COURT CONSTRUCTION CUSTOMER SERVICE INDUSTRY EVENT

Ninth ‘Tennis Provide something Racquet & Paddle

Courts’ manual new with racquet Sports Conference
offers key updates customization to debut in January

November-December 2018 / Volume 46 / Number 10 / $5.00

ALSO
INSIDE:
Fashion, Form and Function
Get ready for the spring season with the latest in
apparel designs and technology

Stringing
The new Tourna Cube
combines sleek design
with peak performance t
30

Facilities
How tennis can take
advantage of pickleball's
'economic density'
18

Plus:
Footwear
Tennis shoes for spring
mix eye-opening colors
with solid features
24

5
.3
TA pg
USP
ating
or
corp
In
TEAM BABOLAT PRO PLAYERS MAY PLAY WITH A CUSTOMIZED OR DIFFERENT MODEL THAN THE EQUIPMENT DEPICTED.
 www.tennisindustrymag.com
TennisIndustry

Contents Nov/Dec 2018

DEPARTMENTS FEATURES
4 Our Serve 22 A Fashionable Turn
7 Industry News
Eye-opening colors help highlight this spring’s
14 Letters
16 Racquet Tech
new apparel and footwear for the court.
18 Racquet/Paddle Sports
20 TIA News
30 String Machine Review:
Tourna Cube
32 Ask the Experts
34 Your Serve, by Walid Fattah

INDUSTRY NEWS
7 Major racquet & paddle
show set for January
7 USTA’s Smith announces
partnership with USPTA
7 Larry Ellison partners with 26 Beyond Strings 28 By the Book
Universal Tennis
Take your customer service to the next level The ninth edition
8 PTR’s Santorum receives
National Public Parks honor by adding racquet customization features. of the Tennis Courts
8 Har-Tru Consulting offers manual contains
court analysis survey important updates
8 2018 US Open sets
attendance record for builders and
8 USTA Pacific Northwest court owners.
opens two tennis facilities
9 Short Sets 2. In no instance should any imperfection exist that could cause the ball to deviate
significantly from its path on a level surface, or expose a player to a significantly
increased risk of injury within the perimeter of the court.

10 USTA recognizes outstanding

3. Deviations on clay or grass over 6 mm should be corrected where possible.
4. Unless design, specification or construction necessitate otherwise.

Table 4. Evenness, slope and planarity recommendations for a tennis court.

Recommended
Illumination
for Tennis Facilitie

facility award winners

Slope and Planarity (ITF CS 03/03) Recommended Horizon s
Performance tal Illumination
Average Criteria
Ideally, a tennis court should be Maintain
a flat surface lying in a single horizontal
ed Horizon Class I plane. The court
Foot-can tal Class II
may be sloped for drainage, but thedles within
single plane of the surface should always 125+ be maintained. Class III
Minimum Maintain PPA (1,2,4) 75
Foot-can ed Horizontal (1250 lux) 50
The slope should be oriented todles (750 be
Maximumminimise
within PPA
its effect
(2,4) on play. Thus, where 100 a court mustlux) (500 lux)
UniformityisRatio 60

10 People Watch
sloped for drainage, a slope from side-to-side preferred (see Figure
(3) (1000
6). If necessary, the
lux) 40
slope can be from end-to-end. (600 lux)
1.5 (400 lux)
1.7
Recommended 2.0
The slope is determined by measuring Performancethe ratio of change in elevation
Vertica to horizontal
Average
distance. Planarity is measured relative Criteria plane parallel ltoIllumin
to a hypothetical ationof the court.
the slope
Maintain ed Class I
Foot-candles Vertical Class II
within PPA 50 Class III
Maximum Uniform (1,2,4)
30

12 USTA names board slate for

ity Ratio (3) (500 lux) 20
(300 lux)
2.0 (200 lux)
Notes: 3.0
1. Maintain 3.0
ed foot-can
measured foot-can dles is determined by
dles. LLF applying a light
atmospheric
conditions. It is dependent on fixture loss
ss factor (LLF)

2019-2020 term
type, fixture to the
proper LLF
values.
can vary between
.60 and .90. mainten ce e initial or
2. Average
maintain Consult fixture ance and
Primary Playing ed and minimum maintain manufac
facturer
turer
er for
for
3. Uniform Area (PPA) ed foot-candles
ity ratio is defined with the foot-candle should
minimum foot-can as the ratio of values multipli be calculate latedd within
the
dles. the maximum ed by the appropri
4. Primary foot-can
candles priate
iate
ate LLF.
Playing dles divided
10’ behind the Area (PPA) is defined by the

12 Top-selling racquets, shoes,

baseline. as the area ea that includes
6’ beyond the
sidelines and
Figure 6. Preferred orientationClass I (1) Typical Facilityif necessary.
of slope (side-to-side), Classifications
Professional Class II
International Satellite (3)

strings for Q2
Apparatus Class III
Satellite Challenger (3) College (4)
Test apparatus consists Challeng
of: er College (2) High School
College Tennis Clubs Tennis Clubs
Parks/R Parks/Recreatio
• A distance-measuring device, calibrated to ± ecreatio nal as a laser distance
0.05%, such meternal
or a steel tape. Residential Residential
Notes:
• A surveyor’s level, calibrated to ± 1 mm/10 m, and a measuring staff, calibrated to

13
1. Class

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

I facilities generall
± 0.25 mm.willThe level may be either a self-levelling rotary laser, which sweeps out
y involve
include permane broadcast quality
a horizontal plane with
2. Facilitie a beam nt spectato
of visible or infrared
r accomm
light,televisio
an optical level, where
s n production.
the plane is definedwhich
These by the host
horizontal axis of theodations
intercollegiate instrument,
. or a pressurised These facilities
facilities play, but without
hydrostatic altimeter. may have permane
3. Professi broadca ast
onal tennis events nt or tempora st television
4. Collegia without broadca ry seating. requirements.

to host pickleball chps.

te facilities primaril st television
y used for practice requirements.
Please note that or for intramur
al or recreatio
specific facility some facilityAppendices
types appear nal play.
245
requirements should be chosen based in multiple categories. Illumina
that will take on the highest tion levels for
information place at the skill level, or a
about each class. facility. See
Facilities with It is recogniz the descriptions spectator and television
older average ed that
at older players for more detailed

13
player ages should

PTR, Head Penn extend

be designed require higher
for higher levels light levels.
of light.
Chapter 14:
Lighting

135

history-making partnership DRAWINGS

ARE ILLUS

Chapter
TRATIVE

3:
ONLY AND

The Tenn
is Cour
ASBA AND
USTA ACCEP
T NO RESPO
NSIBILITY
t FOR THEIR
USE.

14 Head to sponsor PPR 33

PLUS
p.35 36 From the CEO
40 First Vice President’s
Message
42 Master Pro Corner
36 42 45 51 45 Inside Coaching
It’s a New Sport Coming to 2018 Tennis 47 Beyond the Court
Day for the Psychology for Grips with the Teachers 50 Buddy Up Tennis
USPTA Kids—When Magic of the Conference 57 Love Serving Autism
Should It Begin? Grip Jump Photos, Winners 58 Tennis Thanks the Troops
59 Member News
Visit ADDvantageUSPTA.com for more articles and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 60 USPTA Career Development

2 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 O F F IC IA L
S U R FAC E
O F T H E U S P TA

id e in st al le rs .
ts , w it h ex pe ri en ce d na ti on w
& re pa ir pr od uc
m en t- qu al it y sp or t su rf ac in g
To ur na

sportmaster.net

OurServe
EDITOR'S NOTE
A New Rallying Point
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports
Conference is an important industry
gathering filled with long-term potential.
T
he US Open is always a
busy time for the tennis
industry. This year
in New York City, the
USTA Tennis Teachers
Conference/USPTA
World Conference took place the week-
end before the Open; the 11th annual
TIA Tennis Forum, along other industry
meetings, convened as the tournament
started; and the USTA Semi-Annual
Meeting (SAM) took place during the
heart of the event. And, oh yeah, there
was some tennis going on, too.
It is important for stakeholders in
our industry to find time to get together.
Which is why January’s major new gath-
ering—the inaugural Racquet & Paddle
Sports Conference, from Jan. 23-25 in
Orlando, Fla.—deserves your attention.
The new Racquet & Paddle
Sports Conference can
help all parties collaborate
to grow the game.
This conference, while a stand-alone
event, will be co-located with the massive
PGA Merchandise Show, with sessions at
the Orange County Convention Center
and the USTA National Campus in Lake
Nona. The conference also will incor-
porate the TIA’s annual Tennis Owners
& Managers Conference. It is expected
to bring together racquet sports profes-
sionals and providers, industry leaders,
manufacturers and retailers.
The three-day event is organized by
the TIA and Reed Exhibitions, which has
4 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
TennisIndustry
PUBLISHER
JEFF WILLIAMS
EDITOR
PETER FRANCESCONI
MANAGING EDITOR
SCOTT GRAMLING
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
IAN KNOWLES
SENIOR EDITOR
ED McGROGAN
ART DIRECTOR
CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
PRODUCTION EDITOR
SAM CHASE
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
BOB PATTERSON
helped to grow the PGA Show into the CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
ultimate resource for the golf industry— CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
DAVID LASOTA, KENT OSWALD, NATE PAGEL,
and is looking to bring its substantial CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
experience to the tennis industry. It
makes sense: Many golf facilities also CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS
support tennis and other racquet/paddle
sports, and many manufacturers produce ASSOCIATE EDITOR
gear with both sports in mind. Over three TIM McARTHUR
days, the PGA Show draws 40,000 at- EDITORIAL DIRECTION
tendees and 1,000 international media. 10TEN MEDIA
The first day of the conference will
TENNIS INDUSTRY
include a “One2One” buying summit 250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
that matches key buyers with new and 646-381-8735
existing industry vendors. There will also info@tennisindustrymag.com
be an Innovation & Technology Demo
Day and Welcome Party, held at the ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
USTA National Campus. The confer-
JOHN HANNA
770-650-1102, x125
ence format will include five educational hanna@knowatlanta.com
tracks: Innovation & Technology; Facility
Operations; Human Resources & Profes- APPAREL ADVERTISING
sional Services; Event Management & CYNTHIA SHERMAN
Hospitality; and Membership, Marketing 203-558-5911
cstennisindustry@gmail.com
& Promotions. The event also will have
the fourth edition of the Tennis Industry
Innovation Challenge.
Many readers may remember the
SuperShow, which was particularly
Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year:
monthly, January through August with combined
important as a rallying point for the issues in September/October and November/
December, by Tennis Media Company, 250 Park
tennis industry. The new Racquet & Avenue, Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical
Paddle Sports Conference may be exactly postage paid in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing
offices (USPS #004-354). Nov./Dec. 2018, Volume
what this industry can use to get back on 46, Number 10 © 2018 by Tennis Media Company.
track, with all parties collaborating to All rights reserved. Tennis Industry, TI and logo are
trademarks of Tennis Media Company. Printed in
help grow the game. the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125.
Check out the conference’s website Phone circulation and editorial: 646-381-8735.
Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40+ elsewhere.
at RacquetPaddleSportsShow.com and POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tennis
make your plans to attend.  Industry, 250 Park Avenue, Suite 825, New York NY
10017. Tennis Industry is the official magazine of the
USRSA, TIA and ASBA.
Peter Francesconi Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
Editor Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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 IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Major Racquet & Paddle Sports
Conference Set for January
T
he inaugural Racquet &
Paddle Sports Conference
will be held on Jan. 23-25,
and co-located with the
PGA Merchandise Show at
the Orange County Convention Center
in Orlando, Fla. The event will incorpo-
rate the TIA’s annual Tennis Owners &
Managers (TOM) Conference.
The multifaceted tennis, racquet and
paddle sports industry event is being
organized by the Tennis Industry
Association and Reed Exhibitions,
which has helped to grow the PGA Show.
The Racquet & Paddle Sports Confer-
ence will bring together racquet sports
professionals, industry leaders, tennis
providers, retailers and manufacturers.
While co-located with the PGA Show, it
will be a stand-alone event.
The conference will feature a hands-
on product demo experience and open-
ing welcome party at the USTA National
Campus in Lake Nona. The conference
also will include a curated “One2One”
buying summit and an exhibit pavilion
of racquet, paddle and tennis vendors
C O U RT E S Y T I A
and organizations.
“This conference will be targeted to all
facets of the tennis industry, including
the racquet and paddle sports business-
www.tennisindustrymag.com
The sixth annual Tennis Owners
& Managers Conference will
be a part of the new Racquet &
Paddle Sports event, coming
to Orlando in January.
es,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn
de Boer. “We look forward to working
with Reed Exhibitions and tapping into
their proven expertise in developing
powerful face-to-face business activa-
tions. Together, we have a tremendous
opportunity to showcase the tennis
industry and grow the business of tennis
and racquet sports.”
Visit RacquetPaddleSportsShow.com.
November/December 2018
USTA’s Smith Announces
Partnership With USPTA
During a general session at the USTA
Semi-Annual Meeting in New York in
September, USTA CEO Gordon Smith an-
nounced that the USTA will be “moving
forward with [the USPTA] as a partner.”
Smith said the USPTA was the only
professional teaching organization that
had so far received “provisional accredi-
tation” under the USTA’s new program.
“Over the next year, we will be working
together to implement a new certifica-
tion program to increase the standards
and create a new generation of teaching
pros,” he said.
The USPTA “will be helping us deliver
what we need to deliver,” Smith told the
crowd of approximately 800 volunteers
and industry tennis providers. “This will
be a two-way partnership.”
Larry Ellison Partners
with Universal Tennis
Larry Ellison, the executive chairman
and chief technology officer of Oracle, has
become an investor and partner with
Universal Tennis.
“Universal Tennis can change the game
of tennis for the better using software and
innovative technology to make the sport
more accessible and enjoyable for players,
coaches, organizers and fans,” says Ellison,
owner of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden,
host site of the BNP Paribas Open.
“We can bring needed innovation to
democratize tennis, drive American and
international participation in the sport, cre-
ate compelling new tennis events, and bring
additional events and playing opportunities
to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.”
Ellison is a strong supporter of Oracle’s
initiatives across the sport. Universal Tennis
is the company behind the UTR global tennis
rating system.
In related news, Head USA has also part-
nered with UTR to work on a variety of mar-
keting initiatives. This fall, UTR will launch
a comprehensive “Community Platform”
available for all players, coaches, organizers,
sponsors, events and non-profits in tennis.
TennisIndustry 7
IndustryNews

COMMUNITY TENNIS
Har-Tru Consulting Offers
Santorum Court Analysis Survey
Har-Tru Consulting will offer a range
Receives of services to teaching pros, general
managers, board members and court

National Public owners—including a “Court Analysis

Survey,” or CAS—to help improve tennis

Parks Honor facilities. The company has consulted

with more than 250 tennis facilities and

P
 
has surveyed over 1,800 courts.
The CAS includes documenting
TR CEO Dan Santorum historical site data, geotechnical
received the National Public information, computer-generated 3-D
Parks Tennis Association topographical surface maps, surface
(NPPTA) Jean and Hollis thickness and base stone measurements,
Smith Lifetime Achievement Award, analysis of irrigation systems, drainage,
which was presented in New York in curbing, lighting, nets, net posts, fencing
September. The annual award recognizes and court player amenities.
an individual who has been an outstand- “Our goal is to create a roadmap that
ing advocate, and who has promoted the will allow a court owner or facility to
NPPTA across the country. offer the best tennis court experience,”
“Dan has been a huge proponent of says Ed Montecalvo, who has been with
educating and certifying tennis coaches Har-Tru for over 20 years. “The report we
in the public parks,” said NPPTA Presi- create includes recommendations for
dent Scott Hanover (at left in photo with short and long-term capital budgeting
Santorum). for the entire court infrastructure.”
For more on Har-Tru Consulting, call
877-4-HARTRU or visit hartru.com.

