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Maria Sharapovajoins HEAD team!

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ADDvantage magazine editorial officesUSPTA World Headquarters

3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite OneHouston, TX 77042

Phone – 713-978-7782800-USPTA-4U

Fax – 713-358-7794e-mail – [email protected]

Editor Shawna Riley Managing editor Kimberly Forrester Circulation Kathy Buchanan Advertising John Dettor

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA.

Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvantage/February 2011 1

volume 35 • issue 2

departments

2 Executive Committee

3 Vice president’s message

5 Cardio Tennis

9 USPTA mailbox

10 Classifieds

13 Pro to pro

22 Career development

24 Industry action

the total professional – enhancing your career

On the cover – The news is out! Maria Sharapova has joined the HEAD team! Sharapova, who is not only a tennis icon but also a fashion icon, will help strengthen HEAD’s women’s team, already including Victoria Azarenka and Svetlana Kuznetsova. Sharapova racquets and accessories will be launched on the retail market this fall.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

11 Maria Sharapova combines style with performance as new HEAD player

17 HEAD launches new YouTek™ Speed Series racquets

20 USPTA Professionals raise more than $5 million for charity

20 USPTA provides grant to QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia

23 2011 USPTA Cardio Tennis Feeding Shootout – Target set-up instructions and rules

USPTA Executive Committee

Division presidents, regional vice presidents and past national presidents:

Tom Daglis President 301-340-6185

Randy Mattingley First vice president 281-358-2181

Bunny Bruning Vice president 515-285-1459

Mark Fairchilds Vice president 209-571-2582

Chuck Gill Vice president 561-624-8900, ext. 8932

Jack Groppel, Ph.D. Vice president 847-658-1077

Jim Loehr, Ed.D. Vice president 407-438-9911

Harry Gilbert Immediate past president 386-793-0084

California DivisionPierre Mareschal President626-744-1650 Mike GennetteRegional vice president805-495-0111

Eastern DivisionWarren LemPresident239-394-3144Mark SavageRegional vice president845-565-7600

Florida DivisionRichard CenterbarPresident 561-487-7070Dave RichardsonRegional vice president239-495-8100

Hawaii DivisionKen NakamaPresident808-679-3197Henry SomervilleRegional vice president808-395-3300

Intermountain DivisionKim DavisPresident719-536-0797Alden BockRegional vice president303-232-6272

Mid-Atlantic DivisionPat HanssenPresident434-295-6167John ClearyRegional vice president301-924-3450

Middle States DivisionBill SemberPresident484-888-8329Wilson PipkinRegional vice president717-898-3102

Midwest DivisionMolly Card BeckmannPresident317-582-1550, ext. 229Paul MarcumRegional vice president248-626-9880, ext. 4006

Missouri Valley DivisionKendell HalePresident816-436-1608Angela KoumarisRegional vice president405-848-2994

New England DivisionJacques FaulisePresident401-952-7000Christopher StevensRegional vice president603-610-0183

Northern DivisionBrian McCoyPresident763-656-1590Dilcia PedersonRegional vice president612-824-6099

Northern California DivisionJohn SharpePresident925-283-5448An drea BarnesRegional vice president650-736-7272

Pacific Northwest DivisionTBDPresidentHunter LipscombRegional vice president541-753-1043

San Diego DivisionNelson AlapiPresident858-382-6571Dophie PoisetRegional vice president858-756-4459

Southern DivisionWilliam PhillipsPresident337-849-5821Pat WhitworthRegional vice president678-482-6357

Southwest DivisionSara StableinPresident602-636-9840Vicki FosterRegional vice president602-930-8423

Texas DivisionJim SciarroPresident903-581-7788 Joe SnailumRegional vice president

Past presidentsRon Woods (2005-2007)

361-991-7501

David T. Porter, Ed.D. (2003-2005)

808-675-3755

Joseph Thompson (1999-2003)

720-470-6550

National Board of Directors:

For information, write the USPTA World Headquarters

3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite OneHouston, TX 77042

Phone 713-97-USPTA800-USPTA-4U

Fax [email protected] www.uspta.com

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Tom Daglis

First Vice Randy Mattingley President

Vice Presidents Bunny Bruning Mark Fairchilds Chuck Gill Jack Groppel Jim Loehr

Past President Harry Gilbert

WORLD HEADQUARTERS

CEO Tim Heckler

Director of Operations Rich Fanning

Administrative Director Marty Bostrom

Director of Shawna Riley Communications

Creative Services Julie Myers Director

Publications Manager/ Kim Forrester Managing Editor

Director of Poornima Rimm Public Relations

Communications Jill Phipps

Director of John Dettor Marketing

Sports Marketing Rick Bostrom Coordinator

Digital Asset Director Timothy Heckler

Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management

Video Production Joe Birkmire Director

Video Editor Nick Warwick

Video Editor/ Aisha Nelson Flash Designer

Video Editor/Videographer Chris Maale

Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development

Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator

Receptionist Erin Ortbal

Director of Dan Wilson Information Technology

Information Technology/ Scott Bucic Multimedia

Divisional Kalin Cogar Executive Administrator

Director of Kathy Buchanan Computer Service

Director of Membership Vicky Tristan and Certification

Membership/ Sylvia Ortiz Certification Coordinator

Membership/ Melony DeLoach Insurance Coordinator

Director of Finance Kathy Ladner

Payroll/Benefits Renée Heckler

Controller Ellen Weatherford

Merchandise/ Shelina Harris Accounting Assistant

Legal CounselAttorney-at-law Paul Waldman

ADDvantage/February 2011 3 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Vice president’s message

Jack Groppel, Ph.D.

