Tag: Mid-Atlantic tennis

Dream Season for 2.5 Team of Beginners

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Well-being thanks to tennis was a key to success

Lifting the gate latch, Kristy walked onto the tennis court in Richmond, Va., for her very first USTA Mid-Atlantic League match. Never in her 40 years would she have expected to have arrived here. Her heart pounded with every step she took as she walked over to greet her doubles partner and opponents. She was so nervous and unsure what to expect. She had put the work in but did not know if it would pay off on her newly forged path as a 2.5 beginner league player. 

Kristy gave tennis a try because her young son decided he wanted to play and began learning the sport. 

“My 5-year-old son decided he wanted to try tennis and ended up loving it,” Kristy said.  “Seeing him enjoy the sport made me think it would be something fun for us to do together as he gets older.” 

Well-being thanks to tennis was a key to success on the court for this 2.5 team

She too began introductory lessons and made pretty good progress in her beginner’s group.  Soon after, Kristy was asked to join a 2.5 USTA League team in 2020. All of the women on the team were in the same boat, starting and learning the sport in their late 30s just like Kristy, and never playing in USTA League before. 

“I don’t know of any other sport that you can pick up later in life and pretty much play until you are well into your senior years. I truly feel like anyone can pick up a racquet and learn to play,” shared Kristy. 

The team was composed of people from all walks of life: doctors, lawyers, scientists, business owners, stay-at-home moms, all coming together and being put to the test during that fateful first USTA Mid-Atlantic League tennis match. 

Kristy won it decisively 6-1, 6-2 and remembers thinking to herself, “maybe I’ve got the hang of this now!” Her teammates thought similar thoughts having taken all three lines that day. 

But the dream season would have to wait – the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans and the season was cut short. 

“During the COVID shutdown, the outdoor courts at my club remained open and it seemed to be the one thing from ‘normal life’ I was able to keep doing,” expressed Kristy.

Tennis was becoming so much more of an important aspect of life for her than she could have imagined when she started her league tennis journey just a year prior. The well-being benefits of the sport emerged front and center, including social and emotional benefits. 

“As much as I love tennis, the social element has been one of my favorite benefits,” says Seredni. “Playing tennis, I have met so many exceptional ladies who I am now lucky to call friends. Tennis has been the thing when you are having a rough day or week, you can always look forward to… I honestly can’t imagine my life now without tennis.”

Even though the 2020 season was short, Kristy and her team had 2021 in sight. 

Kristy commented, “we really started off as a group of strangers who very quickly became a tight-knit group of competitors. We were all so driven and excited and couldn’t wait to see what we could do. Our chemistry on the courts was off the charts and when we were off the courts we were celebrating births of babies, pregnancies, job promotions, really just supporting each other in life which I think was a huge part of why we were so successful.” 

Tennis in the Mid-Atlantic Section brought them together and delivered on well-being benefits and connections on a deeper, social and emotional level.  

Well-being was key to tennis success for this 2.5 USTA Mid-Atlantic league team.

“Something just clicked,” Kristy recounted. “We all seemingly hit our stride at the same time going the entire 2021 League season never dropping a line.” 

This remarkable outcome for the FIRST full season of tennis for the team paved the way for a trip to USTA Mid-Atlantic Sectionals and all the way to the Championship match!  

Kristy’s team was crowned 2.5 Finalists in Mid-Atlantic for the Adult 18 & Over (.5) in 2021. A dream accomplishment many seasoned teams aspire to achieve. 

Thanks to USTA Mid-Atlantic tennis creating a deeper well-being in Kirsty and in her teammates’ lives, they succeeded more than they could have imagined. 

“This past year, really throwing myself into USTA tennis, has been so incredibly rewarding.  From success on the court to meeting new people and making new friends, I have really enjoyed every minute on the courts…Whether you are looking to play for fun or looking for a competitive league, I promise you there is a league for you. And for people thinking about donating, do it!  Watching juniors learn the sport and love playing it is so much fun!  There are so many things for these kids to learn on a tennis court that will translate to life skills.” 

No matter when you start or your level of experience with the game, you can gain the well-being benefits tennis provides. And with YOUR help we can make sure more people, especially those without access to tennis, experience the incredible benefits of the sport through a variety of tennis programs and services from the USTA Mid-Atlantic. 