2018 US Open Sets

THE EXPERTS IN Attendance Record

STRINGING MACHINES

When the machines quit running, so do the clinics and matches that
count on them. To get them fixed fast and forever — or if it’s time to
get a new one — talk to these guys. Trusted around the country, Over the three weeks of the 2018 US
JC and Dan bring nearly 30 combined years of experience to keep Open, including Fan Week and the two
you up and running, regardless of make and model. weeks of the main draw, more than 800,000
We also accept many trade-ins and sell most top brands. people were on the grounds of the USTA
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The
FEATURED ITEMS main draw attracted a record of 732,663
fans. When combined with the Fan Week
total of 96,135, a total of 828,798 fans expe-
rienced the events and tournament.
NEOS 1000
USTA PNW Opens 2 Facilities
PRINCE 7000 $1,399 The USTA Pacific Northwest Section
EXCLUSIVE
$3,999 USA DISTRIBUTOR recently opened the Galbraith Tennis
C O U RT E S Y P T R , U S TA

FOR ALL Center in Tacoma and reopened the

PRINCE
MACHINES Vancouver Tennis Center in Vancouver.
“We believe these facilities will be the
first of many that we will revitalize or
1.800.572.1055 WWW.TENNISMACHINES.COM ST. LOUIS, MO build, and operate,” says Matthew
Warren, USTA PNW executive director.

8 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 IndustryNews

Short
Sets
The USTA, the 17 USTA Sections and the
USTA Foundation have pledged to donate
$350,000 to restore tennis facilities and
restart tennis programming throughout
Puerto Rico.
Dunlop will be the official ball partner of
the Australian Open in January 2019. In
the multi-year partnership, Dunlop will
provide the official ball for the Australian
Open tournament and has the rights to
sell Australian Open-branded tennis balls
globally. Tennis legend Rod Laver will
also return to the brand as an interna-
tional ambassador. Laver used Dunlop
racquets throughout his career.
The USPTA has renewed its partnership
with both 10-S Tennis Supply and Aer-Flo
through December 2020. 10-S Tennis
Supply’s Six Star II Tennis Net remains the
USPTA’s official tennis net, while Aer-Flo’s
Tuffy Windscreen continues as the official
windscreen.
Har-Tru Sports is the exclusive U.S. and
Canadian distributor for the Pickup Wall.
Created in 2013, the Pickup Wall shuttles
balls from the back of the court into a
ball machine, allowing players to hit
continuously without stopping to pick up
stray balls. A redesign in 2018 resulted
in a quieter lifting mechanism, making
the product more indoor friendly. Visit
hartru.com or pickupwall.com for more.
ESPN’s telecast of the US Open
women’s final, in which Naomi Osaka
defeated Serena Williams, posted a 2.5
rating for the match itself and a 2.4 for
the full three-hour telecast. It tied for the
second-highest rating in ESPN’s entire
US Open history. The 2.4 overnight rating
was up 32 percent from last year (1.9),
when the women’s final featured two
American players, Sloane Stephens and
Madison Keys.
Pickleball paddle and accessories brand
Selkirk Sport has plans to expand distri-
bution to new global markets in India,
Canada and Australia.
In 2019, the lakeside city of Geneva,
Switzerland, will host the third annual
Laver Cup. The Europe vs. World event
will be held Sept. 20-22.

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50 Years
of US Open
• The commemorative book
US Open: 50 Years of Championship
Tennis celebrates the 50th anniver-
sary of the US Open and is in book-
stores and available on Amazon. The
272-page book provides a compre-
hensive look at the tournament and
its players and personalities. Author
Richard S. Rennert is the USTA’s
director of publishing.

www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 9

IndustryNews
TENNIS FACILITIES
USTA Names
Outstanding
Facility Award
Winners
T
he Case Tennis Center at
LaFortune Park in Tulsa,
Okla., is the “Featured Facil-
ity” in the 2018 USTA Out-
standing Facility Awards. The facility
was honored at an awards ceremony in
New York City during the US Open.
Each year, the USTA recognizes
facilities throughout the country to
encourage increasingly high standards
for construction and/or renovation.
Nominations are evaluated on the facil-
ity and amenities, and also on tennis
programming.
The honored facilities for 2018 are:
• Small Facilities: Fort Boise Tennis
Courts, Boise, Idaho; Kings County
Tennis League–Sumner Tennis Club,
Brooklyn, N.Y.; Club de Tenis de Isla
Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico
People
Watch
Matt Simons is Dunlop’s new district
sales manager for Washington state,
Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. He
has held senior sales positions in multiple
industries and currently is the men’s and
women’s assistant tennis coach at the
University of Puget Sound.
The Southern Tennis Foundation and
USTA Southern will induct three members
into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame: Julie
Ditty of Louisville, Ky., a former pro player
and college standout; Mary Hatfield of
McDonough, Ga., a longtime national,
sectional, state and local volunteer; and
Gordon A. Smith of Atlanta and New York,
10 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
Tulsa's Case Tennis Center at
LaFortune Park was the 2018
"Featured Facility" winner.
• Large Facilities: Case Tennis Center
at LaFortune Park, Tulsa, Okla. (2018
Featured Facility); Oak Lawn Racquet,
Fitness, & Gymnastics Center, Oak
Lawn, Ill.; A.C. Nielsen Tennis Cen-
ter, Winnetka, Ill.; John Mott Tennis
Center, Utica, N.Y.; Mercer County
Park Commission Tennis Facility, West
Windsor, N.J.; Palmetto Tennis Center,
Sumter, S.C.; Jekyll Island Tennis Cen-
ter, Jekyll Island, Ga.; Southeast Tennis
and Learning Center, Washington, D.C.;
John R. McFarlin Tennis Center, San
Antonio, Texas
the current USTA executive director and
CEO and former USTA Southern president.
US Open doubles semifinalist Ashleigh
Barty was awarded the women’s 2018 US
Open Sportsmanship Award. John Isner
won the men's award.
US Open champion Naomi Osaka is
racking up endorsements. A week after
her win over Serena Williams, the 20-year-
old Japanese star signed a $10 million
annual deal with Adidas, the largest deal
the company has ever offered to a female
tennis player. She also was named as a
brand ambassador for Nissan.
• Private Facilities: Woodfield CC,
Boca Raton, Fla.; James Creek TC,
Cumming, Ga.; White Bear Lake–Life
Time, White Bear Lake, Minn.; Long
Reach TC–Columbia Association,
Columbia, Md.; Eagle TC, Eagle, Idaho;
Five Star Tennis Center, Plainfield,
Ill.; Twos Athletic Club, Toledo, Ohio;
Greene Ridge Racquet & Fitness Club,
Snow Hill, N.C.; Southern Oaks Golf &
Tennis Club, Burleson, Texas; Chelsea
Piers, Stamford, Conn.; Paula G. Man-
ship YMCA–Lamar TC, Baton Rouge,
La.; Aspen Racquet Club, Wooster, Ohio
Ashaway has recently signed string
sponsorship agreements with three rising
Professional Squash Association stars:
Amanda Sobhy of the U.S., Leo Au of Hong
Kong and Yathreb Adel of Egypt.
Frederick "Rick" Barton, alumnus of
C O U RT E S Y U S TA M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y
Harvard and Boston University, received
the 2018 ITA David A. Benjamin Achieve-
ment Award during the US Open.
Peggy Edwards, PTR’s director of
communications and editor of TennisPro
Magazine, received a 2018 APEX Award
for publishing excellence of the publica-
tion’s November/December 2017 edition.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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IndustryNews

USTA Names Board Slate
for 2019-2020 Term
Patrick Galbraith
The USTA Nominating Committee has
put forth the slate for the 2019-2020
term for the USTA Board of Directors.
Patrick Galbraith of the USTA Pacific
Northwest Section, the current USTA
First Vice President, has been nomi-
nated to be the next USTA President.
He would replace Katrina Adams, who
becomes Immediate Past President.
Others nominated for USTA officer
positions for the two-year term begin-
ning in January are:
• Mike McNulty (USTA Southern) as First
Vice President
• Brian Hainline (USTA Midwest) as Vice
President
• Laura Canfield (USTA Middle States) as
Vice President
• Thomas Ho (USTA Texas) as Secretary-
Treasurer
Nominated for USTA Director-at-Large
positions are:
Jeff Biall (Northern), Violet Clark
(Midwest), Chuck Gill (Florida), Eleni
Rossides (Mid-Atlantic), Brian Vahaly
(Mid-Atlantic), Kurt Zumwalt (Pacific
Northwest), Liezel Huber (Eastern–Elite
Athlete), Neha Uberoi (Eastern–Elite
Athlete), Sam Warburg (Northern Cali-
fornia–Elite Athlete)
Top-Selling Racquets
at Specialty Stores
January-June, 2018 vs. 2017
Units 2018 262,105
2017 265,697
% change vs. ’17 -1%
Dollars 2018 $42,288,000
2017 $41,205,000
% change vs. ’17 3%
Price 2018 $161.34
2017 $155.08
% change vs. ’17 4%
Top-Selling Racquets
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-June 2018
• Best Sellers
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP)
2. Babolat Pure Aero (100) 2016 (MP)
3. Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) CV (MP)
4. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black 2017 (MP)
5. Wilson Ultra 100 CV 2017 (MP)
• “Hot New Racquets”
(introduced in the past 12 months)
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP)
2. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black 2017 (MP)
3. Wilson Ultra 100 CV 2017 (MP)
4. Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2018 (MP)
5. Babolat Pure Drive Team 2018 (MP)

Top-Selling Tennis Shoes

at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-June 2018
1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
2. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2018
3. Nike Zoom Cage 3
4. Asics Gel Resolution 7
5. Nike Z Vapor 9.5 Tour 2017

Top-Selling Strings
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date units, Jan.-June 2018
1. Babolat RPM Blast
2. Wilson NXT
3. Wilson Sensation
4. Head Synthetic Gut PPS
5. Luxilon Alu Power
C O U RT E S Y U S TA , F R O M U T H FA M I LY

(Source: Tennis Industry Association)

Vulcan Offers Fade Collection Grips

Vulcan Tennis Grips has announced its new-
est line, the Fade Collection, in new colors
and designs. Grips are available in both the
Max Cool Overgrips and the Max Trend Over-
grips material. Colors include Silver Surge,
Oasis, Rose Burst and Black Splash. Visit
VulcanSportingGoods.com for more info.

12 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 IndustryNews

Industry Celebrates grip and youth equipment of PTR in the
Jim Fromuth Honor U.S. through December 2021.
As part of the agreement, PTR will
continue to promote Head Penn brands,
and Head will provide PTR members with
preferred pricing, as well as the opportu-
nity for equipment sponsorship through
the Team Head program.
Head to Sponsor Professional
Pickleball Registry
The Professional Pickleball Registry
(PPR) and Head Penn have agreed to a
three-year sponsorship in which Head will
be the official paddle and bag of the PPR.
PPR members also receive preferred
pricing on Head Extreme and Radical

On Aug. 26, the night before the

Tennis Industry Hall of Fame induc-
tion ceremony, industry and retail
executives gathered to toast 2018
inductee Jim Fromuth, the founder of
equipment distributor Fromuth Ten-
nis. Fromuth (second row from top,
middle) was honored during the TIA
Tennis Forum in New York, along with
fellow inductee, the late Vic Braden.

Indian Wells To Host

Pickleball Championships
The 2018 USA Pickleball National
Championships—expected to draw
approximately 2,500 players of all ages
and skill levels—will be held at the Indian
Wells Tennis Garden Nov. 3-11, in part-
nership with sports and entertainment
management company Desert Champi-
ons and the USA Pickleball Association.
Lifestyle brand Margaritaville is the title
sponsor of the USAPA-sanctioned event.
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden,
which hosts tennis’ BNP Paribas Open in
March, will feature 44 pickleball courts
as well as a Championship Court. Admis-
sion to the grounds and to the 44 field
courts is free. Tickets to the Champion-
ship Court are available at USAPickleball-
NationalChampionships.com.

PTR, Head Penn Extend

History-Making Partnership
The PTR recently signed a three-year
contract with Head Penn, extend-
ing its longstanding partnership to a
history-making 38 years. Head will be
the official racquet, bag, ball, string,

www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 13

IndustryNews
series paddles, Supercombi bags and
backpacks, and other pickleball equip-
ment, including nets and eyewear.
“It was Head USA’s president, Greg
Mason, who opened my eyes to the
power of pickleball—the fastest grow-
ing sport in the U.S.,” says PPR CEO
Dan Santorum. “Pickleball is a boost for
manufacturers, court builders, clubs and
facilities and coaches.”
PPR is the official education and cer-
tification partner of the USA Pickleball
Association. Visit pprpickleball.org.
USRSA Names New MRTs & CS
Master Racquet Technicians
Nolan Fitzgerald, Victoria, B.C.,
Canada
Javier Ronchietto, Corona, Calif.
Mark Kohlberger, Toronto
Andrew Cross, Toronto
Bjorn Andersson, Sweden
Johnson Chen, United Kingdom
Certified Stringer
Laurent Roberge Charbonneau,
Montreal
14 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
Letters
TENNIS’ LEAKY BUCKET
In the August Our Serve on “Tennis’ Leaky
Bucket,” you mentioned that we added
4.2 million new players but lost 4.6
million. I think tennis in general is losing
players because it’s expensive to play—
the cost of equipment and club member-
ships are not for everyone. Also, many
clinics and local leagues are not always
fun and lack a competent rating system
to ensure fair play and equal competition.
We need to find a way to make tennis fun
again, and make it more affordable so
people will want to play often.
Daniel Schank
Owner, String Rx LLC
Chesapeake, Va.
As a marketer, USPTA-certified tennis pro
and lover of the sport, I am passionate
about why, for decades, tennis has not
seemed to move the needle as much as
we all know it can to grow participation.
The TIA tells us about new tennis play-
ers, but they’re not providing any insight
as to where and why people are leaving
the sport. I still can’t believe we are not
talking more about things like how little
time tennis requires, what it can do for
your overall health, etc. Tennis is a sleep-
ing giant and we need to wake it up!
Steve Tebeau
Cincinnati
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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UP QUALITY
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FOR DEALER INQUIRIES AND PLAYER
PACKAGES, CONTACT US AT
1–800–2TENNIS

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TennisIndustry

RacquetTech
CUSTOMER SERVICE

Cross Reference
The new StringWeaver device makes
weaving cross strings a breeze.
By Nate Pagel
USRSA Associate Director

R
ecently, we were able
to test a new tool
designed to make
weaving cross strings
easier: StringWeaver, a
device you mount onto
the main strings once they have already
been completed. Depending on your
level of expertise, it’s a tool you may
want to start using moving forward.
StringWeaver is easy to attach, taking
only a couple of seconds. Once String-
Weaver is mounted, you don’t have to
take it off until you are finished string-
ing the frame. As you move down the
racquet, you just slide StringWeaver
along the mains to adjust where it sits.
When stringing, the StringWeaver
grabs the main strings and pushes half
of them down while pulling the other
half up, creating a nice separation of the
mains. This makes it easy to slide the
cross string straight through without
the worry of friction burn or misweav-
ing. To string the next cross string in
the opposite direction, flip a lever, and
the strings that were down are now up,
and vice versa. It takes virtually no time
at all to transition from one cross string StringWeaver is a perfect tool for someone
to the next. The final few crosses can who is just learning to string racquets, or who is
get a little tight, but StringWeaver was struggling at stringing quickly.
still able to help.
When finished, StringWeaver is eas-
ily removed and ready to be mounted weaving, but while receiving a little experienced stringers may not find it
on the next racquet. StringWeaver also extra help. StringWeaver also can quite as helpful, but it will absolutely
comes in different sizes to accommo- benefit stringers who are not used to help less experienced stringers get jobs
date both open and tight string pat- stringing with strings that are espe- done both quickly and accurately. •
terns, so you can use it on any racquet. cially stiff or shaped/textured, which
StringWeaver is perfect for someone can be difficult to work with if you do For more information, go to
just learning to string racquets, or who not string them consistently. StringWeavers.com. USRSA members
is struggling at stringing quickly. You StringWeaver is an excellent tool to can receive 10 percent off their first order
are still able to practice the skills of assist in stringing the crosses. Highly by using code “USRSA” at the website.