At the April 2010 Executive Committee meeting in Houston, a discussion centered around this question: What one thing

could we, as USPTA members, do that wouldn’t require a major investment of time, energy or money, yet would benefit our current members and generate new members? In fact, it became a mantra that Mark Savage (Eastern Division) led, and it was “Let’s do one thing!” That one thing was a Tennis Across America clinic, and it was unanimously an-nounced that every Executive Com-mittee member would run at least one clinic in his or her club or community. We did have an increase in Tennis Across America clinics in 2010, but now the calling for us to step up is much greater. You’ve seen me write about it before: Our country (and the world for that matter) is in a crisis of inactivity, obesity and diabetes. Because activity is the No. 1 way to stop the epidemic and begin changing all the trends, USPTA has been engaged as a strategic partner with numerous national govern-ing bodies and initiatives. For example, USPTA is aligned with Exercise is Medicine, the global initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine; with IHRSA and its Campaign for a Healthier America; with Live Your Life Well, the national initiative of Mental Health America; with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a CEO-led organization committed to stopping the obesity crisis; and with the National Physical Activity Plan. USPTA is being looked to as a leader! That being said, you are being looked to as a leader in your com-munity! In his editorial last month, USPTA CEO Tim Heckler addressed the one-clinic challenge for 2011. I want to echo his words, and challenge all of us to simply conduct one clinic in the name of Tennis Across America. At last year’s World Conference, a meeting was held in which every USPTA division was represented, and a commitment was made to get out and make a difference in 2011. The divisional leaders asked for a tool kit to help in the develop-ment, promotion, and conduct of a Tennis Across America program. Therefore, we have organized

some resources to help you accomplish the task at hand.

This convenient collection of tools includes:• Guidelines/testimonials/incentivestolightafire

under all of us, understanding that we can make a difference

• Argumentstoanyonenotrunninga Tennis Across America program

• Guidetocreatingyourlessonplan

• Samplepressrelease

• Samplecalendarlisting

• SamplePSAs

• One-pager outlining our keynationalpartnershipswithsteps/guidelines on how to build local partnerships

• Avideothatdetailsallthesciencesupporting Tennis – for the health of it!, and why all these alliances have been created.

The TAA/Tennis – for the health of it! tool kit will be available online Feb. 1.

As you can see, your national staff has answered the call to help you, in every way possible, to be successful in running your Tennis Across America campaign. This is a time when we, as USPTA professionals, can step up and make a monstrous difference in the war on inactivity and obesity. At the end of the day, it’s up to us! My question to you is this: Will you answer the call? There is no doubt that your community needs help in fighting this campaign. There is no doubt that your nation needs you, in your community, to help fight the good fight. For me, there is little argument that can be made to not run a Tennis Across America program. I hope you will make use of the tools; I hope you will get started in planning your event; and I hope you will get your event registered as soon as possible. Let’s do this together, to support our current membership and build our businesses, to let our management know that we want to, and can, make a difference in this significant cause. I wish you well on this journey. USPTA is taking Tennis Across America to the fight against inactivity and obesity.

USPTA tackles inactivity with Tennis Across America™

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com4 ADDvantage/February 2011

Tips from the pros

ADDvantage/February 2011 5 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com continued next page

Cardio Tennis: Addressing questions and concerns from consumers

by Michele Krause, USPTA, national Cardio Tennis manager and speakers team director

One of the keys for success with Cardio Tennis is to educate the consumer. This should be an ongoing process as CT is a great way to attract frequent players, new players and former players.

• Itisafungroupactivitywhereplayersof all ability levels enjoy tennis together.

• Whileyouare“playing”tennisthepri-mary focus is on getting a great workout.

• It fights theobesitycrisisandoffersabetter fitness option for those not mo-tivated to go to a workout gym.

If they are educated on the format, purpose and benefits, many of their concerns will be alleviated. However, here are some of the most common concerns and how to address them.

Consumers hear the words Cardio Tennis and think “cardiac attack,” especially the senior population. Reiterate that this is a safe and healthy workout tailored to the ability and fitness level of the player. Those classes made upoflow-fitness/low-abilityplayerswillbemuchslowerthanaclasswithhigh-fitness/high-ability participants. Does that mean that the lower-level class is getting any less of a workout? Absolutely not, and the proof is in the heart rate monitor. The use of the heart rate monitor also ensures the pro can provide the safest and most effective work-out for the individual. Seniors need this class more than anyone as this is the group that needs the most help with movement.

How can I improve if there is no formal instruction? Remind them this is an in-credible way to train for tennis. In Cardio Tennis players are constantly challenged, having to respond quickly, and get tons of repetition, which all make for a better ten-nis player. The feedback heard most often

It is up to the tennis professional to educate the consumer on the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, as well as using the heart rate monitor. In regards to for-mat, the consumer needs to know there is a warm-up process that includes dynamic movement, tossing and catching skills, as well as light hitting. They need to know the cardio portion includes a lot of games and there will be a cool-down as this format provides a safe and healthy workout.

You should let them know that it involves a lot more than just fun and movement. The purposes of Cardio Tennis are to exercise in

your target heart rate zone, train for tennis, and burn calories.

That means there are many benefits to explain to consumers:

• Participants are able to achieve their effective heart rate zones with ease be-cause of the fun factor.

• Youcanburnmorecaloriesthanwithsingles or doubles and many other fit-ness options.

• CardioTennisprovidesanintervaltrain-ing scenario, which is an effective way to achieve heart health and fitness.