Make a tax-deductible gift today to support tennis programs in the Mid-Atlantic region that create community, character, and well-being for all. 

USTA Mid-Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn more about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1472806. All donations made to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Tennis is Growing in Local Communities

With the Help of Parks and Recreation  

At the center of every community are parks and recreation. Within those parks and recreation organizations space exists a history of thousands of stories, experiences, memories, and more.  As part of the annual celebration of Park and Recreation Month,  USTA Mid-Atlantic is excited to celebrate tennis growing in local communities and share stories of the joy of experiencing and providing tennis in public parks in our local region to ALL.  

Each Park and Recreation department in the Mid-Atlantic is unique in their approach but share one common mission – to include everyone, no matter ability, location, background, or resources, in their community tennis programming. This is a shared value with USTA Mid-Atlantic and aligns with our vision for tennis in EVERY community. Park and Recreation programs grow the game for every level, and some are doing it with the help of the “Grow the Game Grant” from USTA, which rewards providers who offer entry-level tennis programs to everyone in the community. 

Read below to learn about park and recreation  providers from the Section on a mission to bring tennis to everyone in their local community:  

DCDPR

DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s mission is to promote health and wellness; conserve the natural environment; provide universal access to parks and recreation services. 

We caught up with Andrew Acquadro, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s Citywide Tennis Director, to give some insight into their department’s approach to tennis and share his story as part of  Park and Recreation Month. 

Kids Playing Tennis with DCDPR - Tennis Growing in local communities

“It’s important to celebrate National Parks and Recs Month so people can learn about all the fantastic low-cost public programs there are available in the community,” Andrew said. “Tennis is generally associated with needing a lot of money to learn how to play, so finding out what’s offered to the public [at a low cost]  through Parks & Rec is that much more important… DC Parks & Recreation offers so many different types of athletic and educational programs to the community and it’s amazing!”

There is no shortage of other programs offered by DC DPR. 

“[We] offer all types of tennis and pickleball programs in order to keep things fresh for all residents of all ages. Over 90+ clinics and events located in all 8 Wards of the city,” said Andrew. 

All ages, levels, and abilities can find their place on the court with DC DPR. Plus, players have the opportunity to take advantage of free match play days to better their skills on the court. 

“We also offer, “Pop-Up” tennis and pickleball socials, adaptive tennis, after-school programs, community outreach, and more! The cost for our programs is one of the lowest in the nation for a high-quality program,” he added. 

The low-cost and easily available programming at DC DPR enables everyone in the DC area to come to try tennis. Because of this approach, they are seeing a growing demand for the sport. “It is important to keep growing the game of tennis and put DC on the map for exceptional programming! We are currently putting together an elite junior tennis team so kids living in DC have an opportunity to compete with some of the other great junior programs in the area,” Andrew said. 

Tennis is growing in the local community with the help of DCDPR

“USTA Mid-Atlantic has always been a huge supporter of DC DPR. It is great to partner with them,” said Andrew. 

Andrew offered this tip when seeking tennis in DC, “If you’re looking for tennis opportunities at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, make sure to look for the tall, bald, tattooed tennis director and come say hi! I am always looking to help players find their place on the tennis court.” 

In addition to DC DPR, here are a few other notable Parks and Rec providers located in the Section.

MONTGOMERY PARKS 

Similar to DCDPR, Montgomery Parks in Wheaton, Maryland offers tennis classes year-round. They operate two indoor tennis facilities that enable them to run plenty of tennis programs for all ages and levels. Their mission as a park and recreational facility is to balance the demand for recreation with the need for conservation. They strive to provide recreational activities while encouraging healthy lifestyles and providing a clean, safe, and accessible place. 

TOWN OF HERNDON PARKS & RECREATION

Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation in Herndon, Virginia set forward a goal to enhance the community by providing accessible and valued parks, facilities, and recreation programs. In 2020, tennis surged across the Section. The Mid-Atlantic tennis player is more likely to play at a public park or another venue versus any other location (2021 USTA Tennis Participation Report – Mid-Atlantic Section). With the continued growth of tennis in the area, they have expanded their programs to meet the interest level. One way they are growing the game is by opening their new indoor tennis facility on September 27, 2021. Plus, the outdoor courts will be open during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. 

