways that you found to contribute to our
Feb. 19.................................................Chestnut Ridge Tennis Club industry amidst so much uncertainty. I am sure we can all agree
Mt. Kisco, NY
that tennis has come out of this pandemic as the industry’s dark
Feb. 19-20.................................................... Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe Bay, TX horse, a perfect social distancing sport, and you all have taken
Feb. 19-20.......................................................................Burns Park great advantage of it! Every second that the pandemic allowed for
North Little Rock, AR tennis instruction, you, our USPTA members, were out on court
Feb. 20.................................................. New Canaan Racquet Club laying the foundation. Your resilience and passion for our sport
New Canaan, CT
Feb. 20-21........................................................ Oaks at Boca Raton have inspired my team and me more than I can say.
Boca Raton, FL Our job is most rewarding when we can make your career as
Feb. 20-21...................................................... Atlanta Athletic Club a tennis professional as efficient as possible and guarantee that
Johns Creek, GA you get everything you can out of your USPTA membership.
Feb. 21............................................... John and Fay Menard YMCA
Eau Claire, WI What has made this pandemic exponentially easier to navigate is
Feb. 22-23...................................................USTA National Campus the patience that you have expressed. So much has happened in
Orlando, FL a concise amount of time — and my team has worked tirelessly
Feb. 26...................................................... Greenville Country Club to process everything promptly. We’ve received a tremendous
Wilmington, DE
amount of encouragement from our members, and it has
Feb. 26-27..............................................Wyndemere Country Club
Naples, FL validated my belief in the USPTA as a FAMILY. Yes. 2020 tried to
Feb. 27-28...................................................La Habra Tennis Center knock us down, but we pulled through with an even greater sense
La Habra, CA of purpose as tennis educators.
Feb. 27-28......................... Bonita National Golf and Country Club
I cannot wait to see what 2021 brings for our association. As
Naples, FL
Feb. 27-28.................................. Forest Meadows Tennis Complex always, feel free to reach out to the Membership Department with
Tallahassee, FL any questions, comments, or concerns. We’re here for you! *

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
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60 - ADDvantage Magazine February 2021

 R E D R I V E
BA BOLAT PU
YO U R P OW ER
UNLEASH EN | ATP), Lucas Pouille (FRA | ATP), Garbiñe M
uguruza (ESP | WTA), Aska (teac
hing pro)

), Holger Rune (D
Miha (club player
ICONIC POWER GETS EXPLOSIVE
Want to hit more winners?! The new Babolat Pure Drive features a High Torsional Rigidity system,
a tech that increases energy return to give you point-ending explosive power on every shot.

TEAM BABOLAT PRO PLAYERS MAY PLAY WITH A CUSTOMIZED OR DIFFERENT MODEL THAN THE EQUIPMENT DEPICTED