YANKEE PROSE

New England Division Winter 2011

Another banner year for USPTA Free Lesson Days held during the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in July in Newport, R.I. Welcome New Members

Dai Edwardes-Evans...... Nantucket, Mass. Roxana Enica...... Weston, Conn. Tommie George ...... Northborough, Mass. Shane O’Reilly ...... Bridgeport, Conn. Daeyou Choi ...... Arlington Mass. Paul Sullivan ...... Dover, Mass. Recreational Coach

Scott Donovan ...... Lynnfield, Mass. Robert Hurley, Jr...... Marshfield, Mass. David Newton ...... Hamden, Conn. Jason Pressber ...... Boston, Mass. Dennis Scarpa ...... Plainville, Conn. Paul Sullivan ...... Dover, Mass. Todd Toler ...... Bow, N.H. Mathew Vaughan ...... Dalton, Mass. Michael Van Gogt ...... South Bristol, ME

2 President’s Message

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fellow Professionals, PRESIDENT As the last lessons of the summer season are given on your outdoor courts, it’s Jacques A. P. Faulise 13 Loop Drive time again to move your talents indoors for the 2011-2012 indoor tennis season. It’s North Kingstown, RI 02852 a quick transition from outdoor to indoor; Labor day, the US Open, high school and Cell 401-952-7000 college seasons, the World Conference On Tennis, and then its contract time. I hope [email protected] all of you have the opportunity to have a little rest, or down time, just for you to REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT recharge, refresh, and renew your strength and enthusiasm before starting all over Christopher Stevens again. Be sure to take a little time for yourself. 502 Springbrook Circle Portsmouth, NH 03801 Our New England division again was well represented at all of the professional H 603-373-8035 tennis events this past summer. Thanks to Avis Murray and all of the pros who volunteered their time and W 603-610-0183 Cell 603-969-2648 efforts at the . Thanks to Steve O’Connell and all his Conn. pros for the New Haven Open [email protected] TAA Free Lesson and great 1 day conference. The International Tennis Hall of Fame Championships now features 2 full days of free tennis lessons. Thanks to Anne Schwartz and all of the pros who put in over 8 TREASURER hours per day in some very hot weather. Our division is known nationally for all of its efforts in hosting Marcy Rubinstein 76 Greenbrier Road these TAA events at the major professional events. Throughout all of New England many of you held your Trumbull, CT 06611 own free lesson days. Thanks to all of you for giving back and promoting our great sport. H/W 203-268-5357 Cell 203-521-2663 The national convention at Saddlebrook was well represented by our members, who enjoyed all of the [email protected] seminars, relaxing, and playing that a national convention can offer. Keep in mind that next September’s World Conference On Tennis will be at the Monterey Bay Racquet Club in Monterey California, and the SECRETARY Doug Eng, Ed.D, Ph.D. host pro is a former New England board member, Hans Romer. Your new USPTA board has settled into 30 Revere Beach Pkwy. #302 their positions and has a commitment to lead our membership forward during the next 2 years. We had the Medford, MA 02155 Cell/H 617-281-8368 pleasure of having USPTA President Tom Daglis at our annual convention last may in Newport, and the [email protected] New England board appreciates his hard work, and vision for the future of the USPTA. Our next conference will be on January 14, 2012 at Wentworth By The Sea Country Club, hosted by VICE PRESIDENT Michael L. Mercier regional Regional Vice President Chris Stevens. Wentworth seems to be the spot that is most attractive 108 Lovett Street to our membership, as far as a centrally located venue. We always have our greatest number of attendees Beverly, MA 01915 Cell 978-273-6500 there. Chris is putting together another great speaking list for this 1-day event. Please put it on your [email protected] calendar. Congratulations are in order to our head tester, Dave Fleury, and Harvard site director Mike Mercier, for VICE PRESIDENT TBA bringing a proposal forward that has been accepted by the national testing committee, to have a testing hub in New England. This is really huge. The hub will be nationally recognized and offer many testing dates VICE PRESIDENT every year. Connie McHugh P.O. Box 1823 Thanks also to Lance Anderson, and Mike Mercier and his staff for putting together a great website. It Edgartown, MA 02539 looks terrific and will be constantly updated with all the information you need to know about USPTA New H 508-627-9200 England. If you have anything to add to this site, or to pass on to our membership in general, please contact W 508-696-8000 [email protected] Jerri DiCamillo, our EA. She is always in need of information about what our membership is doing. You can also contact your state rep at any time, if you have any concerns. Doug Eng has put together a member IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT from each state to help coordinate each state’s activities. Avis R. Murray 30 Cleveland Street The nominating committee, headed by Past President Avis Murray, has brought forth the slate for 2012. She Gloucester, MA 01930 and her committee worked very hard to chose a board of hard working, knowledgeable professionals to H (978) 283-0809 Cell 978-609-0750 our membership for the next 2 years. Thanks, Avis. Fax 978 282-7725 We continue to have a good working relationship with the USTA. Our treasurer, Marcy Rubinstein, is W 978-283-1866 Ext. 3 (Summer) [email protected] on the New England board of the USTA. The USPTA fully supports the Quick Start programs, and our members are teaching and promoting it at their clubs. Connie McHugh, as membership chair, has worked in trying to promote the university program, an EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR opportunity for college age students to become involved in the USPTA for a reasonable dues fee. New Jerri DiCamillo England has also had its first member tested in the ADD program. P.O. Box 126 West Kingston, RI 02892 W 401-789-8927 Cell 401-742-2075 Thank you and have a great winter season. [email protected]