Ladies playing tennis with DCDPR

Behind every community, there is a park and recreation department that helps bring happiness and joy to people. If you’re looking for ways to become engaged and join in tennis in your local area, make sure to check out your local Parks and Recreation. These local providers are supporting the growth of tennis in the Mid-Atlantic.  

The USTA Mid-Atlantic thanks Andrew Acquadro from DC DPR for taking the time to highlight their programs for the celebration of Parks and Recreation Month. 

Looking for more ways to get involved in tennis? Visit www.usta.com/midatlantic. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

USTA Mid-Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It’s committed to promoting the physical, social, and emotional health benefits of tennis. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

Creating More Opportunities for Play

The Building of New Tennis Courts with Safe Place to Play Grant

A story published in USA Today reported that tennis participation skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article references a study by the Physical Activity Council (PAC) that found that 21.64 million people played tennis in 2020. This is roughly a 22 percent increase in creating more tennis play from the previous year.  

Tennis is one of the few sports that allows you to play while maintaining a safe, social distance. Additionally, tennis helps you stay fit both physically and mentally; one of the greatest benefits of the sport is the way it brings people together. Tennis helps build communities by bringing people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities together. And is a sport that you can enjoy your entire life.

Now, imagine not having access to tennis because your community either lacks a tennis court or the courts are not safe to play on. Not having playable tennis courts available, communities miss out on all the benefits tennis has to offer. Overall, no one should be precluded from the sport because of the lack of resources. 

USTA Mid-Atlantic’s solution is our Safe Place to Play Grant. Our grant provides funds for tennis court construction and refurbishment in the Mid-Atlantic – often to communities in areas that need economic investment.

Creating safe places to play with the Mid-Atlantic Safe Place to Play grant

The Safe Place to Play Grant is creating more tennis play and supports communities in tangible ways. In the last three years, USTA Mid-Atlantic has granted nearly $70,000. These projects also include community outreach in the form of accessible and affordable tennis programming so that more people can learn and play the sport.

One such project to benefit from grant funds is in West Virginia. The Safe Place to Play Grant helped one community gain the first four tennis courts, ever, for the county. 

USTA Mid-Atlantic checked in with Ryan Fincham of Morgan County Tennis Association, a 2020 grantee in Berkeley Springs, W.Va. to see how their grant funds are impacting their community.

USTA Mid-Atlantic: What’s the status of construction?

Construction began in June 2020 and the courts are 99 percent completed. The courts will open to the public on March 1, 2021.

What types of tennis programming are you planning?

MCTA Board approving new courts with the Safe Place to Play grant

For almost a decade, the Morgan County Tennis Association has offered year-round youth tennis clinics for ages 4 to 14 either on two local courts in poor shape or in high school and church gyms. With the new courts, we are planning on continuing and expanding those programs.  Secondly, the courts will be used by the middle school and the intermediate school PE classes and the Berkeley Springs High School Boys and Girls Tennis Teams (that have been in existence for more than 15 years and have never held a home tennis match).  Finally, we plan to promote USTA Adult League play, as well as start Junior Team Tennis and host USTA sanctioned tournaments.

What do these courts mean to the community?

The courts have been a dream to many in the community for nearly 20 years. The community rallied around the project, and we feel the entire community is proud of the achievement. We think that many people will try tennis for the first time on these new courts.  

Creating safe places to play in Berkley Springs W Va.

For 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, USTA Mid-Atlantic was able to continue its work supporting communities. We awarded three organizations Safe Place to Play grant funding. 

Charles City County Parks and Recreation, Charles City County, Va

The goal of rural Charles City County is to grow tennis by improving the tennis infrastructure. They recognize that tennis is an individual sport that is ideal for our current times. Their award will fund refurbishing and restoring the Parks and Recreation tennis courts. Kimberly Barrow of the Charles City County Parks and Recreation states that through this project “we would be able to affect both the physical and mental well being of the community on a large scale.” The project is scheduled to start in spring 2021.

Lindale Middle School, Anne Arundel County, Md.

Lindale Middle recognized that tennis should be accessible to all – including those who have a disability. They received state grant funding to resurface their courts but will use the Safe Place to Play grant to create more accessible tennis courts. “Our school is a community school where many organizations utilize our facilities. We want to make it another option to gather and learn the game of tennis,” says Elena Thomas of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Their plan is to complete the entire project by fall 2021.