16 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 bollé
Island Breeze
www.bolletenniswear.com bolletennis
Bollé is a Registered Trademark of, and user under license from Bushnell, Inc.
TennisIndustry
Racquet Sports
Dual Match
Pickleball courts can increase revenues
for tennis facilities—and not siphon off
tennis players.
By Edward Hechter
I 
have seen the future of tennis
—and pickleball. The manage-
ment team at the Indian Wells
Tennis Garden in California
invited me to see how prepa-
rations are going for this year’s USA
Pickleball National Championship
tournament, to be held from Nov. 3 to
11. Yes, you read that right, pickleball at
the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
In advance of this year’s event, the
Indian Wells team is laying down over
40 pickleball courts. At their facility,
a single tennis court is being trans-
18 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
formed into four world-class pickleball
courts. After the event wraps up, the
team will convert the courts back to
tennis use for the award-winning ATP
World Tour and WTA Tour BNP Pari-
bas Open in March.
It’s exciting to see the team extend
their business into pickleball, demon-
strating what I like to describe as “Pick-
leball’s Economic Density Advantage.”
Over the years, we’ve worked
with hundreds of tennis and athletic
facilities around the country to help
them add pickleball to their program
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden
transformed tennis courts into
more than 40 pickleball courts to
host the USA Pickleball National
Championship, from Nov. 3 to 11.
offerings. These facilities are facing the
reality of an aging (and burgeoning)
baby-boomer population interested in
staying involved in racquet sports. They
are also facing competition in racquet-
sports participation in the form of pick-
leball. While many tennis facilities may
be seeing fewer players on the courts,
pickleball grew 11.3 percent in partici-
pation last year, to 3.1 million players in
the United States.
Tennis facility operators face a
choice—lose some of their customers
to pickleball, or attract new customers
with pickleball.
Pickleball’s ‘Economic Density’
For facilities, pickleball has the advan-
tage of being able to be played indoors
or outdoors, on hardwood or hard court
surfaces. Gymnasiums traditionally
used for basketball or volleyball can
easily adapt to support pickleball. Ceil-
ing heights of 20 or 24 feet are gener-
ally acceptable.
For non-tennis facilities, adding
pickleball is easy, inexpensive and
meets a growing demand. For exist-
ing tennis facilities, yes, these are new
competitors. But importantly, pickle-
P H O T O O F I N D I A N W E L L S T E N N I S G A R D E N C O U RT E S Y P I C K L E B A L L C E N T R A L
ball’s growth doesn’t need to siphon off
tennis players from tennis facilities.
In fact, done properly, pickleball can
increase revenues for tennis facilities.
The key is taking advantage of
pickleball’s “economic density.” The
premise is simple: Pickleball can create
more revenue per square foot than ten-
nis, and the two sports can peacefully
co-exist. This allows tennis facility op-
erators to not only fight off a potential
decline in tennis participation, but ride
a wave of new players.
The two biggest expenses in a ten-
nis facility are labor and real estate. A
typical tennis court uses 7,200 square
feet (60 by 120 feet). A typical pickle-
ball court uses around 1,800 square
feet. Depending on how your tennis
courts are configured, each court might
be able to convert into four pickleball
courts. In addition, you should be able
www.tennisindustrymag.com

to fit pickleball courts into smaller,
unused areas of your facility that are
too small for tennis.
Converting Unused Space
One of my favorite places to play
pickleball is the Holua Tennis (and
Pickleball) Center in Hawaii. Master
Professional Donnia Bondallian has
seamlessly added pickleball into her
tennis facility by converting underused
space into a vibrant pickleball program
that is side-by-side with her tennis
program. They took an unused, “too
small for comfort” tennis court at the
outskirts of their facility and converted
it to four dedicated pickleball courts.
Their tennis facility was transformed
overnight into a 15-court racquet and
paddle facility, adding new members
and new programs. As pickleball took
off, they then took one of their 11 tennis
courts and painted out dual permanent
lines for four more pickleball courts.
Now their facility has the capacity for
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18 active simultaneous courts support-
ing 72 simultaneous players. Before,
their 11 tennis courts could support
only 44 tennis players. In the new con-
figuration, 40 tennis players are playing
on dedicated tennis courts while as
many as 32 pickleball players play on
dedicated or double-striped pickleball
courts. The facility has increased its
revenue capacity by almost 40 percent.
They have the same real estate costs as
before, and they still have the same 11
tennis courts available.
More Members, Court Time, Sales
Steve and Jennifer Dawson are the
owners of the Bobby Riggs Tennis
Center (now known as Bobby Riggs
Racquet and Paddle). Lifelong ten-
nis players and teaching pros, they’ve
found economic success with a similar
embrace of pickleball. In recent years,
they converted two tennis courts into
eight pickleball courts. They’ve also
taken one tennis court and created
(800) 776-6770
November/December 2018
TennisIndustry
double permanent lines in a way that
works well for both sports.
Both of these clubs have shown how,
by adding pickleball, their facilities
generate more membership, more
court rentals, more food/beverage sales
and more pro-shop sales. The teaching
pros at these clubs are now teaching
pickleball, which has almost doubled
the number of prospective lessons they
can offer each month.
Donnia, Steve and Jennifer saw the
future of pickleball in a tennis facility
years ago. The folks at the Indian Wells
Tennis Garden are seeing it now.
Now may be the time for you to look
into the future and consider the eco-
nomic density advantage that pickle-
ball can bring to tennis facilities. 
Edward Hechter is the CEO of Pickleball
Central, which, along with Pickleball-
Tournaments.com, helps to market and
promote instructional programs,
tournaments and club events.
The Official Ball
Machine of the USPTA
TM
9/17/17 1:16 PM
TennisIndustry 19
Major Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference
January 23-25 | Orlando FL Te n n i s I n d u s t r y
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports
Conference will be Jan. 23-25, 2019 in
ORLANDO
2019 innovation
Orlando, Fla.—co-located with the PGA CHALLENGE
Merchandise Show at the Orange County
Convention Center (OCCC). The tennis, racquet and paddle sports industry
event will incorporate the TIA’s annual Tennis Owners &Managers (TOM)
Conference, along with a curated “One2One” buying summit that will Apply for 4th
match invited key buyers with industry
vendors. There also will be an exhibit Innovation Challenge
pavilion of racquet, paddle and tennis Do you have an innovative product or service? Apply
vendors and organizations. now through Nov. 15 for the fourth Tennis Industry
Organized by the TIA and Reed Exhibitions, the conference is targeted Innovation Challenge. A short, free application is at
to all facets of the business and will bring together racquet sports TennisIndustry.org/Innovation. Finalists will present
professionals, industry leaders and brands. “Reed has helped to grow in person on Jan. 24 at the Racquet & Paddle Sports
the PGA Show into the ultimate resource for the golf industry,” says TIA Conference for a cash prize from the TIA, along with
Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “Together, we have a tremendous national exposure.
opportunity to grow the business of tennis and racquet sports and
showcase this industry.”
The first day will include sessions at the OCCC, but then will travel to
the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona for a hands-on product demo experience, Innovation Tours, followed by a welcome
party. The conference will include five educational tracks: Innovation & Technology; Facility Operations; Human Resources &
Professional Services; Event Management & Hospitality; and Membership, Marketing & Promotions. (Continuing education credits
are available.) The fourth edition of the TIA’s Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge will be held on Jan. 24.
“While a stand-alone event, having it co-located with the PGA Show will help us address common challenges, share ideas and
best practices, and help to drive business forward,” de Boer notes. The PGA Merchandise Show draws 40,000 attendees, with
more than 1,000 media from around the world.
For more information and to register, visit RacquetPaddleSportsShow.com or TennisIndustry.org.

Tennis Forum
Discusses
Challenges,
Opportunities
More than 350 tennis leaders, industry executives
and tennis providers came together at the 11th
annual TIA Tennis Forum in New York during the
US Open to hear the latest news and research
about the state of the tennis and sports industries,
including collaborative ways to move the sport and
industry forward. For more on the Forum, and to
view a short video of industry stats and research,
visit TennisIndustry.org.

20 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 Join

Jointhe
theTIA
TIA. . . .Increase
IncreaseYour
YourProfits
Profits. . . .Grow
Growthe
theGame
Game. . . .TennisIndustry.org
TennisIndustry.org
 Powered by the Tennis Industry Association

Wednesday, January 23 – Friday, January 25, 2019

ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER/USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS

ONE2ONE Apparel, Innovation & Technology Demo TOM CONFERENCE

Accessories & Footwear Day & Welcome Party 2019 Expanded Format

*ONE2ONE ZONE
by invitation only

DAY DAY DAY

1 2 3
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FACILITIES DESIGN INNOVATIVE MARKETING EVENT
& INNOVATION &______________
MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT
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• Innovative New Products
PROFESSIONAL • Online Event Management/
• The New ‘Business’ of
SERVICES Hospitality - Part II
Tennis Development • Hiring & Staffing • Innovative Online
• Court Surfaces & Lighting • Advancing Your Career Management Services

Innovation & TIA Tennis Forum / Specialty Courses

Technology Demo Day Innovation Challenge & Hands-On
and Welcome Party Tech Sessions
USTA National Campus

Interested in Attending or Exhibiting?

racquetpaddlesportsshow.com
*ONE2ONE Apparel, Accessories & Footwear, Curated, mutually matched appointments WEDNESDAY, January 23
TennisIndustry

A P PS A
ERL LE ILN&
G FF O
ROAM
TWE SE A R

2 S0 P1 R7 I RN AGC OQ U TELTOSOEKL E2 C0 T1O9 R

A Fashionable Turn Spring tennis apparel and footwear will be

defined by fashion, function and form.
Bright colors will highlight apparel and
Eye-opening colors highlight shoes, but gone are the glaring neons. Look
for subdued shades of pinks and corals, and
this spring’s apparel lots of blues—all combined with perfor-
mance-enhancing technology and features.
and footwear for the court. Whether you believe tennis influences
fashion or fashion influences tennis, it
doesn’t really matter. It’s all about how well
By Cynthia Sherman function, fashion and form work together.

Bolle
bolletennisapparel.com / 301-362-0360
Bolle’s Spring Viper line highlights a popular snake-
print pattern in gray heather and pink tulip in a fab-
feeling poly-spandex jersey, which features spaghetti
straps, angular skorts and criss-cross shoulder treat-
ments. Colorways are tulip, white and ash heather, with
retail prices ranging from $64 to $68 for the tops; $66
and $67 for the skorts.

22 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Tail
tailactivewear.com / 888-906-1341
Tail’s offering comprises fresh corals
and “blue depth/botanic blue” color-
ways. The Jaelynn racer-back ($69)
allows you to wear your own bra. The
Kailey skort ($69), in melon punch,
features panels and a flounced hem.
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y B O L L E , TA I L , LU C KY I N L OV E , S O F I B E L L A , E L E V E N BY V E N U S, F I L A
Lucky In Love
luckyinlovekids.com / 305-638-5484
The Spring Axis Point highlights electric
blue on a strappy cami ($70) in a land-
scape print, with built-in bra and mesh
inserts. The layered rally skirt ($72) is
in a shadow stripe and lightweight knit
jersey, with a performance shortie.
Sofibella
sofibellawear.com / 954-917-3544
The Harmonia ink dress ($88) features
shades of blue in an abstract ink print.
Florida-based Sofibella offers fabrics in
a performance nylon blend, enhanced
by moisture-management properties,
UPF 50 and anti-bacterial treatments.

Eleven by Venus Fila

elevenbyvenuswilliams.com / 855-880-7777
The Caracas collection ($57-$105) focuses on fashion-
forward designs and silhouettes, varied textures and touches
of glitter. The line features tanks, tees, skirts and a bomber
jacket with stylish details in mosaic blue, white and the Cara-
cas print—all in a poly/spandex blend, except the cotton tee.
fila.com / 410-773-3000
Fila’s Aqua Sole collection conjures up seaside colors in
abstract geometric print and mesh panels. The line includes
polos, tanks, skorts and this flattering feminine halter dress
($85). All pieces benefit from a moisture-wicking breathable
fabric with 50+ UV protection.

www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 23

TennisIndustry
A P PS A
ERL LE ILN&
G FF O
2 S0 P1 R7 I RN AGC OQ U TELTOSOEKL E2 C0 T1O9 R
New Balance
newbalance.com / 800-595-9138
New Balance’s Fresh Foam Lav men’s shoe ($149.95) was
designed with the help of pro tour player Milos Raonic.
Integrating the mesh package and PU insert, which provide
Head
head.com / 800-289-7366
Head’s Sprint Pro 2.5 ($140) boasts high performance in a
lightweight package. Upper materials are breathable and flex-
ible, while a wrapped lacing system ensures a custom fit. The
all-court sole and midsole technology allow for flexibility and
help keep feet cool. Men’s come in dark blue/neon red or white/
dark blue; women’s in dark blue/magenta or white/pink.
24 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
ROAM
TWE SE A R
damping properties and increased durability, along with the
addition of a supportive heel counter and a kinetic stitch
“Net Bootie” construction, the Fresh Foam Lav provides
solid stability. Colors are emerald or vintage indigo.
Yonex
yonexusa.com / 424-201-4800
The Eclipsion 2 ($140) combines state-of-the-art materi-
als to give players a more stable fit with added flexibility.
“Toughbrid Light” reduces leg and knee stress; the toe box
accommodates the big toe more comfortably; increased
cushioning allows for increased shock absorption. Available
in hard court and clay court versions, for men and women.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 While some of the newest shoes may seem pricier than in the past,
when you consider the wear and tear players’ feet experience on the court,
your customers will appreciate the investment in protection.