It is up to the tennis professional to educate the consumer on the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, as well as using the heart rate monitor.


from a Cardio Tennis consumer is, “When I play singles and doubles I now get to balls I never got to before.”

It will be too much work and maybe even painful. The greatest benefit of CT is people get into their target heart rate zone with ease because of the fun factor. Cardio Tennis fully engages both the mind and the body for the ultimate workout. The intensity level of the class forces a person to stay focused and not let the mind wander. The best sign an activity is enjoyable is when someone loses track of time or they leave wanting more; most CT participants are surprised when the 60 minutes is up. A CT session should never be painful during the class or the next day. The use of heart rate monitors will help to avoid this and, of course, stay away from doing fitness-specific activities like push-ups or lunges unless it is advanced or boot camp CT sessions.

I am a beginner; is Cardio Tennis for me? If apersonhassomehand/eyecoordination

from previous page

they can do Cardio Tennis. CT is the best entry point for a starter player as the focus is not about where or how you hit the ball. However, if a player needs a technical correction, please address it as we do not want a player to get hurt. This can be done

as serving tends to immediately slow down the pace of the class. Serving works well in the cool-down period or if you are working with higher skilled players with games. Once consumers hear they don’t have to serve they are then more amenable to trying the class.

quickly on a water break or ball pick-up. Also, be careful and screen your classes so you do not end up with one complete beginner in a group of regular players, as this will be a tough session for both you and the other participants. If you do not have segmented beginner CT classes you can also suggest the true beginner take a 30-minute private before trying CT.

I don’t like to or can’t serve; is Cardio Tennis for me? I love telling these people they are in luck because you don’t have to serve in CT. There is not much serving in a CT session

I am an advanced player; why should I do it? • Itisanidealwaytotrainfortennis.

• Itwill giveplayers anopportunity towork on lots of different shots.

• Itismorefunthanrunningfivemiles(a two-out-of-three-set match does not involve running a straight line).

• Manyprofessionalplayerstrainthisway.

If you are diligent in educating consumers about the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, you will find your sessions filling up and may even need to add more.

If you are diligent in educating consumers about the format, purpose and benefits of Cardio Tennis, you will find your sessions filling up and may even need to add more.


USPTA MailboxCEO’s message applauded

Dear Shawna Riley, Great column by Tim Heckler in the November 2010 ADDvantage magazine. Actually, it is one of the best columns that I have read in a tennis publica-tion in a long time. On TV they frequently mention “in the Open Era,” then they do not tell people what the Open Era was or when. I try to teach our high school and younger girls about Billie Jean King’s work not just for tennis but for all sports for women through Title IX. A lot of families have not had to pay for college thanks to Billie Jean, Rosie Casals, etc. I’ve always felt we are doing a disservice to our students if we don’t spend a few minutes a year talking about Borg and Wimbledon, or Ashe andAltheaGibsonbeingdevel-oped by Dr. Robert Johnson, or Don Budge beating Gottfriedvon Cramm during the era that Joe Louis beat Max Schmeling. If we think we are going to promote or sell tennis with the feed-a-few -drills-and-“pay-your-bill-on-the-way-out” approach, we are really missing the service box. If a parent is watching the U.S. Open on TV and their kid knows something about the sport that they don’t, it re-inforces their investment in the kid’s game. This is particularly true since a lot of our kids today are not from tennis families, but from families that are provid-ing a barrage of activities from which the kid can choose – things we did not compete with years ago, as Tim points out. It is what I call “the over-deprived child.” They are in so many activities that frequently they don’t do anything very well. It goes further than that. While McEnroe is an excellent

commentator, most of these people over the years since Bud Collins have been frankly, just awful. I would like to see someone, maybe Tim, on a national broadcast to give a teacher’s perspective on some of the things the players do. How can we expect to promote tennis when the commentators assume the viewers know something about tennis – especially since the boom died and then every decade or so we panic at the lack of great American players? Sandy Mayer wrote on a blog a few years ago “never has there been such a gap between what the players are doing on the tour and what the recreational players can do.” (I’m a little prejudiced becauseSandyandGene’sfathertaught me to teach. I cherish the days of the tour). A good teacher does not just hand a kid “The GreatGatsby,” “TheSunAlsoRises,”or“YouCan’tGoHomeAgain,” without teaching about Max Perkins, the editor for Scott, Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe. Why should we be any different if we are to be taken seriously as teachers? Sampras had so much respect for those before – perhaps it was part of his motivation. A lot of young football play-ers don’t know about Jerry Rice, Jim Brown or Vince Lombardi. Most of our kids don’t know squat and it is our fault.

Sincerely,John Matheny, USPTA

Englewood, Fla.

Tim, Just a note to say well done on the coaching article, very well written.

Darren PotkeyJunior competition, Southern California Tennis Association

Hi Tim,

Terrific article in this month’s (November 2010) ADDvantage magazine! Thank you for all you do for the members.

Kindest regards,Mark Dickson, USPTAPresident/directorMark

Dickson Tennis AcademySarasota, Fla.

Tim, Just wanted to extend kudos to your editorial in the current issue of ADDvantage magazine! I agreed with all your major points, learned some new things from it, and it was obviously well researched. I feel that many people don’t see that American pros have put in many hours in development of emerging for-eign pros, as you have pointed out. Being a British native, I recently was certified in the Brit-ish Tennis Coaches Association. This has given me a very good insight into what other countries are doing as far as teaching pros. What has been a surprise to me is that there are several individ-ual companies across the pond that do coaching education for their pros (as opposed to a trade association), and some of them are doing upcoming programs in the United States, including Dallas. Again, nice work on your editorial. I always look forward to them, and all of ADDvantage magazine, each month!

