Tennis “The Dark Side” … The Unfortunate Truth

By Lonnie Mitchel
What has changed in the game of tennis since the tennis boom of the 60s and 70s? I wrote in the last issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine that tennis is a gift for a lifetime, and that will be my battle cry for all parents who want to do something great for their kids. Tennis has evolved in many...Read more

Be Humble and Have a Backup Plan

By Lonnie Mitchel
Did you know that you have a better chance of winning the New York State Lottery than gaining a spot in the U.S. Open Draw? That’s right, 17 men and 15 women in the U.S. Open Main Draw were from the United States of America . None of the males entered were from Long Island and only two of the women...Read more

Tennis: A Parent’s Gift That Lasts a Lifetime

By Lonnie Mitchel
The article in the May/June 2009 issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine entitled, “College Tennis Advice” by Clark D. Ruiz II, was terrific advice for a young tennis enthusiast who wants to play in college and us crazy tennis parents who have high aspirations for our sons and daughters. I recently...Read more

What’s the Story With the Popularity of Professional Tennis in the U.S.?

By Eric Meditz
I’m upset. And it’s not because I just dropped and cracked the screen of my four-day old iPhone. It’s not even because I impulsively spent $30 on a lifetime supply of ShamWows. I’m upset for other reasons altogether. Now, being upset and angry is something that I rarely am. Usually, I’m a very...Read more

What’s the story with country club tennis?

By Eric Meditz
The tennis scene at any country club on Long Island is one of the most entertaining places to be. I have been involved with this scene as an employee for many summers of my high school and college years. In fact, if I ever had a chance to pitch a reality show to a television executive, country club...Read more

What’s the story with crazy tennis parents?

By Eric Meditz
When I was 18-years-old, I remember playing a junior tournament in Colts Neck, N.J. My opponent was a fellow high school senior who I played many times throughout my junior career. This was our last year in the juniors and we were both headed to Division 1 colleges the following year. During the...Read more