Unseeded Tiberio Takes National Clay Court Title
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Senior Tennis 2008 – VolumeVolume Six Five • Number Nine • Spring • 2008 THE NEW ENGLAND SENIOR TENNIS FOUNDAITON THE NEW ENGLAND SENIOR TENNIS FOUNDATION BULLETIN Unseeded Tiberio Takes National Clay Court Title Henry Tiberio of Beverly, Mass., brought a national title to New England, winning the National 85 singles Clay Court Championships at Pinehurst, N.C., in September. Although self-motivated, Henry was encouraged by friends Harry Kirsch, John Shane and Tom Shields to go for it. Held September 9-16, 2007, the 32-draw tournament had the #1 ranked player Marvin Henderson of Texas meeting Henry in the 2nd round. (They had met only once before at a National Grass Court Championship in South Orange, N.J., with Henderson winning easily.) Tiberio surprised Henderson, 6-4, 6-3, who had two national titles for 2007 and is forecast to be the top player in their age division for 2008. The next close match was the semis where Henry met the #3 seed, Edward Selfe of Alabama. Henry noted that he "played more confidently here, having beaten Ed the week before at Longwood. However, Selfe is an excellent clay-courter, and this was a tough three setter!" Henry Henry Tiberio prevailed, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Number 2 seed Bob Sherman of California also reached the finals only to run into 'Howitzer Henry.' After dropping the first set, 6-2, Tiberio evened the match in the 2d set tiebreaker. Blunting Sherman's two match points, Henry gave up five set points before prevailing 13-11. Although Tiberio won his first national title with a 6-1 third set win, the going was very tough. Sherman regained his composure in the fourth game, hoping to make it 2 games all. But Henry credits his intense focus and resolve, out-dueling Sherman 3-1 in a game which lasted as long as the previously played tie-break. It was more or less 'coasting' for Tiberio after that. Henry suggests that we "narrow our focus on the play situation at hand; thoughts of winning/losing belong on the 'back burner.' The point/game situation evolving at the moment is where our attention should be focused." And he adds that he had a lot of fun in Pinehurst - besides winning! (See drawsheet for more match results.) Continued on page 5 2 – Senior Tennis 2008 New England Senior Letter to the Editor Tennis Foundation, Inc. An organization established by Bernice and Irving 9/12/07 Levine for the general purpose of promoting tennis Dick Ernst: among senior adults in New England. Many thanks for your kind note Re: Tennis Show "25" and the Administration Board super photographs you sent. I hope you had a good time. It Peter Vieira, President Irving Levine was a "show' and not very good tennis on my part, but I think everyone enjoyed a chance to see Roy Emerson play a set. Rich Heath, Treasurer Jack England Bats Wheeler, Clerk Carol Jaffe As I recall Tim Mayotte and myself had a 3-1 lead in the set, Ken Rickson when Tim really started playing the crowd. I tried to have him George Ulrich play some serious tennis which would have given us a chance Carol Lipnick for a victory, however right at that time I am sure "Emmo" Ken Miller decided to crank it up a notch and, as I recall, from that time Dorcas Miller on he didn't miss a volley or a groundstroke. Stan Mescon (his partner) also started to play better so we had little chance to To facilitate the promotion of senior tennis, the actually win that set. following strategies will be implemented: 1. To provide instruction for seniors interested Anyway, I had a fun time at my own party. I am not sure of in learning how to play the sport or improve the final amount of money we raised for the Youth Tennis their skills; Foundation, but I am sure Jeff Waters will let me know ASAP. 2. To support the publication of material to Again, many, many "THANKS" for your note and the help seniors learn how to play the game, improve photographs. their skills and knowledge of the game, and un- derstand the latest health research information Best regards: relating to the sport of tennis; 3. To distribute a newsletter on a regular basis that freely discusses issues in the sport of ten- nis and at the same time reports the results of Richard Mount tournaments and other competitions and news of interest to seniors; 4. To run tournaments and other compe- titions for seniors innovatively and in such a way as to help participants fully enjoy the sport; Senior Tennis Newsletter editor 5. To develop and support interstate, inter- Dick Ernst of Cranston, R.I. The sectional and international competitions for