Jacques A. P. Faulise

3 Wheelchair Tennis is Fundamental Tennis

The 2011 New England Wheelchair Tennis Camp, held at Harvard University in August, was not only a great time for wheelchair tennis players, but for teaching professionals as well. A half dozen professionals successfully completed a USPTA Wheelchair Certification session during the course of the camp, and came away with new teaching skills and a deeper connection to tennis. Over the course of many years of directing Wheelchair Certification sessions, I’ve seen that certification can help professionals improve their teaching skills, inspire more passion and commitment to teaching tennis, and help them to better connect their students with some of the core principles of successful tennis. Some of the key areas of focus for wheelchair tennis instruction include: • Balance. All pros know that keeping your weight balanced and centered under your feet is key to producing a strong and effective stroke. It’s also essential to stay upright, in order to quickly move around the court. Wheelchair players are no exception to this—hitting a good shot while seated requires a balanced and upright position, with weight centered above the wheels. • Preparation. To successfully move your wheelchair so that you’re always in position to hit the ball, you need to pay careful attention to good preparation. Able-bodied players can often make up for a lack of readiness in ways that a wheelchair player cannot—it’s a good way to unlearn bad habits on the court. • construction. Anticipation and planning are even more crucial for the wheelchair player than the able-bodied player, given the added challenge of maneuvering the chair into position. So it becomes even more important to think about not just the shot you’re trying to hit, but the shots you plan on hitting for the entire point. • Closing to the net. Moving forward is crucial for winning points in tennis, and wheelchair tennis in particular emphasizes this strategy. A player moving to the net is in control of the point, something that is true whether you’re playing for fun in a park or on the ATP tour. • A different perspective. Pros who spend time teaching and practicing wheelchair tennis have the opportunity to see the court from a new angle, which can only improve your ability to reach your students. It’s a reminder of what is important to know in order to play and teach tennis well. In my opinion, every teaching professional should consider Wheelchair Certification. Wheelchair tennis is a fantastic sport played by people with courage and passion, and is inspiring to be a part of. But beyond that, being certified to teach wheelchair tennis can help bring a tennis professional’s entire game to a new level.

Tell us about your charitable events! Lessons for Life is officially celebrated in October. However, that does not mean that Lessons for Life events can only be run in October. Members can participate in a charity event any time of year by organizing tournaments, auctions, pro-ams, black-tie events, free lessons and clinics. These events can benefit large, small or even local organizations. The important message is that our members are making a difference. That is why the USPTA urges its members to report all of their charitable events and the money raised so that we can recognize them and their divisions for their generosity.

From 1999-2010, USPTA members have raised more than $45 million in donations for charities like the American Cancer Society, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation, churches, schools, retirement communities, inner-city youth programs, scholarships and many more. USPTA promotes these good deeds with articles in industry magazines and press releases sent to owner/manager magazines and newspapers nationwide.

We ask you to submit details about your fundraising activities online by visiting www.uspta.com and selecting Lessons for Life in our Quick Links pull-down menu. This will take you to the Lessons for Life section, where a link at the top of the page directs you to “Click here to register your event.” You may also submit your event information via e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks for all you do!

Questions If you have any questions, please contact Shelina Harris at [email protected] or at 800-877-8248, ext. 104.

