There are going to be drastic cutbacks in the size and scope of the national junior tournament schedule in 2011, and while the details are nebulous, one casualty will be The Copper Bowl as we know it. The Copper Bowl used to immediately follow the Super Nationals and start on Jan. 1; however, beginning this…
If you have been to Disneyworld, you know that while the rides are the attraction, they are really the hook to sell merchandise and hospitality. I was at the U. .S Open this year and it is "Tennisworld." Opportunities to spend money abound. I have read that the economic impact of the Open on New…
The most important person in local tennis over the last 25 years that you have probably never heard of is Mike Silverman. Mike is director of sports for the City Parks Foundation, but his first love is tennis. He has been the point man for raising an extraordinary amount of money to support free tennis programs…
With the back to school season fast approaching, Long Islanders should be proud that they have a collective ideal which emphasizes the value of education, and as a result, some of the finest schools in the world. So it’s back to school in September, EXCEPT for a select few of the best young players in…
The steadiest player I know, never misses, never complains, and unless someone else has gotten there first, is always available. Of course I’m talking about a wall. Walls are undervalued practice partners. I think many players don’t consider seeking out practice against the wall for two reasons. First, it is not as valuable or realistic…
The mission of the USTA is: "To promote and develop the growth of tennis." In the local area, we can now add, "To promote and develop the growth of its junior development program" and the first step in this growth is to promote an extensive free program. The USTA is now in the junior development…
While watching the Wimbledon Men’s Final between Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych, I heard NBC broadcasting legend Dick Enberg ask John McEnroe about a comment made by Andy Murrey after his semifinal loss that "Nadal’s ball just feels so heavy on my racket." "What?" Enberg asked, "does that mean?" McEnroe’s insightful response was, "sometimes the…
I just came back from the USTA High performance camp in Boca Raton, Fla. Several of the best 11 and 12 year olds from across the country, as well as their primary coaches, were selected to participate, including a student of mine, Brenden Volk. I have a few observations from this experience that I would like to…
Players used to be obsessed with their USTA ranking, and I really didn’t think I would see the day when this would no longer be true, but it seems to be so. Juniors have found a new focus, and are now preoccupied with their standing on Tennisrecruiting.net or in tennis speak, "TR." This, by the…
Playtheclay.com claims that "of the 103 men who have reached the top 10 since rankings were kept, 91 of them grew up on clay." That’s 88% and that’s astounding if it’s true. How did they come up with that number?