Babolat
babolat.com / 877-316-9435
The Jet Mach II ($140) emphasizes agility, speed and feel.
High-tech materials enable quick changes of direction, and
coupled with the addition of Kevlar, provide support and
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y N E W B A L A N C E , H E A D, YO N E X , B A B O L AT, K- S W I S S, F I L A
stability. EVA padding provides a well-cushioned heel and the
DIN20 rubber sole add to the long wear, making this an app-
ealing shoe for frequent players. Men’s come in dark yellow/
black or dark red/black; women’s in pink/black or white/pink.

K-Swiss
k-swiss.com / 844-284-1292
K-Swiss says its new Aero Knit ($139.95) is the lightest high-
end shoe it has ever made. Design, performance, comfort
and optimal cushioning are hallmarks of this shoe, featuring
an aerodynamic upper with hidden laces and “Infi-Knit”
technology providing protection and support. Men’s come in
brilliant blue/neon orange; women’s in coral blush/white.
Fila
fila.com / 410-773-3000
An anti-slide nylon lining, molded sockliner, heel cup and
forefoot cage, along with supportive cushioning and TPU
midfoot stabilizer, make Fila’s lightweight Axilus 2 Energized
($110) a stand-out. Worn by John Isner, Karolina Pliskova
and Marin Cilic, men’s come in bright green/surf/Fila navy;
women’s in electric blue lemonade/Fila navy/white.

www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 25

TennisIndustry
Beyond Strings
Take your customer service
to the next level by adding racquet
customization features.
By By Bob Patterson
USRSA Executive Director
S
ervicing customers’ racquets
has long been the corner-
stone of successful tennis
retail operations. If you are
in the business of serving
tennis players, you should be offering
basic services such as stringing and re-
gripping—even if you don’t actually sell
racquets. Otherwise, you are doing your
customers a disservice and missing out
on an opportunity.
Racquet service is one of the most
profitable revenue streams for a pro
shop or specialty store, and it can have
a dramatic effect on the overall opera-
26 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
CUSTOMER SERVICE
R A C Q U E T C U S T O M I Z AT I O N
tion of your business. Providing top-
notch racquet service can bring more
players into your shop, leading to ad-
ditional foot traffic as players drop off
and pick up their racquets. In addition,
if you offer an express, while-you-wait
service, you’ll have customers hanging
out in your shop and being exposed to
everything else you sell while they wait.
This can lead to additional sales of ap-
parel, shoes and accessories, and it may
even result in enrollment in a clinic or
event that is advertised in the shop.
To take your customer service to the
next level, though, you should consider
going beyond basic stringing and
re-gripping. Offer a full range of racquet
services that includes grommet
replacement, handle resizing and
racquet customization. Adding these
services may require a small invest-
ment, but it will pay a big return—not
only in additional revenue, but also in
how these extra features will enhance
your overall business and set you up as
a full-service operation.
The first step to implementing these
services is either learning the skills
yourself, or hiring skilled personnel
to service racquets. Having a USRSA
Master Racquet Technician on staff is
a big plus. MRTs have been tested and
verified, so they have the knowledge
and skills to do first-class work. Plus,
being able to promote having an MRT
will draw business to your shop.
Bumper/Grommet Replacement
This simple task has never been more
important, as players are hanging on to
their racquets longer. Most grommet
sets are available from manufacturers,
so if you sell racquets, adding some
SHUTTERSTOCK
replacement sets to your order will
ensure that in a few months, you’ll have
the parts you need to keep your players’
racquets fresh and ready to go.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 Racquet service is one of the most profitable revenue streams
and can have a dramatic effect on the overall operation of your business.
Grommet sets are fairly inexpensive
and easily stored, so you can keep a
good supply of the most popular mod-
els and order others as needed. USRSA
members can also utilize the USRSA’s
“Grommet Network” to find grommet
sets that are no longer in production. A
few simple tools, such as cutters and an
awl, are all that is needed to install.
Handle Sizing
Having a properly fitted handle is
important to a player’s health and
performance. Ideally, sizing the handle
should be done when a racquet is
purchased, but there are times when a
player may realize he or she needs a dif-
ferent size grip on their current frame.
Changing the handle size can range
from an increase of one or half-size,
using a Gamma Heat Sleeve, to a com-
plete replacement using Pacific’s PGS
system. For the heat-sleeve installa-
tion, you’ll need a heat gun and some
simple cutting tools. The PGS system
can be installed with ordinary tools.
Weight, Balance, Swingweight
This can be the most complicated of
services offered, but it can also bring
the most reward, since it is niche and
not widely offered.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Customization can be performed
in a wide variety of applications,
from matching the specs of a player’s
racquets so that all are identical, to
completely tuning the specs to best fit
the player’s needs.
Racquet Matching: Most avid club,
tournament and league players carry
at least two racquets in their bag.
Although they may be the same make
and model, chances are they are not
identical. Manufacturing tolerances
allow for variations in weight, balance
and swingweight, so two racquets can
vary as much as 10 grams or more in
both weight and swingweight.
Matching the frames so that all
are exactly the same is a fairly simple
process that will make your customers
forget about that one “favorite racquet”
and start using all of their racquets.
The Racquet Customizer Tool
available to USRSA members on
RacquetTECH.com makes the process
even easier by finding the right recipe
to get racquets all matched up.
Racquet Tuning: Tuning racquets
requires an experienced technician,
but it can be easier than you might
think, especially when you’re dealing
November/December 2018
with recreational players. You need to
know how racquet characteristics affect
performance, and what your customer
needs and expects.
Working with a player to tweak their
specs not only will enhance their on-
court performance, it also will build a
relationship between the technician
and the player, ensuring that your
shop’s reputation will continue to grow
as a premier racquet service center.
For this process, you will need to
invest in a swingweight scale like
the Alpha AccuSwing, a static Bal-
ance Board, available from Alpha and
Gamma, and an accurate scale, avail-
able at a variety of locations. You will
also need materials to add weight to
the frame, such as lead tape or tungsten
tape, silicone or hot-melt glue.
By taking your racquet service to the
next level, you will see happy players,
who will keep coming back to your shop
for your excellent care. •
By becoming a member of the U.S.
Racquet Stringers Association, you
can take advantage of all the tools the
USRSA has to offer when it comes to
servicing players and building your busi-
ness. Visit RacquetTech.com to find out
about membership and certifications.
TennisIndustry 27
TennisIndustry

COURT CONSTRUCTION

By The Book The construction and

maintenance manual is an
The ninth edition of the Tennis Courts essential tool for those who
manual contains important updates for plan, build and maintain
courts and facilities.
builders and court owners.
ties, lighting, indoor tennis, care and
2. In no instance should any imperfection exist that could cause the ball to deviate
significantly from its path on a level surface, or expose a player to a significantly
increased risk of injury within the perimeter of the court.

maintenance, and more. Also included

3. Deviations on clay or grass over 6 mm should be corrected where possible.
4. Unless design, specification or construction necessitate otherwise.

Table 4. Evenness, slope and planarity recommendations for a tennis court.

in the spiral-bound book are more than

Recommended
Illumination
for Tennis Facil
Slope and Planarity (ITF CS 03/03) Recommended Hori ities
Performance zontal Illum
Criteria ination

50 detailed construction drawings.

Aver
Ideally, a tennis court shouldage be Main
a flattaine
surface
d lying in a single horizontal
Horiz Class I plane. The court
Foot-candles ontal Class II
may be sloped for drainage, but the singlewithiplane of the surface should always 125+ be maintained. Class III
Minimum Main n PPA (1,2,4) 75
Foot- tained Horiz (1250 lux) 50
ontal
The slope should be orientedcand les within PPA
to minimise its effect
(2,4) on play. Thus, where
(750 be
100 a court mustlux)

New in the ninth edition are color pho-

Maximum (500 lux)
sloped for drainage, a slope from UniformityisRatio
side-to-side preferred (see Figure (1000
6). If necessary, the 60
(3) lux) (600 lux) 40
slope can be from end-to-end. 1.5 (400 lux)
1.7
Recommended 2.0

tos incorporated with the text to help

The slope is determined by measuring Performan the ratio of change in elevation
Vertical Illum to horizontal
ce Criteria
Average
distance. Planarity is measured relative
Maintaineto a hypothetical plane parallel to the inati slopeonof the court.
d Vertical Class I
Foot-candles Class II
within PPA 50 Class III
Maximum Unifo (1,2,4)

show important construction details

(500 lux) 30
rmity Ratio (300 lux) 20
(3)
2.0 (200 lux)
Notes: 3.0
1. Maintaine 3.0
d foot-
measured foot- candles is determined by

and other features. Many of the photos

candles. LLF applying a light
atmospheric
conditions. It is dependent on fixture loss
ss facto
proper LLF can vary betw type, fixture r (LLF) to the initial or
values. een .60 and maintenance
2. Average .90. Consult and
maintained and fixture manu

in the manual are from USTA and/or

Primary Playi minimum main facturer
er for
for
3. Uniformity ng Area (PPA) with the tained foot-candles shou
ratio foot- ld be
minimum foot- is defined as the ratio of candle values multiplied calculated within the
4. Primary candles. the maximum by the appro
foot-candles priate
divided by the LLF.

ASBA award-winning projects.

Playing Area
10’ behind the (PPA) is defin
baseline. ed as the area ea that inclu
des 6’ beyond
the sidelines
and
Typical Facil if necessary.

One of the key sections that has been

Figure 6. Preferred orientationClass I (1) of slope (side-to-side), ity Classifica
Professional tions
Class II
Apparatus International Satellite (3) Class III
Satellite Chal lenger (3) College (4)

revised in the new manual is lighting.

Test apparatus consists Chal of: lenger College (2) High School
College Tennis Club Tennis Club
s s
Parks/Recreatio Parks/Recr
• A distance-measuring device, calibrated to ± nal as a laser distance
0.05%, such eational
meter
Residential

“We updated and reorganized the

or a steel tape. Residential
Note s:
• A surveyor’s level, calibrated to ± 1 mm/10 m, and a measuring staff, calibrated to
1. Class I facilities gene
± 0.25 mm.willThe level may be eitherrally a self-levelling
involve broad rotary laser, which sweeps out
include perm cast quali
a horizontal plane with anen of visible or
a beam infrared light, an optical level, where
2. Facil ities which host t spectator accommoda ty telev

entire chapter,” says Brogan, who

ision produ ction. These
the plane is defined intercollegaxis tions.
Thes e faciliby the horizontal
ties may have
of the instrument,
iate play, or a pressurised facilities
3. Profe
hydrostatic altimeter.
ssional permanent or but without broadcast ast television
4. Collegiate tennis events without broadtemporary seating. requirements.
facilities prim
arily used for cast television requireme

chaired the joint editorial board. “Not

practice or for nts.
Please note that intramural or
specific facili some facili tyAppendices recre ation al play.
ty types appear 245
requirements should be chosen based in multiple categories. Illum
that will take on the highe ination level

only does it flow more logically, but we

information place at the st skill level s for a
abou facility. See , or spectator
Facilities with t each class. It is recog the and television
older average nized th older descriptions for more detai
player ages shou that playe led
ld be designed rs require higher light level
for higher level s.

also added more information about

s of light.
Chapter 14:
Lighting

135
DRAWIN
GS ARE
ILLUSTR
ATIVE ONL
Y AND ASB
A AND UST
LED lighting, including retrofitting
existing lighting systems with LED
Chapt A ACCEPT
er 3: Th NO RES
e Tenn PONSIB
is Court ILITY FOR
THEIR USE
.

technology. LED lighting continues to

E
 
33

grow in popularity for sports facilities,

very three years, the
American Sports Builders
Association (ASBA) and
the USTA join forces to
update and produce one
of the tennis industry’s key resources:
Tennis Courts: A Construction & Main-
tenance Manual. The ninth edition has
just rolled off the press and features
some key updates for users, along with
a new interactive digital version.
The comprehensive, 272-page refer-
ence manual is geared toward facility
owners, managers, tennis profession-
als, builders, architects and engineers,
and is designed to promote the quality
construction, maintenance and repair
of tennis facilities.
“One of the strengths of this manual
is that it’s put together and updated
by experienced builders and design-
and we’re grateful to have had sports
An editorial board with representatives lighting expert Bruce Frasure help us
from the ASBA and USTA meet regularly
to determine what should be updated
in updating our lighting chapter.”
or added to new editions of the Also receiving special attention
construction and maintenance manual. in this edition was post-tensioned
concrete, which is increasingly being
ASBA. “Organizations, clubs, schools, used in place of asphalt as a founda-
park & rec districts, resorts and many tion for tennis courts. In the “Repair,
others will want to have this reference Reconstruction” chapter, a key chart
on hand. It’s an essential tool for those on “Common Tennis Court Problems”
who plan, build and maintain courts was expanded, and now includes larger
and facilities.” color photos to better help identify
The ninth edition of Tennis Courts concrete, asphalt and surface issues,
was reviewed and updated by a four- and propose causes and possible rem-
person editorial board comprised of edies. In addition, an appendix section
representatives from both the USTA was added that includes ITF guidelines
and the ASBA that included three on determining “evenness,” “slope”
Certified Tennis Court Builders—Mark and “planarity.”
Brogan, David Moore and Richard New with the 2018 edition of the
Zaino—and a Professional Engineer manual is an interactive, linkable PDF
and facility designer, David LaSota. version that contractors can easily use
The book includes chapters on out in the field.
C O U RT E S Y A S B A

ers who are working daily in this field planning courts and facilities, facility Both the print and digital versions of
and keeping up with all the trends and design, building courts (including clay, the Tennis Courts manual cost $44.95
innovations in the business,” says Fred hard and grass courts), surfacing hard and are available at ASBA’s website,
Stringfellow, executive director of the courts, fencing, accessories and ameni- www.sportsbuilders.org. 