4 EASY ON THE CUTTING EDGE

Sport science always has a cutting edge as we develop smarter ways to train, use STATE REPRESENTATIVES high speed video for analysis and play with the latest racquets. Sometimes being on the cutting edge might complicate learning when really we need to simplify concepts so students can understand. After all, teaching or coaching is not about how much you know but how effective you can make learning for your students. A couple of recent books out there are quite on the cutting edge. A few years ago, the publishing MAINE company, Human Kinetics came out with Strength Training Anatomy which showed Luke Korzekwa 207-729-8433 beautiful cut-away drawings of muscles and human beings in exercises. It was followed by Stretching Anatomy and then an avalanche of titles, the latest one [email protected] being Tennis Anatomy by Paul Roetert and Mark Kovacs, two of the most respected sport scientists working with USTA in recent years. The book was unveiled at the US Open Bookstore in August 2011 if you had a chance to drop by and peruse it. Tennis Anatomy is a wonderful book, not quite in depth with stunning drawings as Strength Training Anatomy, but it well illustrates which muscles are used in tennis VERMONT and tennis-specific exercises. As a serious teaching pro or coach, it’s well worth Bill Simmers Doug Eng, Ed.D., Ph.D., having such a book to help answer some of your students’ questions about what 802-297-4230 USPTA New England \ exercises to do or what muscles are used or are hurt. Tennis Anatomy might just [email protected] Sport Science Chairman grab the attention of the trainer at your club. And for under $17 at amazon.com, it’s USTA National Sport Science inexpensive training information. Committee Then there’s a book only readable by MIT graduates, Complex Sports Biodynamics: With Practical Applications in Tennis published by the famed German scientific publishing house, Springer-Verlag EASTERN in 2009 (soft cover version in 2010). It’s written by five Serbian sport scientists and coaches, two working in MASS. Australia. We know the Serbians are quite amazing on the court today and it looks like they can be amazing in the Dan McCormick books, too. The book uncovers a complex mathematical modeling of tennis and sport science. The authors argue 978-944-0166 that CSB (complex sports biodynamics) is a interdisciplinary science specifically aiming at making champions. So [email protected] maybe if you are trying to be the next Nick Bollettieri, this book might come in handy if you bring along an MIT grad to translate. You can check out the free pages on Amazon.com where it sells for $149.00. One could argue how complex it is making champions in tennis but sometimes we need to take small steps for success. So here, to conclude, I will present six fun and simple exercises utilizing sport science principles. CONNECTICUT 1) Medicine Ball Tennis Exercises teach us how to use the legs and core in loading and developing power. Diane Sullivan Practice tossing the ball to each other using an open stance and full shoulder turn imitating real strokes. A 203-306-7935 fun game is to play for points at the net in mini-tennis doubles. Balls weighing 4-8 pounds are great for 12 [email protected] years and older. 2) Beach Ball Spin Exercises are great for 10 and Under kids to learn spin. A beach ball is quite visible and they can add underspin or with their hands and pass the ball back and forth. They can also play group tennis games. WESTERN 3) Multiple hops are great for improving footwork and introducing the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) in MASS. plyometrics. Easy exercises include split steps with a 180º turn (turn away from the net and then jump Mike Kolendo 413-374-0738 around), alley hops, hopscotch for volleys. In all the drills, make sure the contact time (landing on the feet) [email protected] is short. Research now shows that a short contact time (not faster turnover of feet and steps) is a primary difference between quicker and slower athletes. 4) Torso Twists or Helicopters are perhaps the best dynamic stretches that imitates strokes. Stand with the feet shoulder width apart and hands out and start turning your core either way. As you turn, get down a bit and load up on the legs. Helicopters are an alternative name for 10 and Under kids who might just love to NEW fly and take off the ground. Students can learn loading and angular momentum. HAMPSHIRE Whitey Joslin 5) Throwing (Baseball) Practice is simple. Two basic exercises are outfield and pitching practice. Have 603-526-9293 students stand behind the baseline, run and throw hard as if they were throwing a ball from outfield to [email protected] home plate. They learn how to loosen up and throw upwards as in the tennis serve. The second is pretending to pitch. In this exercise, students wind up (like a pitcher on the back leg), cock the elbow, and release the throwing shoulder. A student should land on the front leg with the back leg off the ground (kicking backwards). Often we think of these exercises as learning the arm motion in throwing to serve better, but students are also learning how to load, use the kinetic chain, and balance on one leg after serving. RHODE ISLAND 6) Counting, as simple as it is, helps a) breathing/exhaling, b) staying in the present, c) focusing attention on Wayne Turner 401-862-6801 the task and d) setting goals (e.g., get to 50). Such a simple sport psychology exercise should be done [email protected] every day. Some of my beginner students say it distracts them from trying to learn the stroke. Often they are trying to verbalize their learning experience and self-criticizing. So it’s actually great for them since they forget self-consciousness and stroke automatically. So from stretching to developing power to developing focus, there are simple exercises that help students get better. Often simplest is best.

To view YANKEE PROse go to www.uspta.com or www.usptanewengland.com

5 Pr s n the G Legendary Tennis Coach, Nick Bollettieri, energizes MAC Tennis.

MANCHESTER, MA—October 18, 2011. Tennis royalty visited players at Manchester Athletic Club’s MAC Tennis Academy for a weekend of instruction and motivation from one of the sport’s most prolific coaches. Nick Bollettieri, coach to Andre Agassi, Monica Seles and, more recently, , among many others, visited the North Shore club where he gave private lessons, group drills and immeasurable motivation to hundreds of adult and standout junior players from over 14 surrounding cities. This marks the ninth year of collaboration between the club and the influential tennis coach and the 38th year of tennis at Manchester Athletic Club.