Rappahannock Community College Education Foundation, Warsaw, Va.

According to Kerry Wiersma of the Rappahannock Community College Education Foundation, their community’s vision is to create “a multi-generational gathering place that provides opportunities for healthy living and community engagement.” With that goal in mind, they built a joint initiative with the town of Warsaw, Richmond County, Richmond County Public Schools, and individual community donors to renovate and rebuild the tennis courts at the Rappahannock Community College. These tennis courts are the only tennis courts for the counties of Richmond, Westmoreland, Essex, and Northumberland and will be available for use by the community college, public school system, and the general population. Construction started in September 2020.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit, USTA Mid-Atlantic’s mission is to promote the growth of tennis. Quality tennis infrastructure in more communities is a key aspect of succeeding in the mission and vision of the organization. With more courts and by creating more tennis play, that means more lives and communities improve.

Your tax-deductible donations support this grant program. And supports changing lives by adding valuable tennis court infrastructure throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Make a donation today so that we can continue to offer Safe Place to Play grants.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1472806. All donations made to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

orange tennis racket beside green tennis ball

Start the New Year in Fresh New Gear

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Refresh Your Tennis Gear for the New Year!

The new year is almost here and soon 2020 will be in the rearview mirror. Now is the best time to refresh and upgrade your tennis gear for the new season. From racquets, string, and shoes – keeping your equipment fresh and updated can help you get the most out of your game.

One of the ways we thought we could help you is to uncover and round up the top trends in tennis gear that are on the horizon. So, USTA Mid-Atlantic checked in with two of our partners, Smith Chaiyakan at  Mains and Crosses, a full-service professional racquet stringing service in Alexandria, Va., and Darrell Haines of Tennis Topia, a tennis shop in Rockville, Md. Not only do Smith and Darrell have their pulse on the hottest equipment in the Mid-Atlantic, all of the products mentioned below can be purchased at their respective shops.  

Refresh Your Tennis Gear with Tennis Topia

Racquets

Wilson Clash. For those of you who don’t follow Wilson Sporting Goods, the Clash is the latest offering from Wilson. According to Darrell, the Clash offers players an “arm friendly, flexible-framed racquet without sacrificing power or sweet spot.” In other words, this racquet is perfect for players who want to get more power from their racquets without risking arm injuries such as tennis elbow. The Wilson Clash comes in a range of options from the Clash 98 to the Clash 108 and even offers options for junior players. The Clash retails between $199 – $249.

If you are new to tennis and looking for a racquet, Darrell says that the Head Titanium Ti S6 is excellent for beginners. The Ti S6 is lightweight and has an oversized racquet head. This means that the racquet is easier to control and will be more forgiving of a mishit ball. The Ti S6 retails for $80. 

String

Restringing your racquet should be a regular part of maintaining the quality of your game because strings lose tension over time and this decreases performance. Smith and Darrell offer the following suggestions for string:

Refresh Your Tennis Gear with Mains and Crosses

Babolat Blast RPM – the best selling string in the world and the string of choice for pro Rafael Nadal. This string offers players spin, durability and playability.

Solinco Hyper G and SolincoHyper G Soft – is a co-polyester string designed to offer more playability and control while allowing players to generate extreme power, spin and bite.

Tecnifibre Triax – According to Smith, the Triax has “performance and durability and is still soft enough for those recovering from tennis related injuries.”

String prices vary but typically start around $12.

Overgrip

There are so many options for overgrips on the market. However, Smith noted that  Tourna Grip is enjoying a popularity spike. It is an overgrip that professional tennis players such as the Bryan Brothers and John Isner choose. Tourna Grip offers a dry, comfortable grip and is able to accommodate all types of players. Tourna Grip retails starting at $5. 

Shoes

According to Darrell, the trend in tennis footwear is a shoe that offers “out-of-the-box comfort.” Additionally, more players are looking for shoes that are as light as a running sneaker with the durability of a traditional tennis shoe. Many brands offer footwear that meet this need and Nike is still one of the best selling brands. However, the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 is the best selling shoe at Tennis Topia. The Hypercourt Express 2 is engineered to be supportive, stable, comfortable and durable. These shoes retail for $105.