All the best.Jerry Winder, USPTA

Tucson, Ariz.

Dear USPTA, This is the best story on American tennis. He is right on. One more thing: Since Ameri-cans play sports involving throw-ing – baseball and football – we

have always dominated with our serves, which gave us the edge in serve/volley and also gaveus the edge on fast hard courts and fast grass courts. Ameri-can’s also love fast-paced games with lots of scoring – football, basketball – as opposed to slow-developing games like soccer. Seventy-five ball points may be heaven to players in soccer-playing countries, but is it so in our country? The USA gave away our dominance when we made the courts slower, made the balls heavier, and replaced quick-strike American tennis with grind-it-out tennis played by the rest of the world. How long will it take to replace even one third of the courts in America with clay? The European/SouthAmericanplay-ers are still laughing at how their strategy of “if we can’t beat them at their game we will get them to play our game” has changed the face of the game. Want to start winningourownGrandSlam?Make the courts fast and low bouncing and watch Americans at least dominate at home.

A.G. Longoria, USPTANewport Beach, Calif.

2010 World Conference worth-while Dear Tim (Heckler), In September I attended the 2010 USPTA World Confer-ence at La Quinta. The confer-ence was well-organized, the speaker lineup was world-class and La Quinta Resort and Spa is truly a legendary destination. What a treat to rub shoulders with hundreds of the finest teaching professionals in the world! The best decision I ever made – in my 27-year tennis career – was to join the USPTA. Being a USPTA member has

continued next page


truly enriched my life and my tennis career. Congratulations to you, Tim – and your excellent staff – on a job well done!

Warm regards, Bill Rapp, USPTA

Tournament Director, SAP Open San Jose, Calif.

Some players need to lower their sights on the serveDear USPTA Pros, If there is a common malaise in women’s tennis today, it is the serve. How many times in recent tournaments have you seen even the great ones have a service melt-down that costs them the match? In theory, if the serve is not strong enough today’s ball bashers will unleash some kind of winning offensive return. To avoid that possibility the server often tries for more than is necessary. A ball in play gives you a chance, a double fault may give you nothing. As an 86-year-old teaching professional, I still go back to the “good old days” when serving was not the dominant stroke. In those bygone amateurs days you played for prestige and trophies; today’s huge paydays were non-existent. I’m certain many of the WTA circuit players would not be familiar with the name Alice Marble. Marble was Wimbledon champion in 1939 and the best female player in the world at that time. In an effort to take advantage of his or her Wimbledon win, a champion would often sign with one of the major sporting goods companies to promote their product and give clinics and exhibitions around the country. Marble was nice enough to come to a club in San Diego when I was head professional for one of her clinics. The turnout was huge and the audience was not disappointed. We just played a

set before she began the clinic. After demonstrating her fore-hand, backhand and volley (which she actually did when she played), she got to the serve. Before she served she blind-folded herself and proceeded to hit eight consecutive balls in the proper court, no misses! Can you imagine Maria Sharapova, for example, with her high toss, trying to hit a serve in the court blindfolded? The chance of suc-cess is slim to none. Granted,theso-called“mod-ern game” requires some kind of offensive serve to stay competi-tive, but giving points away with some regularity doesn’t help the problem. I had the good fortune to grow up with the great Mau-reen Connolly (Brinker). We lived across the street from each other and less than 100 yards from three playground tennis courts. Her progress was phenomenal as she developed into a great player in record time. You may recall that Maureen “Little Mo” was thefirstwomantowinaGrandSlam – Australia, the French, Wimbledon and the U.S. Cham-pionship – in the same calendar year. The point of mentioning this is that her serve was her weakest commodity, but a double fault was a very rare happening. I still feel there is some merit in advice from the game’s “di-nosaurs.” Lower some of your high-altitude tosses and sacrifice a few miles of power for consis-tency. Winning is still more fun than losing.

Ben Press, USPTA Master Professional

Coronado, Calif.

from previous page

Classifieds

Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to 713-978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone. No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. The USPTA is committed to the policy that all people have equal access to its programs, facilities, employment and membership without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status. USPTA is an equal opportunity employer. USPTA reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion, or to edit the advertisement to be certain that any employment requirements set forth in it conform with the law.

BOOKS AND VIDEOSTennis Intelligence Applied. www.Tennissmith.com, 365-plus videos, fact-based system for players, parents and coaches. Proven results in progressive player development by Steve Smith.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESFinancing $3,000/month $50,000 down. North Augusta, S.C. Tennis Center. Four resurfaced lighted tennis courts. 1,500 square-foot clubhouse. Rental HM, 35 acres approved, 102 Villas. Lakes and golf front-age. $600,000. [email protected]

DRILLSNEED TENNIS DRILLS? USPTA Master Professional Jorge Capestany’s new website has more than 700 videos of tennis drills and tips. Log on to www.tennisdrills.tv to see (and print) more than 18 free samples.

EMPLOYMENT USPTA’s Find-a-Pro. The best job-posting service so you can find the best jobs, free. For more information, visit uspta.com.

TENNIS PRODUCTSPRO/COACH PRICING on racquets, apparel, shoes, bags, balls,stringsandaccessories.Getbaskets, carts, training equip-ment, books, videos and more. www.TennisExpress.com/800-833-6615.

QM-1 Portable Camera Support. Extendable pole, precalibrated system places on fence, from either side, quick and easy. MyTennis-Tools.com.