Avis and MAC Director of Tennis Todd Carpenterr Manchester Athletic Club is one of only 18 USTA regional training centers in the country and is home to the MAC Tennis Academy, which includes the biggest pool of highly ranked tennis players in New England, including five #1-ranked players in New England and more than 15 players in the top 10 of their age group.

Nick Bollettierir State University women’s tennis coach, Joe Dunn, Sr., was The club took this opportunity to unveil its newly renovated tennis named Little East Conference coach of the Year after guiding the Vikings to facility at an event where new championship banners were raised and their first conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division 3 Tournament. several teams were recognized for taking the number one spots in the Salem State went 12 -2 overall and 7-1 in Little East Competition. Lauren North Shore League, as well as at the National Level. A banner was Turenne of Reading and Carly Muniz of Gloucester earned first team also hung to commemorate the 2009 induction of Manchester Athletic All-Conference honors in singles. Turenne also gained All Conference Club’s own teaching pro, Avis Murray, into the United States Tennis in doubles, teaming with Michelle McEwen of Billerica to go 12 – 0. Association’s New England Hall of Fame. Many of Dunn’s team players have volunteered on various occasions to help with the Tennis Across America event held by the Boston Lobsters in July Waterfall Takes Bronze in National Grasscourts Brookline, Mass. resident Al Rogers, USPTA Master Dick Waterfall of Marlboro, MA put together Professional and recent member of USTA New England Hall of Fame has a string of excellent tennis and came away with been selected for induction into the Maynard High School Athletic Hall of a bronze ball at the USTA 45s Fame in Maynard, Mass. The ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 19. The Hall National Championships at Germantown Cricket of Fame honors oustanding athletes, coaches, teams and administrators Club in Philadelphia, PA. Waterfall, a tennis pro from Maynard High School. Rogers’ career as an amateur player, coach and director of tennis at several clubs hadn’t and author spans more than 50 years. played in a tournament setting as competitive as a National in a long time. After winning his opening match, he began to feel more Inadvertently omitted in the July issue of YANKEE PROse was comfortable and gained a measure of confidence. Ernie Uthgenannt from Ellington, Conn. who along with his partner Waterfall’s success will likely lead to more William Schmid, Westport, Conn. earned the rank of No.1 in the 75 and tournament participation this winter when he is over category in USTA New England hoping to take part in the Fiesta Bowl. Sheila Weinstock - World Champion! Congratulations! The 2011 ITF Seniors and Super Seniors World Team Lynn Miller, longtime Wheaton College women’s and Championships were held October 10 -15 in Anatalya, men’s head tennis coach has bee selected for induction into the Turkey. Sheila Weinstock, Framingham Mass., Althea Gibson Cup 70s captain and her teannates took first USTA New England Hall of Fame. The Cereony will be helld on place in the competition. She was one of nine USPTA Saturday evening, June 9 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame Pros selected for this premier event on the ITF Seniors in Newport, R.I.. Circuit.

6 Pr s n the G

On Saturday, October 22, in honor of their 15th Anniversary, Whatever happened to Hans Römer? The Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa hosted special guest speaker He moved from California to Maine in 2005 and Dr. Stephan Esser. Dr. Esser, a USPTA certified teaching professional everyone was questioning him why on earth would is presently completing advanced training in Physical Medicine and you make that move? Hans and his wife Kristin Rehabilitation at Harvard in Boston, Mass. He conducted on court drills had a “good run” in New England, but tennis has for doubles with the tennis pro, followed by a lecture on keeping the adult its limitations in seasonal States. After coaching body joints injury free for tennis. the Fryeburg Academy, Colby College and USM, Hans became Director of Tennis at the Portland Country Club and joined the Board of Directors for USPTA New England. While enjoying New England, snowboarding and supporting the Celtics, they both realized that with the new economy a seasonal job wouldn’t quite cut it. After one year as Director of Tennis Operations at the prestigious BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens - yes, same club where Venus and Serena play - Kristin received a promotion/transfer with her company Herman Miller sooner than they had anticipated. West again! Next stop the beautiful town of Monterey. After 8 months teaching at a municipal facility, doing a few presentations for USPTA NorCal, coaching USTA NorCal teams at National events, including winning the Gold for USTA NorCal at the 14’s Zonals in Colorado Springs, CO Hans finally found Dr. Stephan Esser (center) leading the participants in a warm-up. his purpose. Since October 15th he is the proud Owner/Director of Tennis of the Monterey Bay Racquet Club, adjacent to the Del Monte golf course, the oldest in the West, located on the splendid property of the Hyatt Monterey, where he will host the USPTA 2012 World Conference! Living only 0.4 USPTA New England Division President Jacques Faulise miles from his facility, Hans isexcited to start implementing creative recently accepted the position of Court Tennis Professional at the Tennis programming, hosting USPTA events, running tournaments, becoming a and Racquet Club in Boston, Mass. He had served as the court tennis USTA CTC and hopefully see a lot of USPTA friends in September 2012. professional at the national tennis club in Newport, R.I. from 1984-2002. Congrats Hans, good luck from NE. Please visit sites: During the fall, he coached the North Kingstown Girl’s Varsity Team to 4th Place out of 10 teams in Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) http://montereybayracquetclub.com/ Division I. Senior Hannah Zingari, the team’s #1 Singles player, won http://www.facebook.com/montereybayracquetclub the RIIL State Singles Championship on October 30 at Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket, R.I., the first state champion, boy or girl from North Kingstown.