28 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com

TennisIndustry
Machine Review
STRINGING MACHINES
Tourna Cube
Visually arresting, this new
stringing machine follows through
with great performance.
By Nate Pagel
USRSA Associate Director
T
he Tourna Cube stringing
machine is a visual specta-
cle. Its design is not just for
show, however—it is very
useful while stringing. And
the Cube easily holds its own against
other high-end stringing machines.
The Tourna Cube arrived in our office
in three boxes. I assembled it myself in
30 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
about 45 minutes—the steps were easy
to follow. The only challenge was that
the bolts that hold the cube in place
weren’t the easiest to position. The
machine weighs 129 pounds, which can
be good or bad, depending on what you
want to use it for.
What truly makes this machine
unique is its shape. The cube holds the
tension head, and it’s illuminated to
provide a great display of the inner-
workings of the tension-head mecha-
nism. The cube also has a tool rack that
can be mounted on its side, which has
spots for all the tools you might want to
use, as well as the tools to turn the Cube
into a badminton stringer. There is also a
conveniently placed USB port to charge
a phone or tablet.
The Tourna Cube features a six-point
mounting system with a small and big
nob on either side to adjust the points
at 12 and 6 o’clock, 10 and 2, and 8 and
4, respectively. At the 12 and 6 o’clock
mounts, you can choose from the stan-
dard “I” point or the included “W” point
to help spread out the load and put less
stress on the racquet.
To adjust the towers, there is an
extending bar built into the turntable.
When you need to adjust it, you pull it
out, turn it until the towers are where
you want them, and then push the bar
back in so that it doesn’t catch the string
while stringing. It is a simple and easy-
to-use design.
The turntable lock has a similar
extending bar attached to the base of the
turntable so that it doesn’t turn. After
you extend the bar, you pull it to the
other side to lock the turntable. To lock
it solidly, you have to match up the teeth;
I had to move it slightly to line it up
properly, but once I got used to it I had
no problem with it.
There is an optional reel rack under
the turntable, which I found useful and
easy to use. On rare occasions my string
would catch on it, but it wasn’t a major
issue. The reel rack, though, allows the
Cube to be used as a tabletop machine,
which can be useful if you don’t have
space for the stand in your shop.
Speaking of the stand, the Tourna
Cube features electric height adjust-
ment, allowing the racquet to sit from
42 to 54 inches off the ground, making it
very versatile if you have multiple users.
C O U RT E S Y U N I Q U E S P O RT S
The Cube also has eight memory settings
for different tensions, as well as six dif-
ferent pull speeds.
The keypad features adjustments
in 0.1 increments for either pounds or
kilograms, by holding down the up/down
buttons. There is also a “step” feature
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 TennisIndustry

that will set the tension at 15-pound

increments up to 60 pounds. The
machine also has a knot button and
pre-stretch settings in increments of 5
percent from 0 to 20 percent.
The Tourna Cube features a diablo
and linear-pull tension head with an
auto-start system that works with even
the most delicate strings. They are posi-
tioned in a way that allows the turntable
to turn a full 360 degrees with a racquet
mounted. The clamps are on arcing
tracks that allow for quick, smooth
movement from one string to the next.
The Cube does not use diamond dust
in the clamps, but the clamps are still
textured, and they get the job done. I
found myself being a bit more careful
when calibrating the clamps whenever
I changed strings, although I never had
any problem with string slippage as long
as I took the time to set the clamps every
time I began stringing with a new string.
The base of the clamps “click” when they
are set in place, and can be released by
either the press of a button or their grav-
Tourna Cube
ity release mechanism.
PROS
One unique and helpful aspect of this
machine is calibration, which can be • Heavy (stable)
done with the keypad, without send- • Easily customizable height, preset tensions,
ing any parts back to the manufacturer. and pre-stretch
You just have to follow the simple steps
• Ample room for tools
provided in the owner’s manual.
Since the Cube is fairly heavy, you • USB port to charge phone or tablet
probably don’t want to use it as a travel-
• Eye-catching design
ing machine. But its weight makes it
stable, which is of critical importance. • Auto-start system on tension head
There were a couple of features I • One-touch gravity-assisted clamp release
missed in the Cube, such as diamond
dust in the clamps and a full keypad to • Simple calibration
punch in the exact tension, but the way CONS
the Cube is set up, you quickly get used
to working without those features. • Heavy (not easy to move)
Overall, the Tourna Cube is a great • Reel rack may catch string
stringing machine. I would recommend
it for use in any pro shop—especially in a • No diamond dust in clamps
spot where your customers can see it and • No full keypad
admire its design. 

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www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 31

TennisIndustry
AskTheExperts
With or Without
the Diablo?
Q: I am trying to evaluate constant-pull
stringing machines for an upcoming
purchase. I have one question: If the
same machine is available both with
and without a diablo (a.k.a. nosecone),
do you think it is best to get the one
with the diablo?
A: Get the machine with the diablo.
Because the string does a full wrap
around the diablo/nosecone before
entering the tension jaws, there is less
stress on the string (and therefore, less
crushing or other damage), and less
stress on the tension jaws (and there-
fore, they last longer and/or don’t fly
apart under high tensions).
Also, on machines with 360-degree
turntable rotation where the tension
head can be moved close to the racquet
frame, the diablo ensures that the
string enters the tension jaws at the
correct angle.
32 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
String
Manufacturing
Q: Thank you for your article in the
May issue about the production of ten-
nis strings (“How Synthetic Strings Are
Made”). A small group of us would like
to try to start to produce our own ten-
nis strings. Can you give us some advice
on where to start?
A: The best advice we can give is to
contact one of the many string manu-
facturers and ask them about making a
string for you on a private-label basis.
Polyester strings seem to be easier to
produce, and there are many compa-
nies that are able to manufacture poly
strings. There are far fewer manufac-
turers that make nylon strings, how-
ever the big nylon string factories make
strings for almost everyone, so once
you establish a relationship, you should
be good to go.
There are even fewer companies
that manufacture natural gut string,
but even they should be willing to do a
private-label string for you.
Crooked Crosses
Q: While installing the cross strings on
a Prince Warrior 100, I noticed that the
crosses in the middle were not paral-
lel. The distance between the ports is
visibly less than the width of the port
itself, and because the ports are stag-
gered, the cross strings are not evenly
spaced and actually veer from a clean
90-degree angle with the mains and are
not parallel. Now I have to figure out
how to explain it to the customer.
A: It appears that your customer’s
Prince Warrior 100 is missing the silver
insert that our racquet has, similar to
a grommet strip. You should see it at
the head, throat and on the sides. If you
look closely on the far side—the lowest
grommet hole by the head before the
large holes start—there should be one
normal grommet that is silver. 
We welcome your questions. Email them
to greg@racquettech.com.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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Tennis Instry 2.indd 1 7/25/18 1:44 PM

TennisIndustry
GROWING THE GAME
Smart Money
Let’s put the pros’ prize money
to work for grassroots tennis.
By Walid Fattah
F
ans have been blessed with
some incredible tennis at
the Grand Slams this year.
Professional players put
it all on the line, leading
to some remarkable matches, and their
hard work pays off. At this year’s US
Open, singles champions Naomi Osaka
and Novak Djokovic took home record
prize money—$3.8 million each! Total
prize money at this year’s Open topped
$53 million, also a record.
In the excitement of a Grand Slam
tournament—when tennis fans are sur-
rounded by advertisements featuring
pro players, when news clips feature the
sport and its personalities, and when we
see record numbers of fans attending
the US Open—it’s easy to think tennis is
a sport that is growing and thriving. But,
as former USTA President (and now ITF
President) Dave Haggerty once said, the
34 TennisIndustry November/December 2018
YourServe
success of the US Open masks a lot of
challenges we have as an industry.
One of the biggest challenges, certain-
ly in the U.S. market, is that recreational
tennis participation has been flat for
years, and in 2017 decreased 2.2 percent.
The number of “core” participants—who
play at least 10 times a year and account
for 90 percent of all consumer tennis
spending—fell 3.5 percent last year.
Maybe it’s time we figured out how
some of this ever-escalating prize
money that professional players receive
can be invested to help grow the grass-
roots of this great sport—the very roots
that helped to grow these great players
in the first place.
Let’s face it, $3.8 million is a lot of
money for anyone. But what if a very
small percentage of these huge sums
that top players win at Grand Slams
and other large tournaments actually
went back into a fund to help grow-
the-game programs? In the U.S., there
are hundreds of local tennis programs
that would love to have an extra $500
or $1,000 to help them bring tennis to
more people. Even a small amount can
make all the difference in the world to
children hoping to play this sport.
Could the WTA and ATP—with the
agreement of their players—collect a
small percentage of prize money at the
higher levels of the game, then funnel
that money back to the sport to support
new programs, free lessons in schools
across the world, and subsidized equip-
ment for players who want to try tennis?
Think of the positive public relations
this would generate. And wouldn’t it
make pros proud to be giving back to
the sport that has brought so much (for
instance, $3.8 million!) to them?
How an investment such as this is
distributed would of course need to be
worked out. Perhaps the ITF would get
involved with distributing these funds to
the various tennis federations through-
out the world, with stipulations that it
be used for grow-the-game programs.
Tournaments, and the pro tours,
should be concerned about the decline
of tennis participation, because that can
very well lead to a decline in pro tourna-
ment attendance and viewership, which
will then lead to declines in sponsor-
ship dollars. I realize many players have
their own foundations that they support,
which I’m sure offer tennis, along with
education and life skills. But that may
not be enough to grow tennis worldwide.
By taking a small percentage of these
ever-increasing prize money amounts
and investing it back into tennis’s
grassroots, tennis can thrive at all levels,
throughout the world. •
Walid Fattah is the
co-founder and CEO
of Kourts.com, the
fastest-growing tennis
club management
software in North
America.
U S TA
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 NOV-DEC 2018

Alex Gordon Professional of

the Year Mark Faber.

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 35

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 35 9/20/2018 10:20:46 AM

 FROM THE CEO
A New Day
by John R. Embree, USPTA Chief Executive Officer
A t the USPTA General Membership Meeting during the TTC
in New York, President Gary Trost had an opportunity to
update those in attendance to the latest developments on the
accreditation process and where things stand. Not only were his
remarks timely, they were relevant to our plans that relate to
certification standards and continuing education.
Thus, I thought it would be appropriate to shine a light on the
key elements of his speech. It is vital that our entire membership
understand what is happening with this new partnership being
forged with the USTA. This is an incredible opportunity to
change the industry going forward.
The new USTA accreditation program is the most important
topic facing our Association and the industry. You may be asking:
how will this impact our Association?
Anytime a program of this magnitude is launched, there is a lot
of concern for the unknown. But here is what we do know today:
USPTA & USTA seek to attract new tennis professionals.
We want to support existing professionals to help grow their
business and ultimately grow tennis in the US. The primary
purpose of USTA accreditation and USPTA certification is to
create the best on court experience possible for all types of
players. In addition, we want to provide career pathways for
USPTA members by giving them the competencies necessary to
have a competitive advantage to advance their career.
USPTA wants to raise the standards for certification.
So, when the USTA came to us two years ago with the concept of
improving the consumer experience on court and making our
pros better, we wholeheartedly agreed. The only way we can grow
our game is to enhance the competencies of tennis professionals
through certification and continuing education requirements.
We have more great teaching pros in the United States than
anywhere in the world. However, we need higher standards for
all tennis professionals. This accreditation and certification
program gives us the best chance to accomplish this.
The USPTA received provisional accreditation in March.
PTR also applied for provisional accreditation and as of this
writing, they have not been accredited.
Certification requirements begin in 2020.
We have a lot of work to do to finalize the details with USTA.
All Certified USPTA members as of December 31, 2019 will be
exempt from the new certification standards. Starting in 2020
all new applicants will need to meet the new requirements.
36 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — Nov/Dec 2018
ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 36
I am pleased to announce that the
USPTA and USTA are going to be
partners in raising the standards for
how tennis is delivered in the US. At our
national board and Executive Committee
meetings in New York, we had a very
frank and engaging dialogue with USTA
leadership about how we can collaborate
on a whole host of matters. We left those meetings encouraged
and positive about the direction we are headed.
The USTA realizes that these new higher standards need
to mean something in the job market. This means promoting
these higher standards to those that hire and seek out teaching
pros. Higher standards ultimately should lead to better jobs
and more business. That will take time, but we will develop
a communication plan with USTA to educate those that hire
tennis professionals and our consumers. USTA will be providing
resources and leveraging their assets for this. Ex: PSA’s on
televised events, marketing to club managers and owners, etc.
The USTA also recognizes that education for US tennis-
teaching professionals should be delivered by the certifying
organization (USPTA). Therefore, we will work collaboratively
with the USTA to develop unparalleled educational resources
called USPTA-U (USPTA University).
There will be other exclusive benefits for USPTA pros like:
Grounds passes and/or tickets to sessions at the US Open, US
Open Series events, etc. as well as benefits for USPTA pros when
visiting the USTA National Campus and the BJKNTC.
USPTA Pros will also receive special recognition with NET
GENERATION.
Finally, the USTA will assure us in writing that they have no
intention of getting into the certification business or the tennis
professional association business. REPEAT: the USTA has no
desire to be in the certification business. And no, the USTA is
not taking over the USPTA!
We along with the USTA, are committed to significantly
raising the standards of how tennis is delivered and to make
experiential learning a major part of pre-certification education.
Not only that, the USTA needs the USPTA to help deliver
programs at the grassroots to truly grow our sport. We cannot do
it separately.
We will provide regular updates on these initiatives in the
weeks and months ahead. So, be patient as we forge ahead
down this path. It is a new day for the tennis industry and for
the USPTA. I am very enthusiastic about the potential that this
partnership has for us and the sport in general. *
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 SOUND ON. VOLUME UP.
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 Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 39

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 39 7/12/18
9/20/2018 8:39
10:20:48 AMAM
 First vice President Message
What’s in it for me?
by Feisal Hassan , USPTA First Vice President
W hat ‘s in it for me? That’s a question I hear a lot from
our members at USPTA; and we understand. As a trade
association, we are in the business of providing a benefit to our
members. The reality is, without our members, we don’t have an
association. It is important to understand that the board members,
the national staff, and the division leadership are not the USPTA.
All of our members are the foundation of the USPTA, as well as our
greatest resource. In order to take full advantage of our USPTA
membership, we must learn from and share with each other.
Expanded Partnerships
With the recent accreditation making us the only USTA accredited
tennis-teaching association, our Association’s standing across
the tennis community has been strengthened immeasurably.
We are the industry standard in tennis teaching and the USTA
has affirmed that. As CEO John Embree states on page 36,
more collaboration and expanded programming is on the way.
Opportunities for collaboration while retaining our autonomy is
an integral step in the continued elevation of our Association.
But that question remains- “What’s in it for me?” How do we
take full advantage of the Association’s collective knowledge and
wisdom to better the sport we are so passionate about.
Conference Networking
We implore you to consider attending a division or national
conference. The ability to learn from your peers, engage in
discourse, and offer your specific knowledge, background and
experiences is critical in the growth of our professionals.
Most division conference dates and locations have been set
for the upcoming year and can be found in the back of this issue
on page 60. Of course, I look forward to seeing many USPTA
professionals at the 2019 World Conference in Las Vegas next fall!
Career Development Opportunities
Two additional opportunities afforded to our members are the
USPTA Leadership Academy and the Racquetfit certification
program. I had the good fortune to participate in the inaugural
RacquetFit certification in Lake Nona. It was an eye-opening
experience that has already made a significant impact on my
teaching style and philosophy. Elite Professional Jeff Salzenstein
along with Dr. Sean Drake and Dr. Greg Rose led the presentation
and all in attendance left impressed.
As instructors at the USPTA Leadership Academy, Sara Morse,
Ajay Pant, Jose Pastrello and I saw firsthand how our pros are
eager to improve their careers and the exchange of information
not only benefited them, but I can honestly say I learned
40 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — Nov/Dec 2018
ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 40
something from both the attendees
and the other presenters. We had
USPTA professionals from across the 17
divisions, absorbing information from
the presenters, and more importantly,
learning from their colleagues. We will
continue to offer these programs across
the country.
Another exciting initiative recently launched is the USPTA
Career and Leadership Development Program. This mentor
program connects veteran members with new members looking
to navigate the career path of a tennis-teaching professional.
Southern Division President Kevin Theos is spearheading the
program and it has seen a successful launch this past summer. For
more information, visit the uspta website at uspta.org/CLDP.
Increased Membership
To maximize our Association value, we all must strive to increase
our membership, ensuring that young and seasoned professionals
alike feel welcome and inspired to share their experiences and
knowledge. We recently introduced a pathway for current and
former PTR members to transition to USPTA certification.
As the only USTA accredited tennis teaching association, we felt
it important to offer an easily accessible road map for all qualified
professionals. To our current members, this will widen the breadth
of knowledge the Association possess and offers an offer expanded
opportunities for expanded networking and learning.
Bringing new members into the Association also extends to our
current members the chance to cover a significant portion of your
annual membership dues. Led by current USPTA Vice President
Mark Faber, The Admire, Invite, Mentor (AIM) Initiative rewards
current members financially for bringing potential USPTA
members within the fold.
Think about that, encouraging your colleagues to become part
of the best tennis teaching organization in the world, increase the
collective voice of the Association, and have a significant portion of
your membership dues paid for; it is a win-win.
The Takeaway
If you want to get the most out of your USPTA membership, I
encourage you to put the most in. Attend a conference or division
meeting. Share your knowledge with our members. Take part in
the mentor program. Attend a career development seminar.
Doing any of these things will enrich your membership benefits
and empower us all to continue to lead the way as the world’s
premier tennis-teaching association.*
9/20/2018 10:20:48 AM
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 Master Pro Corner

Sport psychology for kids

WHEN SHOULD IT BEGIN?
by USPTA Master Professional Ronald B. Woods Ph.D., and E. Paul Roetert Ph.D.