VACATION OPPORTUNITIESFive-Star Caribbean Resorts are Waiting for You! Working vacations available for certified tennis professionals. Family and couple resorts available. Contact: www.fitbodiesinc.com or call Denise Cox, 678-778-4673.

USPTA Mailbox

Send your letters to the editor, along with a daytime phone number or e-mail address, to ADDvantage, USPTA, 3535 Briarpark Drive,

Suite One, Houston, TX 77042; fax to 713-358-7794; or via e-mail to kim. [email protected]. Letters may be edit-ed for length and clarity.


HEAD has announced that Maria Sharapova, the 23-year-old RussianwiththreeGrandSlamtitles,willbringheruniquestyle to the winning team of HEAD “racquet rebels.”

HEAD’s player portfolio already in-cludes Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Robin Soderling – the world’s No. 3, 4 and 5 ranked players on the ATP World Tour. “We are proud to have Maria on board with so many other great tennis athletes like Novak, Andy and Robin,” says Jo-han Eliasch, CEO of HEAD N.V. “She definitely helps us build a much stronger women’s team together with Victoria Aza-renka and Svetlana Kuznetsova.” Sharapova and HEAD are now devel-oping a new racquet to support her powerful game and her efforts to return to the top of the WTA rankings. In addition to a high-performance tour racquet line, planned products include junior and kids’ racquets, accessories, and tennis bags. New products are scheduled to hit the retail market this fall. “I am excited to be on the HEAD Team and am looking forward to this partnership,” Sharapova says. “With my new HEAD weapon

I am confident to regain a spot among the top 10 again soon.” On four separate occasions the WTA ranked her world No. 1 in singles before serious shoulder problems forced her out of the game

in October 2008. When she came back in May 2009 she was ranked No. 126 due to her extensive layoff. But she has since won three more titles, bringing her to a career total of 22, and has worked her way up to world No.18. In 2004, at the age of 17, Sharapova wonherfirstGrandSlamtitleatWimble-don, beating top seed Serena Williams in the final.Sheclaimed twomoreGrandSlam titles at the US Open 2006 and the Australian Open 2008.

Sharapova also rates high with the public. In 2010, she was elected Favorite WTA Singles Player, as well as Most Fashionable On Court and Most Fashionable Off Court Player in the WTA Fan Favourite Voting Awards. She also has appeared as a model in the famous Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and she has been featured as “the face” of many fashion houses. But tennis, of course, remains her top priority.

Maria Sharapova combines style with performance as new HEAD player


We frequently tell students to “relax,” often in the context of relaxing their dominant hand. When players grip the racquet too tightly, the resulting tension in the muscles fatigues them and interferes with a smooth stroke

and racquet acceleration.

The winning “egg-vantage”by Robert Heller, USPTA

Pro to pro –tips and techniques from USPTA members

Ball Pick-up

In my clinics on mental skills training, I have recently introduced a raw egg as a “prop” to help participants get the “feel” of holding a racquet in a relaxed way. After a brief explanation of the com-mon causes of excess tension and why it is undesirable, I take out a raw egg and gently place it in the palm of my hand. I ask them to imagine what would likely happen if I started squeezing my hand with any amount of force stronger than

very light tension. I suggest that, generally, the “cradling” of the egg is about the right amount of tension they want to have when holding a racquet, even during the swing, on most strokes. I then pass the egg around and ask each person to lightly hold it for 10 to 20 seconds and internalize the feeling of light-ness in the hand associated with holding the egg. The great tennis legend Martina

Navratilova once said, “the softer the hands the better the player.” By practicing this exercise for a few minutes each day, you will develop bet-ter hand control and greater relaxation which will give you an “egg up” on your opponents.

Dr. Robert Heller is a counseling and sports psychology consultant based in Boca Raton, Fla. He is the author of the mental condi-tioning program, “TennisMind,” a frequent contributor to tennis

magazines, and often presents at state and national conferences.


Tell us what’s on your mind or what works for you!

Ever wanted to publish an article? This is your chance!

Send us your tips or articles on coaching children, high school players, recreational adults – any level – or other subjects such as economic challenges, popular programming, player development, ethics, job security – any tennis-related topic you want to address.

Remember, having an article published in ADDvantage can enhance your career or add to your resume. (Plus you may get some interesting feedback.) Also, being published in ADDvantage is worth 25 points toward USPTA Master Professional certification.

Send articles to the attention of the managing editor at the USPTA World Headquarters or via e-mail to [email protected].

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HEAD has introduced the second generation of YouTek Speed racquets, developed for world No. 3 player Novak Djokovic. The HEAD racquet rebel recently played the

AustralianOpenwithhisYouTekIGSpeedMP18/20.

“The name is Speed, and the racquet gives me a lot of speed in this aggressive game,” Djokovic said. “We have been working hard on the racquet in order to improve it as much as possible.”

TheYouTekIGSpeedlinefeaturesfivenewracquetswithHEAD’snew Innegra fiber technology. Extremely strong and light, Innegra has the lowest density of any existing fiber and, combined with carbon fiber, forms an ultra-tough hybrid-composite structure. As a result, it improves stability and shock absorption and provides consistent performance over the entire life of the frame.

HEAD launches new YouTek™ Speed Series racquets

Three of theYouTek IG Speed models(YouTek IG Speed MP 16/19,YouTekIG Speed MP 18/20 andYouTek IGSpeed Lite) hit stores in January. The other two models (YouTek IG Speed300andYouTekIGSpeedElite)willbe available in early March.