The Martha’s Vineyard Girls Tennis Team, coached by Connie Murray Receives Ned Weld Award McHugh, won their first Conference Championship in the history of the school this past spring. They are members of the Eastern Athletic NEWPORT, RI - It seemed fitting that Conference. The girls’ record was 7-1. The tennis courts at their High an honor presented to a person who has School were resurfaced this summer in their school colors. They are now contributed so much to the sport of tennis purple and green. The team christened the courts in August with their first was celebrated at the International Tennis championship banner in hand. Hall of Fame. Just after John Isner wrapped up a victory at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the Ned Weld award was presented on-court by Youth Tennis Foundation President Mike Lewitt to Gloucester, MA resident Avis Murray. The Ned Weld award, named for the longtime Youth Tennis Foundation supporter and USTA New England Hall of Famer, was created in 2008 to honor an individual who embodies the spirit of competition and gives back to tennis – characteristics that Ned Weld personified throughout his career.

7 Meet Paul Fein Writing Awards Paul Fein leads a fascinating life. One thing is for sure, there is no grass growing under his feet. About his teaching: He has been a USPTA Certified Teaching Pro for 40 years In 2011 United States Tennis Writers’ and since 1996 has served as the head pro for the Chicopee, Mass. Park and Recreation Association Writing Contest Paul won 2nd Department. In addition he teaches at Szot Park in Chicopee from May through September Place in the Previously Published Nonfiction taking time off during the US Open. When time allows he gives private and semi-private Article/Essay/Book Chapter category for lessons in Springfield and Longmeadow. his article – “Rafael Nadal: International Paul Fein’s main profession is tennis writing. However, he also does copyediting and Sports Star of the Year,” Sports Illustrated proofreading. He is the editor of Tennis India Magazine. His articles have appeared in (South Africa). Paul also won 1st HM for more than 25 countries, and these days they appear mostly in China, Australia, Germany, - “Agassi vs. Sampras: The Rivalry That India, Japan and the USA. He writes human interest features, Q&A interviews, instruction Never Ends,” Tennis Life. articles, analysis articles, essays and columns about controversial issues, straight reportage, history pieces, book reviews, a monthly “Tennis Index,” and an annual “The Year That Was” retrospective. He has written three books: Tennis Confidential (foreword by In the 2010 United States Tennis Writers’ Bud Collins), Tennis Confidential II (foreword by Billie Jean King) and You Can Quote Association Writing Contest, Paul won Me on That (foreword by Mary Carillo). All the books were ranked No. 1 among tennis 1st Place in the “Service” category for his books by Amazon.com for more than six months. article, “The Importance of Momentum in Tennis.” It was his ninth 1st Place award in the annual USTWA writing contest in the past 11 years. Paul also won 2nd Place in the Service category for his article, “Defend and Conquer.”

In the 2009 United States Tennis Writers’ Association Writing Contest, Paul won 1st Place in the “Service” category for his article, “Lessons from the .” It was his eighth 1st Place award in the annual USTWA writing contest in the past ten years. Paul also won 2nd Place in the “Column/ Commentary” category for his article, “The Foot Fault that Freaked out Serena.”

In the 2008 United States Tennis Writers’ Association Writing Contest, Paul won 1st Prize in the “Service Story” Category for his article, “Ten Reasons Why Topspin Is Essential on Clay.” It was his seventh 1st Prize award in the annual USTWA writing contest in the past nine years. In the same category, Paul also won 2nd Prize for his article, “The Art of Anticipation.”

Paul won 1st Prize in the 2007 United States Tennis Writers’ Association Writing Paul Fein (right) interviewing Martina Hingis, 5-time Contest in the “Service Story” Category for singles and 9-time doubles Grand Slam winner, at the Ocean his story, “Playing Drop Shots.” It was his Edge Resort in Brewster, Massachusetts, in July, 2004. sixth 1st Prize award in the annual USTWA (Photo credit: Tim Balestri) writing contest in the past eight years. As a tournament player, Fein peaked at No. 7 in men’s singles and No. 4 in men’s doubles in New England about 40 years ago. He returned to competition in 2007. In 2008, he Paul also won 2nd Prize in the 2007 ranked No. 2 in the 60s, in 2009 and 2010, he ranked No. 1 in the 65s. This year he was USTWA Writing Contest in the “Hard dethroned by Rick Klaffky in the New England sectional 65 singles final. News/Enterprise” Category for his story, “How Successful Is the U.S. Open Series?” His diverse tennis background includes being founder/director of the Springfield and 2nd Prize in the “Feature Story (Pro (Massachusetts) Satellite Tournament, a top-10 singles and top-5 doubles ranked men’s Tennis)” Category for his story, “Tennis for open tournament player in New England, a starting varsity tennis player at Cornell the Bloody Fun of It.” University under renowned coach Eddie Moylan, a commentator for Continental Cablevision, president of the Springfield Tennis Club and Springfield Tennis Council, a USPTA teaching pro, NELTA tournament consultant, college tennis referee and NEPTA ranking committee chairperson. Paul lives in Agawam, Massachusetts.