O ne of the greatest baseball players of all time is Yogi Berra,

Hall of Famer for the New York Yankees. He was an All-Star
catcher 18 times and won 10 World Series titles as a player, more
than anyone in history. He was also known for his frequent
malapropisms and puzzling statements such as this one;
“The game of baseball is 90 percent mental, and the other
half is physical.”
If you were asked about the importance of mental
toughness in sports, what would be your response? Your
response will probably reflect your personal experience as
a player or spectator and likely be influenced by your own
mental toughness as a competitor.
Most coaches consider sports to be at least 50 percent
mental when competing against an opponent of equal
ability, and certain sports (such as tennis, golf and figure
skating) are viewed as 80 to 90 percent mental. (Weinberg
and Gould, 2015) For elite athletes in professional sports
or in the Olympic Games, what sets athletes apart is their
mental toughness since virtually all competitors have
talent, skill, training and fitness. When events are decided
The secret is to introduce the concepts in a kid friendly way that
by tiny margins measured in hundreds of a second or players see the benefit.
centimeters, mental skills are often the deciding factor.
(Psychlopaedia, 2016) In our schools, we teach kids to begin to read and do
Many athletes and coaches believe that if physical skills mathematics by that age. The secret is to introduce the
and physical conditioning are relatively equal, then mental concepts in a kid friendly way so that players see the benefit,
toughness will make the difference between two teams or grasp and understand the idea and immediately apply the
individuals in competition. A majority will admit that at the concept in practice or play.
highest levels of competition including professional sports Let’s take a look at some of the sport psychology
an athletes’ mental toughness under the pressure to win is principles that can apply to youth sports.
the deciding factor. At the same time, when quizzed about Intrinsic motivation is the key to capitalizing on kids’
when athletes should be introduced to mental toughness natural interests and attraction to sports so that they have
skill, a majority indicate during middle school or high fun and enjoyment every time they play. Why else would
school when sports become more serious and athletes are they want to play tennis? Understanding what gets kids
more capable of learning mental skills. excited about playing a sport and sustaining their interest
But what about youth sports? Is mental toughness and enthusiasm is absolutely essential to reversing the
relevant, important or critical for young athletes? It is recent trend of high dropout rates from youth sports.
widely accepted that mental toughness is a learned trait We’ve tried to bribe kids with extrinsic motivators such as
or group of skills that enables athletes to perform under premium racquets, trendy clothing, trophies, titles, and
competitive stress and those skills are rooted in the rankings that all become ineffective in the long run. We’ve
broader science of sport psychology. We believe that sport got to figure out what “fun” means to kids and then make
psychology principles and fundamental skills should be sure that practices, training and competition are all fun
introduced from the very beginning when kids start to for kids.
participate in sports. That means from ages 5-6 to start and Effort and energy have to be invested by kids for them
building on that those basic skills through ages 7-12. to learn, compete and develop in a sport. Trying as hard

42 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — Nov/Dec 2018

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 42 9/20/2018 10:20:49 AM

 Master Pro Corner
as they can is really the only worthwhile goal because it is
within their control. Rewarding kids only when they win
sets them up for a lifetime of disappointment since at least
half of all players lose every game or match. Encouragement
and rewarding kids for exerting effort should occur every
time they step on a court, regardless of the outcome. Of
course, this assumes that our primary goal as coaches is to
keep kids playing tennis.
Competence in any skill will build a young player’s self-
confidence and belief that strengthens intrinsic motivation
and stimulates giving full effort to learning tennis skills,
tactics and testing them in competition. Skills need to be
introduced in a way that rewards effort, produces rapid
learning, and creates self-satisfaction.
Positive coaching techniques help reinforce the key
factors listed above. Catch players doing something
well, and reward or reinforce it immediately. Resist the
temptation to point out errors of execution lest that error
becomes a mental block. Instead suggest or help players
figure out what they could do to further improve their skills
through better preparation, body balance, swing speed or
adding more spin to the shot. Likewise, help young players
develop faster and enjoy playing more by insisting only on
positive self-talk such as “I can do better, I’ll get it next time,
or smooth and easy does it.”
Communication and cooperation with friends and
competitors should be expected, taught and rewarded
from the start. Learning how to be a good friend, partner
and even opponent is perhaps one of most enduring values
of sports. Frequent changes of partners on court, team
drills and activities, cooperative drills to achieve a goal and
off-court activities to get to know each other outside of
tennis are all worth staging and will help reinforce positive
attitudes and treatment of other players.
Character, caring for others and citizenship should also
be a building block to the overall development of young
athletes. Tennis is somewhat unique among sports with its
emphasis on good sporting behavior both within the rules
and the spirit of the game. Use those lessons to illustrate the
principles of respecting the traditions of the game, respect
for others including players, coaches, officials and parents
who collectively make the tennis experience possible.
Kudos to the United States Tennis Association (USTA)
for its ambitious new program effort “Net Generation”
that is designed to attract young players and keep them in
the sport. The components of this program follow the best
current scientific information that shows how kids can
actually learn physical skills at a rapid pace, enjoy success,
enhance their confidence, make friends and have fun. The
C. Federer
coaching curriculum is filled with tips for coaches to help
deliver positive coaching, reward effort, acquire new skills
rapidly and respect others and make good friends. Check it
out at netgeneration.usta.com.
In the end, we see our goal as introducing kids to tennis
and keeping them playing for a lifetime. To achieve
those results, we believe kids need to develop mentally,
emotionally and socially along with learning physical skills.
By laying the foundations of sound psychological skills
and attitudes through positive coaching the odds are good
they will have fun and enjoy tennis. And as they age and
reach higher levels of skill and more intense competition,
these principles will only increase in significance toward
competitive mental toughness.*
1. Knight, C., Harwood, C., and Gould, D. ed. 2018. Sport Psychology
for Young Athletes. Routledge, London-New York
2. Psychlopaedia. Australian Psychological Society, 2016. “Why
mental toughness is the secret to success at the Olympics.”
Accessed; 07/24/2018 https://psychlopaedia.org/work-and-
performance/mental-toughness-secret-success-olympics/
3. Weinberg, R. and Gould, D. 2015 6th ed. Foundations of Sport and
Exercise Psychology. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill. P 248-249.

Ronald B. Woods, Ph.D. has been a USPTA member for over 40 years which includes serving as president of
USPTA Middle States, member of the Executive Committee, and frequent speaker at both national and division
conventions. He was honored as USPTA Coach of the Year in 1982 and as a Master Professional in 1984. Ron is the
husband of Kathy Woods, who is now the director of tennis at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida.
He is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa in exercise science and human performance.

E. Paul Roetert, Ph.D., most recently served as the CEO of the Society of Health and Physical Educators - SHAPE
America. Prior to that, he was the managing director of USTA Player Development. Roetert has published
extensively in the fields of coaching education and sport science, including five books, more than 25 book
chapters, and well over 100 articles. Currently, he is an educational consultant focused on coaching education
and physical literacy. He is also an adjunct professor in the College of Health and Human Performance at the
University of Florida.

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 43

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 43 9/20/2018 10:20:51 AM

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 inside coaching

The Magic of the Grip Jump

by Rod Heckelman, USPTA Professional

T his quick maneuver has snuck under the radar as being the
newest and most clever way to vary a player’s spin on the
ball. Many seasoned senior players have used this grip jump for
years, but now you’re seeing this tricky maneuver being used by
many of the young big hitters. It is especially effective with those seniors, not so true with spin. What makes learning new spin
using a western grip. In an instant, they can transition from
their regular forehand grip to a continental grip, allowing them
to create a backspin shot that can be used for everything from
a slice approach shot to a drop shot, or even a wide defensive
forehand serve return. What makes this move so unique, is not
just the quickness of
the execution, but
being able to change
the grip without the
help of the other
hand. To pull this
off, a player will use
the momentum of
taking the racquet
back along with a
loose grip to jump
into a continental
grip. This baton like
To pull off a grip jump, use the momentum of taking the racquet back along with a loose
movement takes grip to jump into a continental grip.
a while to master,
but once achieved, produces one of the most deceptive and well
disguised shots in the game. Note the sequence of the pictures :
This experienced move demonstrates the importance of
mastering all the possible grips a player can use during a match.
In fact, go back as far as you can in the history of coaching tennis,
and it’s a sure bet that the very first thing any student was taught come to grips with what works best for each player they are
was the proper grip to use for each stroke. There’s a very good
reason for this. How a player grips their racquet will have more
impact on their stroke mechanics than any other factor they will is what a good coach hopes to develop in their students, new
be taught. The grip essentially becomes just like any other joint
of your body…your knee, elbow, or shoulder, and as a result has a
major influence on your stroke mechanics. If, for instance, your
knee was put together differently, it would completely impact
the way you walk, sit, or generally move. For this reason, most
players master their grips early on, but the jump grip is a whole
new animal fitting right into modern day tennis.
Today’s game, at all levels, seems driven by either increased
power or spin. Power seems to have a finite limit, especially for
so impactful is that it opens the door to a more diverse style of
playing. This especially impacts two groups of tennis players;
the new modern-day big hitter that favors more western
grips for topspin shots, and a tremendous number of senior
players with a style of play that favors old standard eastern
grips, common
for performing
classic strokes. The
big hitters have
fallen in love with
the grip jump by
virtue of deception
and variety. For
the older, more
established players,
who are married
to their traditional
grips, the grip jump
is only a minor
adjustment. This
move can be taught with a little patience and practice and the
result accommodates a whole new diverse style of play, that
will open the door to physically achievable shots than can
enhance their tactics.
So essentially, no pun intended, the coach will have to
developing. So often we find, open one door and discover
several more, this is the wonderful expansion of learning. This
opportunities to be a better player, not so much by doing what
they do better, but by expanding their game and broadening
their ability to have new tools, both offensively and defensively,
so they can reach higher levels. The grip jump may end up being
the gateway to this learning behavior.*

Rod Heckelman’s career started in 1966 when he began his five-year role as a teacher at John Gardiner’s Tennis
Ranch in Carmel Valley, California. In 1976, he made his way back California, where he became general manager/
tennis director at the Mt. Tam Racquet Club in Larkspur. In 2010 he was awarded “Manager of the Year” for the
USPTA NorCal Division and later announced as the “Manager of the Year” at the USPTA World Conference. He
recently came out with two more instructional books, Playing Into the Sunset, and 250 Ways to Play Tennis.

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 45

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 45 9/20/2018 10:20:52 AM

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 beyond the court

3 Simple Tactics to Help Your Players Get More Aggressive And

More Consistent
by Peter C. Scales, Ph.D., USPTA Professional

A t the club or high school level, most players can get

more aggressive, or more consistent, but not both. This
is often because players at this level tend to confuse being
they miss those targets, the ball will still have a good chance
of landing in and it will look like they’ve aimed for the line! So
tell your players to go for the lanes and not the lines!
more “aggressive” with hitting “harder,” which to them
usually means muscling the ball instead of swinging faster
and looser. In my lessons, I teach the following simple tactics
that help our JV and Varsity players get more aggressive
and more consistent at the same time, without them trying
to hit “harder.” These tactics can work for most of your
intermediate to advanced players too.

#1 Aim for big, safe targets. Don’t

go for lines, Go for “lanes.”
I like what Jeff Salzenstein of TennisEvolution.com
recommends: Train your players by using lanes as targets,
not cones or pyramids of balls. Lanes are like runways at the
airport. They’re big, wide, long targets, not pinpoint precision
ones. Cones are ok as targets for variety, and add fun by giving
players extra points if they knock one down during a drill Aggressive consistency is using your best shot, your go-to shot more.

game. But they are too small a target on a regular basis for all
but the most advanced players.
Instead, use flat court markers or arrange cones to create
lanes or big boxes that are several feet wide and long where
you want them to aim. For groundstroke targets, set up a lane
or a box from a few feet behind the service line to a few feet
from the baseline, and a few feet inside the sideline. When
Use court makers to create lanes where you want your student to aim.
#2
Use your go-to shot as
often as you can.
I like to ask players, what is the baseline shot you’d do for a
million dollars? One ball. One chance at a million dollars.
What shot are you going to rely on? Most players will say,
my forehand. So guess what? Part of being more aggressive
but with consistency is using your best shot, your go-to shot,
more. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are great examples of
doing this. Their backhands are world-class excellent, but
they are still trying to hit as many forehands as they can.
Club and high school level players don’t usually do this as
systematically, but they can learn to. This means—for most
of us, whose forehands are better than our backhands—run
around the BH to hit forehands, often inside out ones (I/O).
The most important aspect of using this tactic is to help
players recognize when to run around the BH and when
not to.
Use a flat court marker to divide the ad side of the baseline
into halves, and have the player ONLY hit an I/O FH on the
1/2 closest to the center hash mark, so they don’t leave so
much court wide open to their opponent. Feed them a variety
of balls so they have to decide quickly: Is it a definite FH,
definite BH, or in the zone where I have a choice, where I can
do an I/O? Then play points with them where you’re doing

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 47

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 47 9/20/2018 10:20:55 AM

 beyond the court
the same thing, giving them a variety of balls right in that grey
area, the zone of choice. Their job is to develop the mindset
that 3/4 of the baseline is their FH territory, and the muscle I
H
memory through many repetitions to make the I/O move an
instinctive habit. This can work in the ad court for doubles
too (or the deuce for lefties); where, if the ball is coming slow
enough and their footwork is fast enough, they can train
themselves to use their FHs everywhere up to the doubles

I
alley. The key is, in singles, if the ball goes to the far left 1/2 of
the ad baseline, you hit your BH. Period. Always. No thinking
about it. The key is training their minds and muscles to divide
the baseline into 3/4 FH and 1/4 BH.