For more information, visit head.com. Also, find HEAD’s newest Facebook application, “What’s Your Game?” atfacebook.com/headtennis. Videos ofNovak Djokovic and the newYouTek IGSpeed racquet line can be found at this link: http://www.youtube.com/headtennis#p/u/9/kbvXURa_M1w.

Here are more details on the different versions of the new YouTek™ Speed IG series:

YouTekIGSpeedMP:TheSpeedMPistheperfectcombina-tion of power and control for heavy hitters with a long, fast swing style. It is available in three models, accommodating a wide range of players. You’ll never want to put this racquet down!

l YouTekIGSpeedMP18/20:TheMP18/20isNovakDjokovic’s Weapon of Choice.

l YouTekIGSpeedMP16/19:TheMP16/19hasamoreopen string pattern and a slightly longer length for added reach.

l YouTekIGSpeed300:TheMP300isaslightlymorepowerful version with added maneuverability.

Also available:l YouTekIGSpeedElite:ATourLightversionprovidingcom-

plete tour performance with greater maneuverability. The slightly wider beam gives it even more power.

l YouTekIGSpeedLite:ThisisthelightestracquetintheSpeedseries. A great tweener providing the perfect combination of power, maneuverability, control and feel. It’s the excellent tour racquet for players with a moderate swing style. World No. 3 player Novak Djokovic sports a new HEAD YouTek Speed racquet.


USPTA provides grant to QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia in 2010

The United States Professional Tennis Association presented a grant to QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia for its Jump Start QuickStart Tennis initiative. The grant makes it possible

for QCV to provide QuickStart Tennis equipment to P.E. classes for several local elementary schools benefiting more than 3,000 children. “The USPTA really stepped up to help us get QuickStart going in some additional counties in central Virginia,” said Lynda Harrill, QCV QuickStart Tennis coordinator. QuickStart Tennis is now in 82 schools with more than 39,000 students in central Virginia. Training P.E. teachers is the corner-stone of QCV’s strategy to grow tennis in central Virginia from the ground up and accelerate the introduction of QuickStart through

USPTA Professionals raise more than $5 million for charity

United States Professional Tennis Association members raised more than $5 million for charity in 2010 through the association’s Lessons for Life™ program.

“Our members continue to stay committed to raising money for important charitable causes, while at the same time bringing their communities together through these efforts with tennis,” said Diane Selke, Lessons for Life chair, USPTA Master Professional and head tennis professional at Valley Country Club in Aurora, Colo.

A variety of charities benefit each year from the USPTA’s Lessons for Life program, including the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,Tim&TomGulliksonFoundation,MothersAgainstDrunk Driving, Scripps Stevens Cancer Center, and many other national and local charities.

Lessons for Life became USPTA’s national charitable program in 1999. The USPTA and its members have raised more than $45 million since the program’s inception. Through this program, the USPTA encourages its members to use tennis as a vehicle to

help others through fundraisers and other activities in their com-munities. Many of the fundraisers take place at country clubs and commercial clubs, where the majority of USPTA Professionals

direct tennis operations and programming. Fundraisers take the form of tournaments, pro-ams, auctions, black-tie dinners and clinics.

In 2009 USPTA and Rally for the Cure joined forces to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer through tennis and Lessons for Life under the broader Tennis – for the health of it! initiative. Rally for the Cure has the tools and materials for USPTA tennis-teaching professionals interested in running a Lessons

for Life charity tennis event in support of Rally for the Cure. This is just one more way USPTA teaching professionals can give to important causes through tennis and Lessons for Life.

Lessons for Life is officially celebrated in October, but events may be hosted any time during the year. People who are interested in participating in a Lessons for Life event should contact a USPTA Professional in their area. USPTA’s Find-A-Pro service is available at www.usptafindapro.com or by calling 800-USPTA-4U for help locating a USPTA Professional.

its Jump Start QuickStart Tennis initiative. Through this initiative, QCV trains, equips and supports schools, parks and recreation departments and other community organizations that are com-mitted to teaching and running self-sustaining QuickStart Tennis programs. The USPTA Foundation provides grants and donations to programs and organizations that strive to help economically disadvantaged people learn tennis. All proceeds from the annual USPTA silent auction held at the World Conference on Tennis go to the foundation. For more information on this and other USPTA programs, please visit www.uspta.com.


2011 USPTA Cardio Tennis Feeding ShootoutTarget set-up instructions and rulesYou will need the following items for proper set-up of the shootout competition.• Afullcartofballsonwheels(Theballsdonotneedtobenew.)• TheofficialCardioTennisbanner(PleasetrytosecureaCTban-

ner locally. All official CT sites have one, but if you cannot secure one locally we will ship one or the CT speaker will bring one.)

• Stopwatch

If a national Cardio Tennis speaker will be present to run the shootout, that person will have these items with the exception of the balls. If there is not a speakers team member, the division will be responsible for the proper equipment.

To be eligible to compete and win prizes you must be a current member of the USPTA and officially registered for your division convention. If you are not a current USPTA member or not regis-tered, you can compete but you will not be eligible for any prizes.

Rules:1) You need six helpers to effectively run a shootout, plus two to

three people to help pick up balls.

2) These helpers are as follows:- Three counters, one for each of the three areas (left, center,

right) and they only count the balls in their target area. The scorekeepers add all three scores together to get the final total score and give their total to the judge.

- One timekeeper who has a stopwatch. The timekeeper should shout out, “on your mark, get set, go” and then note the 45-second mark, 30-second mark, 15-second mark and count down from 10 for the last 10 seconds.

- Anemcee/judgewhomakessureeverythingismovingalong,lets competitors know who is on deck, and announces the final score. This person is typically a member of the National Cardio Tennis Speakers Team and is also very familiar with the rules.