Masks

As indoor tennis season is upon us,  players may need to wear a mask while visiting indoor tennis facilities and possibly during tennis play. Darrell  suggests Zensah Sport Performance masks. These masks are designed to be comfortable, breathable and no-slip – perfect for playing sports. Zensah masks retail for $16.

USTA Mid-Atlantic thanks Smith and Darrell for all of their excellent advice. Follow them on social media to continue to get updates on the latest in tennis gear. You can find Smith and Mains and Crosses on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.  Darrell and Tennis Topia can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Don’t forget, USTA Mid-Atlantic’s 12 Days of Gifting! You can join in the fun by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Serving Off Court: Gearing Up With TennisTopia

Excitement is building in the Mid-Atlantic as tennis players are getting out more and more to play. Over the last few weeks, USTA Mid-Atlantic teamed up with local business owners on our  #ServeItForward business list for info that can help you get back on the court. So far, we shared fitness tips from LaRue Cook, owner of LEC Fitness, and a healthy recipe to fuel your body from Corey Kuck, owner of Catering By Corey. 

Now, we turn our attention to tennis gear and caught up with Darrell Haines, the owner and founder of local Mid-Atlantic tennis shop TennisTopia. 

A Michigan native, Darrell was introduced to tennis by his dad who managed a tennis club and supported Darrell in his love for tennis. Growing up, Darrell played junior competitive tennis tournaments and eventually went on to play for Ferris State University in Michigan. While at Ferris State, Darrell majored in Professional Tennis Management and Marketing. After college, he eventually landed in Montgomery County, Maryland and opened TennisTopia in Rockville, Md., in 2006.

What Darrell loves most about TennisTopia is connecting with people. From competitive players to those just starting out, Darrell enjoys learning about his customers and then helping them select the right tennis gear that is suited to their needs and play – a highly personalized approach. He also loves the diversity of tennis and how tennis can bring people together. 

In our conversation with Darrell, we chatted about tennis gear and the services that TennisTopia offers. 

USTA Mid-Atlantic: What are a few unique products or services that your shop offers? 

Darrell Haines: We offer while-you-wait racquet restringing services. We have two professional stringers that have both strung on the pro tour. In fact, one of the stringers is one of the few stringers in the world to string three of the four grand slams in the same year.

Stringing really can make a difference for someone depending on their level of play. When you have a bad string job, you can really tell the difference. It is our stringing services that set us apart from other shops.

We also offer one-to-one customer service and our staff is very knowledgeable about our products. The goal of every staff member is to help players choose gear that is best for them, no matter what their level of play is. 

As we return to play, what are your top 5 items everyone should have in their tennis bag?

First and foremost, everyone should definitely have their mask and hand sanitizer, but apart from that, I recommend having an extra racquet so you have a backup. You never know when you might break a string or have something happen to the grip. 

Next, I recommend having an extra pair of shoes for after you play. Fourth, I recommend having wristbands. Wristbands are great to help absorb extra sweat and to keep the sweat from getting on the racquet. Finally, keep extra tennis balls in your bag. 

What are a few tips for taking care of your gear – especially after a prolonged absence from tennis?

After not playing for a few months, I highly recommend that everyone restring and regrip their racquets. Regular restringing helps keep your game consistent. I would recommend restringing your racquet twice a year. Also, it is important to replace grips because good grips help you from gripping the racquet too hard which can lead to tennis elbow. Lower level players often undervalue the power of a newer string job and what a new grip can do for your play and technique. Those two things really do make a big difference on your play.

Any final thoughts about getting back on court?

People are getting back to playing tennis and it’s so nice to see. It really is a lifetime sport.

As a valued partner of the #ServeItForward campaign, TennisTopia is offering 10% off all purchases with promo code: MAS10 and all online orders of $50 or more are eligible for 2-day free shipping. Visit the store in-person in at 827-A Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD or check out their online store!

USTA Mid-Atlantic invites everyone to continue to #ServeItForward both on and off-court, and get involved in helping to support tennis in the Mid-Atlantic Section.  Learn more about how you can #ServeItForward and support the USTA Mid-Atlantic, a non-profit organization, as we bring the healing power of tennis to our Mid-Atlantic community.