Read more on Paul Fein’s two websites: www.tennisconfidential.com and www.tennisquotes.com

8 Back to Coaching Part II by Connie McHugh Harvard University, approved as

Last I wrote, my team’s season had just gotten underway. We had met at USPTA Regional Testing Center the opening of the season to get to know each other and set our goals as a The United States Professional Tennis Association, the world’s leader team. Once we made sure that everyone had the proper shoes and racquets in tennis-teaching certification, has created a system of regional testing with that were not too old, we hit the courts. centers. These regional testing centers offer the Certification Exam, As we all know with High School tennis, it is only a matter of days of including the review course, PTCAI, written exam, exam, private practice before you are in your competitive season. And then it is fast and lesson, group lesson, feeding exam and stroke production tests. furious….20 matches in two months not to mention the individual and USPTA selected major metropolitan areas with populations of at least team tournaments. 3 million people, strategically placed geographically around the United States, allowing USPTA regional testing centers to be available to the Opening the Season greatest number of potential applicants. The USPTA national testing One of the first things I did was reread the rules of tennis start to finish. committee recently approved Harvard University’s application proposal Nice to think you know it all but there are lots of unusual situations in tennis by Mike Mercier, the head tennis professional at the site. and specific rules apply. Our team had a season opener dinner together with some entertainment afterwards. I spilled a box of poker chips on the coffee table and proceeded to ask them all kinds of questions around the rules and 2012 Testing Dates history of the game. Any girl that got the answer right took a chip from the January 7-8 table. There were prizes for the girls with the most chips. Meanwhile, we March 17-18 got a chance to discuss all the ‘weird’ things that can happen in a match. It also gave me a chance to let them know how to advocate for themselves May 5-6 on court and when to call upon me to be helpful. July 7-8 I remember one of the questions was “Why do you say the score out September 8-9 loud before you serve? I reminded them that one of the most important November 17-18 reasons is to remind yourself as to where you stand in the game i.e. I am down 15 - 40 so it may not be the best time to try the drop shot I just Site learned this week. Harvard University During Matches 65 North Harvard Street Watching and coaching five matches running simultaneously is a bit of Boston, Mass. 02134 a run around. I found myself chasing to a court sometimes so that I could Site Contact Person speak with my doubles team before they finished changing ends. Dave Fleury, Head Tester 207-831-4772 I took notes during the matches. I wanted to have at my fingertips the ideas that I wanted to tell my players during the match that I thought International Airport would be helpful…especially anything that I thought they were missing Boston Logan Airport that would turn a match around or secure a tight battle. Distance from facility - 8 miles/15 minutes You can’t give a player too much feedback. Often it’s best to have one focal point to share at a change of ends. Many times after watching for Current Testers awhile and jotting down some things I would look at my notes and convey Dave Fleury the one idea that was most applicable to the most recent points. Or I simply made a picture on paper of the play or target area that I wanted them to Bob Greene focus on. That seemed to be enough for any player. Wayne Turtner Many times I only had to deal with players being nervous. I had a couple Hotels of strategies. I tried to be funny to cut the tension they felt. Or I would remind them of the great match they just played and share the confidence Note: Depending on the time of year, different hotels are availabe with them that they could do it again. Other times it was much more *Doubletree Suites By Hilton Boston important to point out their opponent’s weaknesses and help portray them 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Mass. 02134 as the better skilled and more determined player. And more than not I reminded them to take deep breaths and continue breathing. 617-783-0090 - 1 mile I kept notes on the things that would be valuable to work on in practice *Courtyard by Marriott and the strategies I wanted to share with them. I also kept notes on 777 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, Mass. 02139 complements for individual players that I wanted to share with the 617-492-7777 - 1 mile entire team. “Allison was fabulous at capitalizing on the short ball and following it to net. Her movement forward was very intimidating for her *Charles Hotel Harvard Square opponents.” 1 Bennett Street., Cambridge Mass. 02138 The notes from the matches made it even easier to prepare for matches. 617-864-1200 If I saw several notes on the , I could assemble drills to work on that skill for the next practice. New applicants may register for any of these exams by selecting Next time I’ll write about how I tried to protect the team’s energy so that the date when completing the application. You can also register we would remain strong and injury free through the season with enough by calling the Membership Department at 800-USPTA-4U or fire power left for the post season matches in the state tournament. 1-800-877-8248.