- The sixth helper is the designated ball collector, who makes sure the basket is topped off for each competitor.

- The judge and the timekeeper will keep an eye out for foot faults. The shooter’s foot cannot cross the line during the competition.

3) Feeders get six practice feeds before they start. Feeders must go in sequence from left to right (left target, center target, right target). If they miss they should move on to the next target area; they do not keep feeding to a target area until they hit it.

4) The feeder shoots for one minute and tries to get as many feeds into the target areas as possible.

5) If a ball hits any line marking the target area, it still counts.

6) Feeders may not have any balls in their hands when the clock starts.- Feeder position is anywhere behind the service line within

the singles court. The feeder’s feet cannot be on or go over the service line. The basket can be over the line.

7) The winner will be the professional who records the highest number of feeds in the competition.

8) If there is a tie, there will be a playoff with the same rules.

9) First-place prize is $100, courtesy of the TIA. The division is welcome to add to the prize pot in the form of money, product, etc. The division can also offer second- and third-place prizes if they so choose. The first-place winner earns a spot in the final competition at the World Conference for a grand prize of $300, and second-place $100. If the first-place winner does not attend the World Conference the spot will then be offered to the second-place finisher, then third-place finisher. If none of those competitors can make it, then any division member who attends the World Conference and had not competed in the division shootout can participate in the qualifying event.


Career Development

exams, upgrades & certification review courses

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters. Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.

(4 credits for PTCA I segment)

Feb. 4-5 IndianapolisFeb. 6-7 Los AngelesFeb. 10-11 Port Washington, N.Y.Feb. 12-13 AtlantaFeb. 12-13 SeattleFeb. 13-14 DallasFeb. 14 Palo Alto, Calif.Feb. 14 Williamsburg, Va.Feb. 19 Memphis, Tenn.Feb. 19 Gastonia, N.C.Feb. 19-20 Rockville, Md.Feb. 19-20 Prairie Village, Kan.Feb. 20 Clearwater, Fla.Feb. 21 San DiegoFeb. 21-22 Houston*March 4 Charlottesville, Va.March 6 Hilton Head Island, S.C.March 6 Bonita Springs, Fla.March 11 Rochester, N.Y.

March 13 Jackson, Miss.March 18 Oklahoma City, Okla.March 19-20 Boca Raton, Fla.March 20 Columbus, OhioMarch 20 Birmingham, Ala.March 21 Valencia, Calif.March 21-22 Houston*March 27 Rome, Ga.April 5-6 San FranciscoApril 9-10 AtlantaApril 10-11 Los AngelesApril 11 Richmond, Va.April 14-15 Port Washington, N.Y.April 16-17 Aurora, Ill.April 16-17 Rockville, Md.April 17 New OrleansApril 18 Indian Wells, Calif.April 20-21 Tyler, Texas

specialty courses

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event. Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. Schedule is subject to change. Call the USPTA Education Department for more information or e-mail [email protected].

Junior development, Feb. 3, Indianapolis, C. Jones

Coaching doubles, Feb. 12, Stanford, Calif., F. Hassan

Developing a game-ready player, Feb. 13, Stanford, Calif., B. Hobden

Junior development, Feb. 13, San Diego, E. Collins

Coaching doubles, Feb. 20, Prairie Village, Kan., F. Hassan

conventions(division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference, 8 credits)

(Seminar DVDs, ½ credit/specialty course DVDs, 2 credits)

specialist degrees

CPD (Competitive Player Development) – Gained through the USA Tennis High Performance Coaching Program administered by the USA Tennis Coaching Education Department.

For more information about USPTA’s specialist degrees, including applica-tions, please visit our Web site at www.uspta.com or contact the USPTA Education Department at 800-USPTA-4U or [email protected].

Little Tennis®

Facility Management Computer Technology Sport Science Competitive Player Development Pro Shop Operations Wheelchair Tennis

cardio tennis

Please visit www.growingtennis.com (workshops) to register online.

Receive your education credit report card via e-mail by visiting the members-only section of uspta.com.

Earn education credits from World Conference DVDs

Feb. 3-5 Midwest Division Indianapolis

Feb. 4-5 Middle States Division Landisville, Pa.

Feb. 10-13 Texas Division Grapevine, Texas

Feb. 11-13 Northern California Division Stanford, Calif.

Feb. 12-13 Intermountain Division Las Vegas

Feb. 18-20 Missouri Valley Division Prairie Village, Kan.

March 4-6 Mid-Atlantic Division Charlottesville, Va.

May 12-14 Southern Division Baton Rouge, La.

May 15-16 Eastern Division Mount Kisco, N.Y.

May 20-22 New England Division Newport, R.I.

May 31- Florida Division June 5 Port St. Lucie, Fla.

June 2-5 Pacific Northwest Division Portland, Ore.

Feb. 27 Memphis, Tenn.April 16 Houston

A. USPTA Little Tennis T-shirt – white. 100% preshrunk cotton. XS, S, M, L, XL. $6

B. Little Tennis banner. $40

C. HEAD Drill Cones – 9-inch cones ideal as targets or markers for any drill, exercise or game. A set includes four numbered cones.