#3 Use pre-set plays like Serve +1 and Return

+1 to gain control within the 1st 4 shots.
ATP and WTA stats guru Craig O’Shannessy’s detailed
analysis shows that at the pro level, at least 70 percent of
singles points end in an average of four strokes—a serve, a
return, and one more from each player. Not much different

10
in doubles. Most club and high school players have far less
consistency, so their points can be even shorter, on average.
So getting your players really clear about what to hit after
their serve or return is crucial.
For singles, I have them make the +1 (the next shot after the
serve or the return) deep and down the middle. In practice,
we hit that no matter what has happened with the serve or
return. Then we play out the point. (In doubles, we practice
the +1 being cross-court mostly, but also throw in lob over the
net person and drive at the net person’s inside hip.)
For most players, that +1 should be a FH if they can. Now Getting your players really clear about what to hit after their serve
they’re using their weapon, hitting over the lowest part of the or return is crucial.
net into the very middle of the court. It forces the opponent Have your players serve or return, and then after they
to pick a side to hit on (FH or BH), and making decisions of execute the Serve or Return + 1 shot, you play out the point,
any kind like that will slow them down. With the pre-set +1, with them always looking to hit that FH (see step #2 above),
your player isn’t making a choice now, but their opponent but abiding by the inside out FH rules and aiming for big, safe
is. Even a fraction of a second lost to thinking can make a big targets (step #1). Then talk with them about their tactics,
difference in their balance and point of contact, which raises shot selection, positioning, etc. Having the +1 play focus will
the odds of them making an error. And it takes away their own sharpen their awareness of how to construct points.
angles to play, making it more likely that they’ll hit at best a So, to help your players be more aggressive AND be more
neutral rally ball back to your player. On average, that should consistent at the same time, train them to: aim for big targets,
set your player up for an easier next shot. In the apt phrase hit their go-to shot more often, and use the pre-set Serve
from EssentialTennis.com’s Ian Westermann, it’s a way of and Return + 1 plays, especially going down the middle of the
“creating chaos.” My goal is to help players create chaos court. Then watch their confidence and point construction
without them being chaotic! take off!*
Th
Dr. Peter C. Scales, known as Coach Pete to his players, is a developmental psychologist and USPTA
co
Professional who is the JV boys and girls tennis coach at Parkway South High in Manchester, Missouri. He led
on
the 2017 and 2018 boys’ JV teams to back-to-back undefeated seasons, a feat never accomplished by any tennis
team in the school’s 42-year history. A previous contributor to ADDvantage, Coach Pete’s book, Mental and
Emotional Training for Tennis: Compete-Learn-Honor, will be published by Coaches Choice.

48 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — Nov/Dec 2018

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 48 9/20/2018 10:20:59 AM

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 Buddy Up Tennis
How to Fuel Your Passion: Become a Buddy Up Tennis Coach!
by Beth Gibson, President of Buddy Up Tennis
P assion and enthusiasm are two necessary ingredients for
a successful and sustainable tennis program. There is no
better example of this than the athletes, coaches, and buddy
volunteers at Buddy Up Tennis. Buddy Up Tennis is constantly
looking for high-energy coaches with the same passion and
enthusiasm to help it continue to grow.
Buddy Up Tennis is an adaptive tennis and fitness program
for individuals with Down syndrome. Buddy Up Tennis was
born 10 years ago in Columbus, Ohio as a result of the passion
and enthusiasm of one tennis pro, one volunteer, and a three-
year old boy, Will Gibson, who has Down syndrome and wanted
to play tennis like his big brother. What started as an informal
tennis lesson for Will has now grown into Buddy Up Tennis,
a nationwide non-profit organization that serves over 550
athletes with Down syndrome with the help of 75 coaches and
750 buddy volunteers in ten states and 21 cities.
The key ingredients that have made Buddy Up
Tennis such a success include:
Buddy Up Tennis is on-going rather than a one-time event.
• Weekly clinics are held on Saturdays, typically August
through May, depending on location, weather, and court
availability.
• Each clinic is 90 minutes; 30 minute fitness and 60
minute tennis.
The curriculum consists of seven star levels of progression.
• Athletes range in age from five to adulthood, with our
oldest athlete approaching 50-years-old!
• Athletes are divided by age and ability.
• Different types of tennis balls (i.e., foam, red, orange,
green dot, and yellow) are incorporated into each level of
progression.
Our Travel and Training Team of coaches leads the launch of
a new clinic location with a hands-on Boot Camp (training).
• Our curriculum and training videos shared at each launch.
• The Buddy Up Tennis program director maintains an open
line of communication with coaches and provides ongoing
support.
• Our Travel and Training Team periodically returns to each
location for continued assistance and training to support
ongoing growth
Community partnerships are needed for support.
• Buddy Up Tennis partners with local Down syndrome
and other organizations to identify potential athletes and
secure funding for coach, court, and equipment fees.
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ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 50
Buddy Up Tennis partners with local Down syndrome and other
organizations to identify potential athletes and secure funding
for coach, court, and equipment fees.
A team of three coaches is needed to start a new location
• Coaches commit to and lead the program and clinics with
the help of a local coordinator.
The curriculum consists of seven star levels of progression.
• Buddies must be at least 14-years-old and, although tennis
experience is helpful, it is not a requirement.
• Buddies are expected to provide direct feedback
and guidance, as well as be extremely energetic and
enthusiastic.
There is an incredible demand for structured tennis and
fitness programs for individuals with Down syndrome, and
the Buddy Up Tennis athletes, coaches, and buddy volunteers
are extremely passionate about the program. This is what
has made Buddy Up Tennis such a success and enables it to
continue to grow at a rapid pace.
Buddy Up Tennis has developed a turnkey program to create
new locations, but it requires enthusiastic coaches throughout
the United States.
If you want to fuel your passion and enthusiasm, work with
incredible athletes, and help create a new Buddy Up Tennis
location, or would like more information about participating at
an existing Buddy Up Tennis location, please visit our website
at www.BuddyUpTennis.com or contact us at:
Beth Gibson, 614-579-8808, Beth@BuddyUpTennis.com
About Beth Gibson
Beth Gibson is the volunteer leader and visionary of Buddy
Up Tennis, Inc. since it was formed over 10 years ago with the
support of her husband, Rick, and sons, Keegan (20) and Will
(13). The Gibson family resides in New Albany, Ohio and is
committed to transforming the lives of everyone involved in
Buddy Up Tennis and the Down syndrome communities.
9/20/2018 10:21:03 AM
 TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE
2018 Tennis teachers conference

From Aug. 24 – 27, tennis-teaching professionals and

coaches gathered in New York City at the Grand Hyatt New
York for the 2018 Tennis Teachers Conference.
Throughout the week, attendees had the opportunity
to network with colleagues and learn from more than 30
renowned speakers such as Kraig Kann, Allistair McCaw,
the Nike Coaches Panel featuring Paul Annacone and
Nike Coaches Panel with Paul Annacone & Darren Cahill
Darren Cahill, and more.

Darren Cahill Kraig Kann

Allistair McCaw Paul Annacone

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 51

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 TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE
2018 Tennis teachers conference

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 TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE
2018 Tennis teachers conference

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 53

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 TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE
USPTA Award Winners
Master Professional Trish Faulkner (Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida) earned the Master Professional title which is the
highest, most esteemed category in the Association. Members
must hold USPTA’s highest certification rating (Elite
Professional) for more than 10 years before becoming eligible
for the Master Professional designation. Then each must
fulfill a broad spectrum of requirements, including making
significant achievements in areas such as tennis teaching and
coaching, business, education and volunteer work.
Faulkner is currently Tennis Professional Emeritus at
BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
She has served as tournament chairperson for the 2014
ITF Senior World Championships in Palm Beach County.
Previously, she worked as head tour director and marketing
director for the WTA, and formed a sports marketing and
special event corporation operating four of the Virginia Slims
Women’s Professional Tour events.
An author, she wrote The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tennis
and produced a teaching manual for the ITF for the Middle
East with an accompanying slide show. As a player, she won
multiple titles on the Women’s Tour, including the British
Indoor Doubles and Mixed Doubles. She has scored many
victories as a high level senior player and was ranked No. 1 in
three senior age divisions – 50s, 55s and 60s – and has won
36 U.S.A. national senior titles. Faulkner is an ITF World
Singles Champion and a member of the US team winning four
ITF World Team Championships.

USPTA Lessons for Life Award USPTA Diversity Award

Brett Hall (Salem, Oregon) Angelica Flores LaGrange
and Matthew Hanlin (Palmhurst, Texas)
(McKinney, Texas) were both and Ryan Segelke
recipients of the USPTA (Denver) were named
Lessons for Life Award. Hall the recipients of the
hosted The New Mexico USPTA Diversity Award.
Texas Shootout Team Tennis LaGrange introduced
Tournament from 2013-2017, tennis to residents
which was a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The of Rio Grande Valley, Texas, in which the population is
event raised over $60,000 in five years with $17,000 being raised in predominately Hispanic and also introduced tennis to the
2017. elementary schools of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD and
Hanlin created the Rally for Houston event after the Sharyland ISD, and coordinated play days in conjunction
devastation of Hurricane Harvey, to help several families in the with USTA.
flood zone that might also be involved in tennis. In two short Segelke is the business development director for the HAT
weeks he created, organized, and executed an amazing evening Fund in Denver, Colorado and the CEO of High Altitude
of tennis for the local community. The event raised $10,000 for Tennis. High Altitude Tennis partners with The HAT Fund to
Houston families, which was given to the USTA to distribute host summer camps, after-school programming, and provide
among the victims in the Houston area. tennis instruction to a partner program in Kampala, Uganda.

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 TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE
USPTA Award Winners
High School Coach of the Year Award
Todd Rubinstein (Miami,) was named High
School Coach of the Year for his efforts in
leading the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at
Alonzo & Tracy Mourning High School in
Miami to regionals. He led the boys’ team
to a 16-4 overall record, including a third
consecutive district championship and led the
girls’ team to a 14-6 overall record, including
a third consecutive district finalist and a doubles state semi-
finalist showing during the 2017 tennis season.
Top Education Credit Earner for 2017
Doug Eng (Medford, Massachusetts) was
named the Top Education Credit Earner
for 2017 after earning 147 education credits
as part of the USPTA Career Development
Program. He has taught tennis for 30 years,
including 20 as a college coach. He has
taught or coached tennis and academics at
various universities including Tufts, Harvard and MIT.
USTA/USPTA Community Service Award
Tim Blenkiron (Las Vegas, ) was recognized
as the USTA/USPTA Community Service
Award Winner for his contributions to the
USPTA, USTA, and the tennis community. The
Community Service Award is a cooperative
award presented annually by the United States
Tennis Association as part of the USPTA’s
awards program. The award recognizes
exceptional community service through the game of tennis.
ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 55
Alex Gordon Professional of the Year
Mark Faber (Toledo, Ohio) received the Alex
Gordon Professional of the Year Award. Faber
has been a USPTA member for 25 years, is the
director of tennis at Twos Athletic Club in Toledo,
Ohio and is currently a vice president on the
USPTA national board of directors. He has been a
no-cut high school coach for 24 years, has spoken
at USTA, USPTA and high school divisional and
national education events and is involved locally, sectionally,
divisionally and nationally on committees and boards.
President’s Paul Waldman Award
Yue Wang (Beijing) was honored with the
President’s Paul Waldman Award, making
him the 12th recipient of this award. This
award is given by the USPTA President
for lifetime achievement as a member of
the association. Wang was instrumental in
creating the USPTA China Division, which
currently boasts 328 USPTA professionals in good standing.
George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award
Ron Woods (Corpus Christi, Texas) received the
George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award.
Woods has been a member for 51 years along
with being on the USPTA national board of
directors for 13 years serving as president from
2005 - 2007. He was the director of tennis at
the Corpus Christi Country Club from 1970 to
2001, and then went on to serve as the executive
director for the USPTA Texas Division until 2008.
Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 55
9/20/2018 10:22:25 AM
 TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE
USPTA Award Winners
Large Facility Manager of the Year Award
Michael Mahoney (Chicago) received the
Large Facility Manager of the Year Award.
The Large Facility Manager of the Year
award is awarded to a general manager of
a country club, commercial tennis facility,
public tennis center, resort or similar
facility that has more than 10 tennis courts
and has a community size above 500,000.
Mahoney has been a part of the legacy that is Midtown
Athletic Clubs for nearly 40 years. Serving as both senior
vice president for the company and the general manager of
the flagship Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago, Mahoney
oversees the day-to-day business management at the Chicago
location.
USPTA U30 Award
Rebekah Noll (Lynchburg, Virginia) received
the USPTA U30 Award which honors a
USPTA professional under the age of 30.
Noll become a director of tennis at the age
of 23 and has been helping to grow the sport
of tennis and make the city of Lynchburg,
Virginia a more active area for tennis players
to compete.
USPTA Industry Excellence Award
Dave Howell (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
received the Industry Excellence Award for
advancing the game of tennis throughout
his community. With this award, the USPTA
honors those professionals that develop
unique special events, programs, equipment,
services or an idea to promote tennis and
thereby increase player participation in the
sport. Howell is the creator of the Universal Tennis Rating.
Tester of the Year Award
Patricio Misitrano (Wilton, Connecticut)
received the Tester of the Year Award in
recognition for his efforts in advancing
USPTA certification opportunities
throughout the community. Misitrano
hosted three tests that included 31 new
applicants and 13 upgrades helping increase
the number of new applicants tested in the
New England Division by 91 percent.
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ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 56
Small Facility Manager of the Year Award
Jerod Becton (Lubbock, Texas) was named the
Small Facility Manager of the Year. The USPTA
Small Facility Manager of the Year Award is
awarded to a general manager of a country club,
commercial tennis facility, public tennis center,
resort or similar facility that has fewer than
10 tennis courts and a community size under
500,000. Becton is the general manager of the
Lubbock Country Club, a member-owned country club with an
18-hole golf course, pool, and eight tennis courts that boasts 985
members. He graduated from Texas Tech University and started
his career in the private club industry and worked for Club Corp
for 18 years before working for Arnold Palmer Golf Management
for six years.
Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year Award
Gregory Prudhomme (Glendale, Arizona) was
named the Steve Wilkinson College Coach
of the Year for his efforts as the head mens’
and womens’ tennis coach at Grand Canyon
University. He led the men’s team to 15-10
record while the girls posted a 11-6 record and
captured the conference championship for
the second time in three years.
Tim Gullkison Touring Coach of the Year Award
Carlos Di Laura (Austin) received the Tim
Gullkison Touring Coach of the Year award
which recognizes a member that currently
coaches a playing professional on the ATP
World Tour or the WTA Tour and/or touring
juniors and/or adult teams. Di Laura was the
coach of Nevin Arimilli, who will play for the
University of Texas at Austin in the fall. He also
has coached ATP World Tour players such as Luis Horna, Ivan
Miranda, and Rodolfo Rake.
USPTA Star Award
Lisa Pugliese (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)
was named the USPTA Star Award of
recipient for her work with her company,
Love Serving Autism. For 14 years, she has
specialized in the evaluation and treatment
of children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders. Her organization has provided
tennis classes to 250 children and adults
with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
9/20/2018 10:22:35 AM
 Love serving autism
10 Reasons to Play Tennis For Individuals with Autism
by Lisa Pugliese, 2018 USPTA Star Awardee, Love Serving Autism, Founder
T ennis is a social sport because an
individual must play against an
opponent in singles competition and
share a team with a partner for doubles.
Many of our program participants would
prefer to play tennis alone but they are
taught the rules and format, for both
at the beginning of each program. The
more advanced players who learn to rally
against an opponent quickly learn to
enjoy the repetitive engagement and are
less anxious each time they compete with
others in the sport.
Receptive and expressive language skills
are demonstrated through requesting
and commenting while playing the sport.
For individuals on the autism spectrum
who are non-verbal, the use of visuals and
communication technology are essential
components for communication success.
Approximately 30 percent of our tennis
program participants are non-verbal and
require a communication system to assist
with expressing their wants and needs. For
example, one of the tennis participants
brings her classroom iPad to an after-
school tennis program. She opens the
ProLoquo app and initiates communication
and answers staff questions by selecting
core vocabulary. When she needs a water
break, this student selects “water” on her
iPad, takes a water break for a few minutes,
then returns to the class.
ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 57
Tennis develops discipline for routines,
which is typically a very strong trait for
individuals with ASD. As a collegiate and
professional player myself, I developed a
strict routine before each tennis match to
physically and mentally prepare for my
Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 57
competition. The routine also decreased
anxiety and increased my confidence
before tournaments. Tennis provides a
therapeutic outlet to reduce stress. If a
program participant displays frustration
or anxiety, we often teach the child or adult
to take deep breaths or to run a few laps
around the tennis court for self-regulation.
Once the participant is ready again to
participate in the tennis program, he/she is
invited to join the group.
Tennis is a sport full of life’s lessons.
It teaches individuals with ASD about
valuable life skills. A few life skills we
teach during the tennis program include
integrity, sportsmanship, leadership,
responsibility, perseverance and
confidence. We teach one life skill per
week for after-school and community-
based tennis programs. The goal is for the
tennis program participants to learn new
life skills and for these skills to generalize
into the home, school and community
environments which is essential for
functional independence and overall
well-being.
I truly encourage children and adults
with autism to engage in the sport of tennis
for it’s life-long therapeutic benefits, both
on and off the tennis court. For additional
information about the benefits of tennis
for individuals with autism, please contact:
Lisa@loveservingautism.org
9/20/2018 10:22:37 AM
 TENNIS THANKS THE TROOPS