9 10 11 A W A R D S

12 13 21st Annual TAA FREE Lesson a Big Hit The 21st Annual Tennis Across America free public tennis lesson took place on August 26, 2011. The venue for the event was the New Haven Open WTA Championships on the courts of the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University in New Haven Conn. The lesson programs were held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Aetna Fit Zone courts of the historic Connecticut Tennis Center. USPTA NE professionals who helped make the event a success were Steve O’Connell, Skip South, Tom Quigliano and Ed Dancsak. 30 members of the general public participated in this year’s free lesson. Over 1500 The USPTA New England Division and Boston Lobsters teamed up players have participated in this USPTA NE annual event in the past 21 for the fourth year to promote tennis as a part of a healthy life-style. years. Programs such as USTA Quick Start Tennis, Cardio Tennis and Pros Another successful Family Day, a Tennis Across America (TAA) vs Joes competitions were held. Once again celebrity pro Wayne Bryan event took place prior to the WTT July 16 match against The New came by for a photo and conducted his popular skill games like “sudden death” and “moon ball racquet catch.” Crowds gathered outside the gates York Sportimes at the Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton, Mass., looking on with curiosity at the challenges this popular tournament emcee site of seven home matches played in July. was putting the pros and participants through. This event is part of the fabric of the US Open Greatest Road Trip and one of New England’s largest annual sporting events. It’s FREE and it’s for everyone.

USPTA NE Summer Conference Explores A Woman’s Point of View The USPTA/NE division held its 2nd annual Summer Conference of tennis professionals in conjunction with its 21st Annual TAA lesson event on Thursday, August 25 at the Smilow Athletic Tennis Center on the campus of Yale University from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Regional Pros and tennis industry ambassadors attended the educational seminars. Edgar Giffenig of Giffenig conducted a compelling seminar on the differences and similarities of training male and female tennis players. Then, Yale Women’s Tennis Coach, Danielle McNamara, gave an exhilarating talk on her experiences working with female tennis players. Finally, there was some lively discussion on women’s tennis and related topics during a round table discussion with fellow professionals. Following the seminars a cocktail reception was held in the Smilow lobby. Pros enjoyed each other’s company and shared ideas. Those who attended were awarded 3 USPTA continuing education points and the opportunity to accrue the USPTA’s new APC elite credits. Also, each attendee received seats to the night matches in the tennis stadium and grounds passes for the Friday matches. Everyone went away with a raffle prize graciously donated by USPTA endorsees and event sponsors. Many thanks go to Head-Penn Racquet Sports, Fromuth Tennis, On-Court- Off-Court, and Prince Sports. Pros and friends in attendance were Steve O’Connell, Matt Fraenza, Skip South, Bruce Angeli, Ken Alrutz, Ed Dancsak, Ray Konchalski, Nestor Bernabe, Mark Sanderson, along with event speakers Edgar Giffenig and Danielle McNamara. In a spectacular setting at a US Open series Professional Tennis event, this event will continue to grow as an annual convocation of the tennis industry’s finest. Make plans to attend next year.

14 This drill serves as an excellent warm-up for 6 or Team 10 8 intermediate to advanced players and is a great substitute for the generic “Two across the baseline” drill. Half the participants form a line at the baseline directly behind the Ad side alley. The other half forms a line on the opposite side of the court at the net inside the Ad alley. The pro will 2 1 feed two forehands to each baseliner as they move from one end of the baseline to the other. The baseliner will hit the first feed from the Ad side and the next from the Deuce side. They will hit both balls crosscourt to their partner who is moving in conjunction with them along the net. The volleyer will attempt to angle away both of these crosscourt shots. After the two shots, regardless of their success, both the volleyer and baseliner run around to the end of their respective lines. The volleyer must run behind the pro so not to interfere with feeds. The volleyers count how many balls they successfully get in and the first one to get 10 ends the drill. The baseliners and volleyers then switch sides of the court and reverse roles. The same drill can be done Pro with . Mark Centrella is a Past President and current Head Tester for Middle States. He is the Director of Racquet Sports at the Greenville Country Club in Wilmington, DE.

