One of The Best Bargains Around: Teen-Aged Hitters

By Ricky Becker
I started coaching when I was 15-years old at a country club. If I remember correctly, I was paid $20 an hour at the cluband I was more than thrilled. IAt the club, I taught adults and kids (many of whom went to my high school.) I went on the next couple of years to teach a handful of local uniors...Read more

Viva Fernando Verdasco

By Steven Kaplan
Each Sunday morning, I direct the Reebok Academy for The City Parks Foundation at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. This past Sunday, I was asked if Fernando Verdasco could use one of our courts. It was a request I couldn't refuse. Up close, Verdasco is an imposing athlete;...Read more

Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Cheating

By Steven Kaplan
The USTA rules against coaching during matches are unambiguous; it's not allowed except during breaks. Coaching is defined as: "Any communication between players and parents, coaches and spectators." How widespread is this illegal practice? USTA.com writes in the "Improve Your Game " section, "...Read more

Significant National Point System Changes In 2012

By Ricky Becker
If you plan on aging up in 2012 naionally, all I could say is "good luck." Points have been drastically reduced for all national level tournaments except for the quarterfinals on in SuperNationals.This includes national points distributed at USTA/Eastern Sectional Tournaments. Last year if you win...Read more

Straw Dogs

By Steven Kaplan
Long Island Tennis Magazine asked me in the November/December 2011 edition: At what age or level, if any, does home-schooling become necessary for a serious tennis player? I summarized by stating "While the tennis rewards of home schooling are undeniable, the educational compromise and risk...Read more

A Rule That Allows Stacking?

By Ricky Becker
Although I appreciate (and disagree with) the counterpoint to my last article about limiting junior tournaments to younger kids, I will respond to it in the future. When I heard that for the second time, there was going to be an attempt to blatently stack a lineup to gain a competitive advantage, I...Read more

Hannah Camhi

By Steven Kaplan
Hannah Camhi hasn't quit school to play tennis, instead, she stays after class as she has done since eighth grade to lead the team. Hannah doesn't see education as an obstacle to her goal of being a top ranked player, instead, she recognizes her tennis as a way to further her education. It has...Read more

Stackingate

By Steven Kaplan
The Syosset Girls Varsity Tennis team has been declared 2011 Long Island Champions by default and justice has been served (no pun intended). I have little to add about this sorry event because Longislandtennismagazine.com has finally stopped snuggling in editorial Switzerland and projected a strong...Read more

Let Them Play

By Steven Kaplan
If frequent tournament play is causing problems for your young player, then perhaps it's time you reevaluate how this participation is managed. It's true that children are often frustrated and bewildered by the tournament experience. Formal competition can produce tremendous anxiety, anger and...Read more

Why Younger Kids Should Play Fewer Tournaments

By Ricky Becker
Different coaches teach different things and have different theories. The problem is, I'm the only one who is right. Just kidding of course (at least the obnoxious attitude.) One of the items I have debated with some other coaches over the last few years is the amount of tournaments kids younger...Read more

Strike Zone

By Steven Kaplan
Tennis News reports that top ATP touring professionals are giving serious consideration to a player's strike. Top ATP players, including Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray had expected to meet with tour officials during the recent Shanghai Masters, but talks have broken down. Andy Murray...Read more

Early Exits

By Steven Kaplan
I frequently read LongIslandTennisMagazine.com, and the article entitled " Todd Martin Named to USTA Board " caught my eye. Todd Martin is a great choice for USTA leadership. By all accounts, Mr. Martin is a very classy guy and a true tennis gentleman. He replaces Jeff Tarango who started his "two-...Read more
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