Learn from the Pros

Tennis Thanks the Troops Events Support Military Families
by Amanda Folks, Program Manager - ThanksUSA

O n tennis courts across the country, USPTA tennis

professionals are uniting by honoring military families.
ThanksUSA’s Tennis Thanks the Troops (TTTT) program is
a charitable beneficiary of events hosted at clubs and public
facilities across many USPTA divisions. Featuring singles and
doubles matches, along with many parent/child matchups,
fun-filled competition and social time are paramount. It is the
perfect way to enjoy a military holiday or special weekend with
family and friends.
Founded by two young sisters Rachel and Kelsi Okun,
ThanksUSA has been giving the gift of education to military
families in need since 2006. Since then, the organization has
awarded over 4,200 scholarships, a total of more than 13 million
dollars. ThanksUSA also hosts a weekly adaptive tennis clinic in
Washington, DC for disabled veterans. Taught by a wheelchair
certified instructor, the clinic brings together veterans of
different ages, eras and skill levels who have found a love of
the game and camaraderie on the court that reflects the best of
military culture.
Tennis Thanks the Troops unites the love of the game with
the honor of giving back to our service members and their
families. It is the perfect double play that allows tennis clubs
and their members the opportunity to make a difference
through a tax-deductible donation to an organization that they
know and trust. As Joni Hannah, USPTA Pro at Westwood
Country Club in Virginia shared following her fifth annual
TTTT Memorial Day event, “My members really like the fact
that 90 percent of the funds raised will actually be used by
ThanksUSA to provide scholarship funding.”
USPTA Missouri Valley Division hosted a Tennis Thanks the
Troops event at Milburn Country Club.
USPTA’s Rhett Russell, director of tennis at Orange Beach Tennis
Center with his students.
This is not the first time tennis professionals and veterans
have joined forces on and off the court to honor military
families, and it won’t be the last. Many of these USPTA
sponsored events are annual community traditions. USPTA Pro
Dave Brown of Florida said, “We are proud of USPTA’s support
for ThanksUSA and we here at Plantation Bay look forward
to hosting our 5th annual fundraiser again next year!” It’s a
tradition that everyone can get on board with.” USPTA Pro,
Rhett Russell, City of Orange Beach Tennis Center in Alabama
said it perfectly, “Tennis Thanks the Troops is a very special
fundraiser in which we can raise funds for military family
scholarships. Our men and women in uniform who put their
lives on the line everyday deserve financial assistance. We want
to be a ‘light of hope’ for some of these military families.”
This light of hope is spreading nationwide with the help of
tennis professionals and enthusiasts. Registering your club
as a Tennis Thanks the Troops host facility is simple and
rewarding. By donating a lesson, hosting a clinic, or sponsoring
a tournament or Pro-Am, you are thanking our military families
in a tangible way. Helen Wilson, USPTA Missouri Valley shared
her reason for giving back, “It is very rewarding to use our
platform as tennis professionals to provide support to our
military families that sacrifice for us every day. I encourage
other USPTA Pros to take two hours of your day to make a
difference in the lives of our military families.”
Please consider a Tennis Thanks the Troops event at your
club or facility!

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 Member News

USPTA Member News

Paulo Barros was hired as the new director Andrew Cobb was named the new head
of tennis at Bonita National Golf & Country women’s tennis coach at SMSU. He heads
Club in Bonita Springs, Florida. As a to SMSU following three seasons as the
graduate of Hampton University with a head men’s and women’s tennis coach
degree in Business Management and a at NAIA Montreat College in Montreat,
Masters in Business Administration, he North Carolina. During just the second
brings many years of experience managing season of his tenure at Montreat,
adults, juniors and club programs, and Cobb helped lead both the men’s and
coaching competitive and recreational players. He was women’s team to their best record in more than a
ranked #5 in Boys 18s in Brazil before playing NCAA Division decade. He coached a pair of women’s players named to
I tennis at Hampton University. As a college player, he won the conference All-Freshman team and had numerous
three conference titles, MEAC All-Conference Team Player, student-athletes named to the All-Academic squad
and All Academic Honors Award in 2001. during his three seasons.

Ty Braswell was named USPTA Paul Kostin, who has coached tennis at VCU
Professional of the Year for Florida Region for almost 30 years, will become the Rams’
8. He has been the director of tennis at director of tennis. He has been VCU’s men’s
Laurel Oak Country Club since June of tennis coach since 1991 and women’s tennis
2005. Before coming to Laurel Oak, he coach since 2002. In his new position, he
was the Asst. Men’s Tennis Coach at FSU. will oversee both teams while continuing to
During his time there, he was named the coach the women’s team. He has compiled a
2003 Regional ITA Asst. Coach of the 565-202 record with 22 NCAA appearances
Year and coached three-time ACC Player of the Year, Mat and 19 conference titles. VCU is coming off a second straight
Cloer. He and Mike Wilson launched the Start to Finish Atlantic 10 men’s title. He has a 321-111 record with the
Tennis Program at Laurel Oak in April of this year. Ty and Rams’ women’s team, with 15 NCAA appearances and nine
his wife Anna have four children, Micah, Jonah, Jeremiah, conference titles. The women’s team also won an A-10 title
and Rebekah. this past spring, its fifth in six years.

Brock Orlowski has been named the head Gary Trost was featured in the Daily
coach of the Indiana Tech men’s and Liberal article “Gary Trost, South Dubbo
women’s tennis programs. He becomes High School student, leads United States
the fourth head coach for both teams since Professional Tennis Association.” Trost
the program was restarted in 2006. He was sponsored by Dubbo RSL as a teenager
comes to Tech after a two-year stint at to travel to the United States as part of the
Huntington University where he was an Australian Combined High Schools Tennis
assistant coach for the women’s team and a Team, playing the best and brightest stars
five-year run as the head coach of the Blackhawk Christian across the USA. Trost is the director of tennis and athletics at
School boys and girls tennis teams. the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE ADDvantage is published monthly by the USPTA
Editor.............................................................................John Cornell The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are
President.....................................................................Gary Trost those of the authors and not necessarily those
Managing Editor ................................................... DeVonte’ Martin
First Vice President................................................Feisal Hassan of ADDvantage or the United States Professional
Layout/Design........................................................... Gustavo Reyes
Vice Presidents................Cari Buck, Mark Faber, Trish Faulkner Tennis Association.
Bill Mountford, Richard Slivocka Editorial Assistance..............................Risa Epstein, Ashley Walker,
Ellen Weatherford
Immediate Past President...........................................Chuck Gill Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
Circulation................................................................ Trevor Trudelle
CEO.........................................................................John Embree Association, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved.
USPTA World Headquarters Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not
Legal Counsel......................................................George Parnell 11961 Performance Dr.
Orlando, FL 32827 permitted without written permission from USPTA.

Nov/Dec 2018 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 59

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 59 9/20/2018 10:22:42 AM

 USPTA CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Exams, Upgrades & PTCA Wheelchair Certification
4 Credits for PTCA I Segment Exams,
Upgrades & PTCA
Nov. 2 ....................... Saratoga Springs, NY
Nov. 2 – 3 ..................................Azusa, CA
Nov. 2 – 3 .................................... Lehi, UT
Nov. 3 – 4 .................... Albuquerque, NM
Nov. 9..................................... Skillman, NJ
Nov. 9 – 10 ...........................Las Vegas, NV
Nov. 9 – 10 ...................... Westminster, CO
Nov. 10 ................................. Mequon, WI
Nov. 10 .........................................Rye, NH
Nov. 10 ..................................Merriam, KS
Nov. 10 – 11 .............................. Rome, GA
Nov. 11................................ Covington, LA
Nov. 12 ............................... San Diego, CA
Nov. 12 – 13 ................... San Francisco, CA
Nov. 12 – 13 ............................ Orlando, FL
Nov. 16 – 17 ......................... Charlotte, NC
Nov. 16 – 17 ........................... Houston, TX
Nov. 17 – 18 ........................Big Rapids, MI
Nov. 17 – 18 .......................... Portland, OR
Nov. 18........................... Williamsburg, VA
Nov. 24 – 25 ...........................Flushing, NY
Dec 1 – 2 ................. Huntington Beach, CA
Dec. 2 ............................... Brentwood, TN
Dec. 3 ................................... Carlsbad, CA
Dec. 7.......................................Vienna, VA
Dec. 7 – 8 ...................................Dallas, TX
Dec. 8 – 9 ........................... Boca Raton, FL
Dec. 8 – 9 ................................ Atlanta, GA
Dec. 9 ...............................Hilton Head, SC
Dec. 13 ................................Lakeville, MN
Dec. 20 ...................................Fairfield, CT
Dec. 29 – 30 ...........................Flushing, NY
Dec. 30 – 31 ...........................Burbank, CA
November 7 – 8 ......................Lafayette, IN
Platform Tennis
Nov. 17 – 18 ................ Certification Course
Wilmington, DE
Dec. 11 – 12 ................ Certification Course
Northfield, IL
Dec. 18 – 19 ................ Certification Course
Paoli, PA
Nov. 16 – 17 ............................ Atlanta, GA
Cardio Tennis
Nov 10 ....................Level 1 Training Course
Methodist University; Fayetteville, NC
Nov 10 ....................Level 1 Training Course
Sea Pines Racquet Club; Hilton Head Island,SC
2019 USPTA Division
Conference Schedule
Division Conferences - 6 Credits
January 19-21........................ NorCal Division
Stanford University; Stanford, CA
January 25-27.................... Northern Division
Lifetime Fitness & Athletics; Fridley, MN
February 16-17.......... Intermountain Division
Lifetime Fitness; Centennial, CO
February 21-23......... Missouri Valley Division
Crestview Country Club; Wichita, KS
February 21-24........................ Texas Division
Horseshoe Bay Resort; Horseshoe Bay, TX
March 2-3.........................San Diego Division
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club; La Jolla, CA
April 27-28.........Southern California Division
SeaCliff Country Club; Huntington Beach, CA
May 16-18..........................Southern Division
North Hill Country Club; Raleigh, NC
May 17-19....................... Southwest Division
La Camarilla Racquet, Swim & Fitness Club;Phoenix, AZ

Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days May 30-June 2....................... Florida Division
prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an PGA National; Palm Beach Gardens
exam, upgrade. PTCA I is included in the two day
exam. Exam cancellations must be received no lat-
May 31- June 1......Pacific Northwest Division
er than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation
fee will be charged accordingly. TBD; Seattle, WA

Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to August 15-16...................... Midwest Division
cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified Western Southern Open; Cincinnati, Ohio
members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to
cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited.
Registration for another exam will not be accepted September 24-27....USPTA World Conference

m
until cancellation fees are paid. Westgate Las Vegas; Las Vegas, NV

Admire Invite Mentor

ADMIRE Admire the reputation of the prospective member
INVITE Invite them to join our respected organization
MENTOR Mentoring for those interested in professional guidance

USPTA members are asked to recommend admirable teaching professionals in their local area or region who
are currently instructing but not USPTA certified. If the prospect decides to join, it is the referring member’s
responsibility to be sure that the applicant includes his or her name on the application in the field labeled
“Please provide the name of the person who recommended USPTA membership to you.”

New Member Referral Incentives & Eligibility:

•$50 discount on USPTA annual dues up to $300. After that – a $50 credit for the USPTA Pro Tennis Shop
Online education
•Only certified members in good standing will be eligible and they may only refer first-time potential members. Watch webinars, seminars, On Court with USPTA
episodes, specialty courses and much more on Ten-
For more information, contact the membership department at membership@uspta.org nisResources.com to earn your education credits.

60 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — Nov/Dec 2018

ADDvantageNov-Dec2018GUS.indd 60 9/20/2018 10:22:43 AM

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