15 16 17 N FOR SALE Used Brutus Tennis Rollers E Reid Tennis Courts, Inc. Tim Reid P.O. Box 1551 W Avon, CT 06001 860-678-0479

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U New England 2012 C CONFERENCE January 14 USPTA Honorees A Avis Murray...... Education Merit Award Wentworth By The Sea CC for 10 years of continuing education participation N Rye, New Hampshire Years of Service Host Pro Chris Stevens 55 yrs ...... Neil Chase, Rockport, MA

40 Years ...... Paul Fein, Agawam, MA David Fowler, Milford, CT U Avis Murray, Gloucester, MA grants available in 2012 You can get a Pro Penn tennis ball grant (up to two cases) for 35 Years ...... Phyllis Roach, Cranston, RCT S grassroots tennis events. Submit a written request describing your program details, the location and dates of the event. Also, what pros are Tim Smith, Southborough, MA. involved and the type of people that your program will serve (preferably novices and beginners). Programs that qualify are any type of free or 30 Years ...... Jim Cole, New Haven, CT E low-cost programs or an event of your own creation. The grants are sponsored by USPTA New England Division. E-mail your request to Ben Bishop, Mansfield Center, CT President Jacques Faulise at [email protected] for processing. Mike Lewitt, Brookline, MA Apply early as there are a limited number of cases of Pro Penn balls for this program.

18 Publication Deadlines HEAD PENN RACQUET SPORTS Important Contacts Publication Dates Deadlines July (Summer) newsletter June 1 (Including USPTA NE Fall Conference Brochure) Michael Gersky Joe Hajducky November (Winter) newsletter Oct. 1 District Sales Manager District Sales Manager (Including USPTA NE Winter Conference Brochure) Nov. 2 Mass., Maine, Vermont Conn., Rhode Island New Hampshire Westchester County March (Spring) newsletter Feb. 1 30 Gillette Road 166 North Street (Including USPTA NE Annual Convention brochure) New Hartford, CT 06057 Trumbull, CT 06611 The following is the rate schedule for ads placed in our newsletter. 860-496-9735 Phone 203-375-4653 Phone Size One Time 2 Issues 3 Issues 860-489-2443 Fax 203-375-4653 Fax Bus. Card $35 $30 ($60) $25 ($75) 1/4 page $60 $55 ($110) $50 ($150) 1/2 Page $85 $80 ($160) $75 ($225) 3/4 Page $100 $90 ($180) $80 ($240) Full Page $,110 $100 ($200) $90 ($270) The New England website Full page insert - rate $100 www.usptanewengland.com As of 11/5/2011 there are 681 tennis professionals in New England. The newsletter YANKEE PROse can be viewed is up and running with a new online at www.uspta.com by all USPTA members, the look. Check it out! presidents and vice presidents of the 16 other divisions of the USPTA, as well as USPTA national Board of Directors.

ustanewengland.com Jerri DiCamillo, Executive Administrator 110 Turnpike Road Editor/Photographer/Layout and Design of Yankee PROse USPTA New England Division Westborough, MA 01581 P.O. Box 126, West Kingston, RI 02892 Tel: 508-366-3450 Telephone: 401-789-8927 or Cell: 401-742-2075 Fax 508-365-5805 e-mail: [email protected]

19 USPTA New England Division Election of Board of Officers

It’s time for our division to hold its biannual election of officers. The USPTA New England Division bylaws are very specific about how this will be accomplished. What follows is the actual bylaw language concerning the nomination and election of the Board of Officers. ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF OFFICERS Section 4. Nomination and election of Board of Officers. The Board of Officers will be elected biannually by the division membership. The election will be held as follows: nominations will be made before November 1 during an election year by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee will propose a complete slate of officers and forward this slate to the division secretary by November 5. By November 15, the division secretary will mail to the membership the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers and call for further nominations. By December 1, the nominations from the membership must be received by the division secretary who will thereupon add to the ballot the names of those persons who receive the greatest number of nominations from the membership. Only one nominee per office will be added to those persons nominated by the Nominating Committee and the one name added will have received the greatest number of nominations from the membership. The nominee, in order to be added to the ballot, must receive nominations from at least 20 members. In case of a tie, the nominee who has the highest number of nominations deposited with the division secretary on December 1 will be added to the ballot. Thereafter, by December 10, the division secretary will send out ballots to the members to be returned no later than January 10. Each ballot must be numbered and printed in such a manner as to not be able to be reproduced. The ballots will be returned to a counting committee that will be appointed by the Board of Officers and comprised of two or more division members none of whom may be members of the Board of Officers or the Nominating Committee. The newly elected Board of Officers will take office at the next regularly scheduled division membership meeting or February 15, whichever comes first. The Chairman of the Select Presidential Advisory Committee, who is also a member of the Board of Officers, will be the immediate past president. If the immediate past president is unwilling or unable to serve, then the Board of Officers shall by majority vote, elect the chairman of the Select Presidential Committee. The Nominating Committee has completed its deliberations, and is pleased to nominate the following slate for the Board of Officers of USPTA New England Division for the 2012-2013 term. President...... Chris Stevens. Regional Vice President...... Marcy Rubinstein Vice President...... Phil Parrish Vice President...... Steve Thuot Vice President...... Lance Andersen Secretary...... Connie McHugh Treasurer...... Doug Eng Immediate Past President...... Jacques A. P. Faulise

20 21 New England Division P. O. Box 126 West Kingston, RI 02892 United States Professional Tennis Association

Happy Holidays! **********************