Senior Tennis 2010 – 1 VolumeVolume Seven Five • Number One • Spring • 2010 THE NEW ENGLAND SENIOR TENNIS FOUNDATION BULLETIN Bill Power, 89, Tennis Legend WORCESTER – William P. Power, 89, of Westbor- ough and formerly of Worcester, died Thursday, February 25, 2010, at his home. He was a legendary figure in tennis in Worcester for most of the twentieth century. Bill was one of the most accomplished tennis players in New England history. He started playing at age nine, and at age eleven made the final round of the Worcester Parks under 19 division in his first tourna- ment. He won the state high school singles champi- onship twice. He went on to be ranked nationally in the top ten in four different categories, and first in 14 different New England tennis divisions during his long and illustrious tennis career. He was a mainstay on the New England tennis tournament circuit for decades. He won more than 600 tournaments in his lifetime, includ- ing 12 all-Worcester men’s singles titles, the last in 1971 at age 51. Bill played with some of the greatest tennis Continued on page 19 Remarks for Bill Power’s Mass in Worcester March 3, 2010 by Peter Allen As you all know, Bill Power has been called one of the most accomplished tennis players in New England history. I’ll talk a bit about those accomplish- ments, then try to further describe the person we all knew: the humble, gentle, beloved man of integrity who will be sorely missed. I first met Bill almost 47 years ago in 1963 when I began facing him in New England Father & Son tennis tournaments. Bill was then in his early 40s, play- ing with his son Billy, Jr.; I was 18, playing with my dad, Dick. Bill was like a lion on the court, always attacking opponents with a heavy topspin forehand like no other. If an opponent could get that shot back, Bill also had the greatest drop shot, which no one could Continued on page 24 2 – Senior Tennis 2010 New England Senior Tennis Foundation, Inc. An organization established by Bernice and Irving Levine for the general purpose of promoting tennis among senior adults in New England. Administration Board Peter Allen, President Irving Levine Rich Heath, Treasurer Wade Frame Bats Wheeler, Clerk Carol Jaffe Amy Read George Ulrich Carol Lipnick Ken Miller Dorcas Miller To facilitate the promotion of senior tennis, the following strategies will be implemented: 1. To provide instruction for seniors interested in learning how to play the sport or improve their skills; 2. To support the publication of material to help seniors learn how to play the game, improve their skills and knowledge of the game, and un- derstand the latest health research information relating to the sport of tennis; 3. To distribute a newsletter on a regular basis Rich Heath and his daughter Susan played the National that freely discusses issues in the sport of ten- Father/Daughter 80 & over Grasscourt Championships at nis and at the same time reports the results of Longwood in August and came in third, earning bronze tournaments and other competitions and news balls. of interest to seniors; 4. To run tournaments and other compe- titions for seniors innovatively and in such a way Senior Tennis Newsletter editor as to help participants fully enjoy the sport; 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 2010 – Editor’s Corner... with Dick Ernst Questions for Alan Chandronnait: Do Players Get Better through the Years? 1. Players get better in each era. This seems logical, but I don't necessarily think it is true. Take the volley technique. Few singles players in today's game can volley the way the players did 30 years ago. On the other hand, the average groundstroke of today's pro is much better than that of 30 years ago. Typical one-handed backhands back then were hit with the continental grip, thus making them more neutralizing as opposed to the aggressive backhands of today. Henin, Gonzales, Federer, and so forth, all use full Eastern to even past full Eastern. And also, the two-handers have added to the mix making backhands, on average, stronger shots. But, if we look at today's players versus those of 30 years ago, we see very limited styles. Nearly every player today is an aggressive baseline player who doesn't know how to transition to the net, rarely serves and volleys, and if he/she does happen to get to the net, doesn't really know how to volley or even what to do with a volley. Are the players today better than in the past? I don't know. I think Laver could find ways of neutralizing many of the huge forehands of today using various spins, depths, trajectories, angles, etc. Sort of how McEnroe could neutralize many of his opponents' games even though his groundstrokes were just average. He understood shot selection and how to maneuver an opponent to maximize his own game. Your analysis is very perceptive. There used to be many serve and volley players. We used to complain that the points were often over too quickly. I think racquet technology, among other factors, enabling a faster ball, cautions today's players against rushing the net. 2. Generally, the number of good players in each era has increased (i.e., a greater depth of field). I totally agree with this. Back in the 20s and 30s players would skip the Australian Open because it was just too long a trip. Many Europeans skipped the U. S. Open because it was a two-week boat ride. With the increase in the number of tennis courts, faster transportation, more coaching, and probably most importantly, more money for players in each decade, more athletes at higher levels are attracted to the game. Wasn't there also a time when the champion of a major only had to play the final the following year? 3. Players getting fitter. I think the science of 'getting fit' has gotten much better through each decade. BUT it is up to each pro to take this information and use it. Overall, the men appear to be in great shape. The women's game has definitely improved, but there are still players who don't seem to be in terrific shape. The season-ending tournament for the women was a disaster. So many of the women were injured, it was amazing. Serena rose to No. 1 when Safina was injured. Maybe players are fitter, but tight scheduling is definitely taking a toll on their bodies. Last thought about this—until the tie-breaker was introduced, players played sets until completion—winning by two games. These matches had to have been not only physically tough but also emotionally draining. Today, players know the sets will only go to 6-all before ending in a tie-breaker. Back then, who knew how long one set would last? Years ago, it seemed to me that players reached their 'peaks' at around ages 27 to 32 years. Today, I feel that players are peaking in their early to mid twenties. Many players' bodies have 'broken down' by their late 20s, so they have to quit the tour. I think they should be required to play fewer tournaments and they should have an 'off season' like other sports. Continued on page 6 – Senior Tennis 2010 An Open Letter About Regional Tennis Magazines by Paul Fein and Jim Martz Dear USTA and TIA Leaders: While the number of players has increased, (27 million), the number of regional tennis magazines serving them has not. Like newspapers throughout America, regional tennis publications are struggling to survive amid declining ad revenue and increasing operating costs. Several, such as Northeast Tennis Magazine, Tennis Midwest and Play Tennis Florida, have already died. Some have suspended publication, such as Sun Tennis Magazine. Tennis Week discontinued printed editions and appears online only. The survivors are reducing staff, assignments and payment to contributors, pages and frequency of publication. USTA Magazine, for example, which at one point was 12 times a year, now has only four smaller issues a year, offering minimal local and state coverage. It carries occasional 8-page inserts for the New England, Southern and Eastern sections. The rapid decline and possible extinction of regional tennis magazines would be a great loss to American tennis. Why? Because only these magazines cover tennis players, officials, events, issues and trends in their respective states, sections or regions with depth and breadth as well as skill and passion.