Tennis has certainly become a global sport, but one of the sport’s largest markets, the New York area, has lost some high-profile events through the years from both the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tours.

Growing up, I was a big fan of Jimmy Connors. His return of a serve was considered the best in the world for a long time (before Andre Agassi came along). Connors seemed to take great pride in returning some of the fastest cannonball serves. It also became my favorite shot in tennis. Most of the principles I learned from watching Jimmy still hold true today.

Coming off an outstanding 2010 campaign in which they advanced to the World TeamTennis Finals, the New York Sportimes have announced their 2011 schedule, with seven home matches in July, including five at Sportime Randall’s Island Tennis Center in Manhattan and two at SEFCU Arena at the University of Albany.

Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe will renew their rivalry when they will square off for the first time in 10 years at a World TeamTennis (WTT) on July 14th at Sportime Stadium at Randall's Island as McEnroe's New York Sportimes will face Connors' Philadelphia Freedoms.

Roger Federer beat Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-3 to win the Stockholm Open on Sunday and match Pete Sampras’ career total of 64 career titles. Since 1968, only Jimmy Connors (109), Ivan Lendl (94) and John McEnroe (77) have won more singles tournaments than Federer and Sampras.

I guess that I have contributed enough articles to Long Island Tennis Magazine to allow me to have a little “fun.” Before retiring, I was a history teacher (I know, its “Social Studies,” but I am old school) for a third of a century. It was a great job, but there are always speed bumps on the highway of life.

“Vilas go to court one, Wade go to court four, Connors … I will have a court for you in a minute …” There I was, a local Long Island tennis pro telling some of the legends of tennis what to do as we all raised money for a worthy cause.

One of my first tennis instructors when I first began taking lessons in the late 1960s-1970s taught me something I will never forget. I preach this message to this day to many of my students, as well as my own two boys who compete in college and the USTA Junior Circuit: “Just let your racquet do the talking for you.”

The Long Island Region Board of the United States Tennis Association/Eastern Section takes great pleasure in recognizing our top junior and adult awardees for their outstanding accomplishments both on and off the tennis courts. Your achievements are the result of your hard work and dedication. Each of you is an inspiration to the Long Island tennis community.

The 2010 Easter Bowl, USTA National Spring Championships is a blockbuster showcase of American junior tennis that has been in existence since its 1968 debut in New York City. This year's event is taking place April 11-18 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. and Palm Desert, Calif., and features Boys and Girls 18, 16, & 14 and Under Divisions. The Boys and Girls 18s are also a top ITF international event with singles, doubles and consolation divisions.

It was 1978, and the U.S. Open was coming to Flushing Meadows. My friend was a ball boy the previous year at Forest Hills and said, “Why don't you try out this year.” I said, “Sign me up!”