Sold in packs of eight (two sets). $26.95

D. USPTA Little Tennis wristband. Great to use as prizes. Sold individually. $2

Little Tennis items not pictured:

• USPTA Complete Guide to Little Tennis – The most comprehensive manual for teaching 3- to 10-year-old tennis players. USPTA member price – $29.95 Nonmember price – $44.95

• USPTALittleTennislapelpin–$1.25

• LittleTennisspecialtycourseDVD.$44.95

• LittleTennisposter.25¢

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Learn more about

Little Tennis

and get drills

and games @

www.littletennis.com

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26 ADDvantage/February 2011 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Industry action

Member product showcase – Arseya Publishing has

released the new book, “Beyond Winning - A Guide to Happiness and Fulfillment in Tennis and Our Competitive World.” Authored by USPTA Professional Larry Katz, “Beyond Winning” combines his experiences of a lifetime in tennis and 30-year background in yoga. The inspirational book is designed to help players at all levels enjoy the experience of competition while growing as individuals through that process. The message of relaxed participation is intended to help players perform at their highest level by developing an ability to increase internal

awareness while maintaining focus on the goal. The book is available for purchase on amazon.com or arseya.com.

Associations – The Club Managers

Association of America has developed a Risk Management Department to help mitigate risk in their operations. Jeff Magoon will head the department as a risk-management consultant and CMAA member advocate, helping the membership reach its risk-management goals. The department will primarily work with the insurance industry to create customized products for CMAA-

member-managed clubs. It will also help clubs get the best value for their dollar and improve coverage in areas such as employee benefits, workers compensation and loss control. For more information, visit cmaa.org and click on Member Benefits, then Risk Management. Information also will be available at the CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 24-28.

MiscellanyPeter Burwash International

has appointed Chris Myrold, USPTA, as tennis director for the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, in Nevis, West Indies. After a two-year closure due to hurricane damage, the award-winning Caribbean resort reopened in December. Originally from

Minnesota, Myrold has filled PBI assignments at La Ventanas al Paraiso in Mexico and, most recently, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai’i at Manele Bay in Hawaii. Myrold will now coordinate all tennis programs on the four red-clay and six hard courts at Four Seasons, a AAA five-diamond property. For more information about the PBI tennis management firm, visit www.pbitennis.com.

The special anniversary issue of Black Tennis Magazine can be ordered online. This latest Issue is a must-read for tennis

The internationally acclaimed Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy and Spain’s Registry of Professional Coaches presented a USPTA Player Development Conference in Naples, Fla., focusing on the Spanish method of developing players, Dec. 11-13, 2010. Featured speakers were USPTA member Emilio Sanchez Vicario, founder of the Sanchez-Casal Academy, former No. 7 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, and 2008 Davis Cup captain for Spain; and, USPTA Master Pro Luis Mediero, president of Registro Profesional de Tenis and president of the International Coaches Institute in Madrid, Spain.

U.S. Marines recently picked up more than 2,000 toys that were collected in the Toys for Tots drive at Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. The drive has become a communitywide effort and includes a tennis event. Donation boxes are located throughout the club with the assistance of the Ibis Public Safety Department. In the Photo: Steve Logiudice, general manager, Ibis, Chuck Gill, USPTA Professional and national board member, the two Marines, Ibis Public Safety officers Grilliot and West, and Howard Golan of the Ibis Property Owners Association.


Industry action

A Radnor, Pa.-based company has produced Practice FunForms, a line of sports instructional aids that can be used as tennis court targets. These inflatable animal figures offer a creative way to teach QuickStart Tennis to children 10 and under. The set, which includes five safari-themed animals, a pump, and a stories-based instruction booklet, creates a fun learning environment so children want to practice. FunForms are made from superior PVC, double- stitched on the seams, with a pocket on the bottom of each animal that you fill with clay, sand or water. Victoria Azarenka, No. 10 on the WTA tour, practiced with the FunForms and said, “I had so much fun playing with the FunForms and hope it will help kids improve faster.” For more information, visit www.PracticeFunForms.com.

buffs. In celebration of 34 years, BT magazine presents 100 pages of historical data and photographs of players from “then and now.” To order your special copy, send your request to [email protected] or visit BTMag.com.

Tail Activewear has introduced a new line of tennis apparel featuring Advansa Thermo°Cool™. The Advansa Thermo°Cool™ line complements Tail’s other performance lines that offer benefits such as moisture management, wind and rain resistance, and antimicrobial protection. The new Advansa Thermo°Cool™ line will be carried exclusively at pro shops, clubs, and specialty retailers and online at www.TailActivewear.com.

Andre Agassi will receive the highest honor available in the sport

of tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The announcement of Agassi’s induction was made at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, the public charter school that Agassi founded in 2001 in Las Vegas’ most at-risk community. The students at Agassi Prep, who range from kindergarten through Grade 12, joined Agassi in a pep-rally-style event to celebrate his induction. Agassi is the sole 2011 inductee in the Recent Player category. Additional 2011 inductees in other categories will be announced at a later date. Agassi’s induction ceremony will be held on July 9, 2011 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum in Newport, R.I. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame

The Town of Windermere (Fla.) Parks and Recreation held its Tennis Block Party on May 21, 2010, with 31 families in attendance. “Participants were introduced to QuickStart Tennis and did not want to leave when it was over. Parents signed kids up for the summer program, which will begin in June, and adults also registered for USTA League play,” says USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator Shelly Licorice. The event was organized by USPTA Professional Marcelo Gouts. Photo by Pete Rems.

Tennis Championships, an ATP World Tour event. Tickets for the induction ceremony are limited. Box seats, custom sponsorship and hospitality packages are available. In addition, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is developing

other events and programs to complement the induction ceremony and allow as many fans as possible to be part of the celebration. For more information call 866-914-FAME (3263) or visit www.tennisfame.com.

maria sharapova joins head team! - addvantageuspta.com · membership/ sylvia ortiz certification...

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