Barrington High School boys ten- seniors; nis coach and a ranking senior 6. To respond to changing needs and interests circuit player. Seniors who are of senior tennis players; 7. To recognize and respond to opportunities not on our mailing list please to provide leadership within a larger context call the NESTF office at 508-674- for the development of tennis (i.e., to support 8459. or oppose actions by tennis groups that either further or diminish the growth and support of the sport); Send stories, pictures and articles to: 8. To provide where possible and to support Dick Ernst facilities for senior players at either a reduced rate or at no cost to them; 71 Philmont Ave., Cranston, RI 02910 9. To create and support a governance struc- 401-785-0532; or [email protected] ture that ensures continuity to the Foundation Advertising in this publication is available at 1 and support for its goals and strategies. $500/page and $300/ /2 page. N.E.S.T.F. website www.neseniortennis.org Senior Tennis 2008 – Editor’s Corner... with Dick Ernst The Indoor Tennis Court and Miss Lyra Brown Nickerson by Tom Brun (Owner), The Indoor Court, East Providence, R.I. On October 29, 2007, The Indoor Tennis Court hosted a monthly meeting for the East Providence Historical Society. Sportscaster Michael Lyons graciously accepted our invitation to present this program. The topics covered that evening were indoor tennis courts built prior to 1940, famous tennis players that have visited the "Indoor Court" and a brief history of the "Indoor Court" as well as its original owner, Miss Lyra Brown Nickerson. The audience enjoyed the presentation as many photographs were displayed on the large gray and white walls of the court. The topics of early famous tennis players who have visited the Indoor Court as well as the Court's history were previously presented for this publication. The information and research with regard to Miss Nickerson is far from complete, but it does provide further insight into history of The Indoor Court and its original owner. In July of 1916 an article appeared in The Providence Journal of which Miss Nickerson was the subject. The author referred to Miss Nickerson as "The Little Major." That title could have easily been coined by the great human encyclopedia, Bud Collins. As you read the information below you'll have a better understanding of who Miss Nickerson was as well as her significance to the tennis world. Even though she would die several years before Bill Tilden would first walk through the doors of the "Indoor Court," she deserves great credit for her idea of creating one of the first indoor tennis courts in the United States in 1914. Miss Nickerson's Indoor Tennis Court allowed many tennis players and spectators the only place to enjoy tennis during the winter months in Rhode Island. One cannot deny the importance of her contribution to tennis history and to the success of Bill Tilden. Below is just a small piece of the story of Miss Lyra Brown Nickerson. Miss Nickerson was said to be one of the wealthiest and most popular members of society in Rhode Island. Her father was Edward I. Nickerson, a well respected architect; he was the architect of the chapel at the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence. However, it was Miss Nickerson's maternal grandfather, Joseph R. Brown of Brown & Sharpe, who was the source of her wealth. Mr.. Brown left a considerable estate at the time of his death in 1876. Half of his estate went to his daughter, Miss Nickerson's mother (with the same first name), Lyra F. Brown. When Miss Nickerson's mother passed away in 1907, the estate was divided equally between Miss Nickerson and her father. Sadly, less than one year later in 1908, Mr. Edward I. Nickerson Miss Lyra Brown Nickerson would also die. Miss Lyra Brown Nickerson was a very wealthy Continued on page 6 – Senior Tennis 2008 President's Message As I was giving my grandson a tennis lesson recently, I noticed on the next court a "senior" gentleman hitting groundstrokes all by himself. At the end of our lesson, the man approached my grandson and me and asked if one of us could hit with him for five-ten minutes. He explained that he no longer could plat y tennis with his right arm due to severe arthritis and he was trying to learn to play with his left arm. After hitting with my grandson for a few minutes, I told him how much I admired his determination and urged him to continue as I had known several people who learned to play left-handed due to injuries to their right arm or shoulder. He left encouraged and promised to continue his efforts so that he could keep playing a game he obviously loved.