Tennis Briefs(3): Gimelstob Twitter Takeover; Diversity Camps, More

Gimelstob to Take Over USTA Florida Twitter Feed, Answering Questions on Monday from ATP Delray Beach

Join in on Twitter on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 from 10-10:30 a.m. when former ATP pro and current tennis commentator and coach Justin Gimelstob will take over the USTA Florida Twitter account, answering questions from fans.

Gimelstob will be answering questions live from the Delray Beach Open by Venetian Las Vegas where he is coaching John Isner and participating in the ATP Champions Tour event.

To participate, tweet your question, making sure to include #AskGimelstob. Then watch your notifications for a reply to your question. Coach Gimelstob will be answering as many questions as possible, time permitting.

Follow all of the questions and answers by doing a search for the hashtag #AskGimelstob on Twitter, or visit the USTA Florida Twitter channel (@USTAFlorida) for a live feed of answers.

USTA Florida to Host Regional Diversity Camps in 2015, Registration Open

Expanding from the tradition of one state-wide camp, USTA Florida in 2015 will host three one-day regional Diversity Camps in Daytona Beach, Weston (Ft. Lauderdale area) and Tampa.

The USTA Florida Diversity Camps are for junior tennis players between the ages of 13-18, and are designed to help players to improve their game, learn about college scholarship opportunities, tournaments, and learn the latest in sports science and physical training.

“It is exciting to be hosting three diversity camps this year to offer a great lifelong learning experience for the players,” says USTA Florida Player Development Coordinator Andy Gladstone. “Our philosophy is that by having three camps we can help more players throughout the state with their game, match play, and with their competitive and college career in the future.”

Players such as Sloane Stephens, Victoria Duval, Sachia Vickery, and former University of Florida standout Sekou Bangoura are just some of the Florida success stories that have benefited from the unique camp experience that not only prepares young players for college or pro tennis success on and off the court, but involves parents and their coaches in the process.

Junior players age 13-18 wishing to apply should be ranked in the Top 450 on the Florida Standings List and have a strong commitment to play college tennis. Players unsure of their level can contact Andy Gladstone at gladstone@florida.usta.com.

The cost for the one-day camp is $50.

Event details:

Daytona Beach Diversity Camp
June 27, 2015
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
9am-4pm

South Florida Diversity Camp
Sept. 12, 2015
Midtown Athletic Club (Weston, FL)
10am-5pm

Tampa Diversity Camp
Nov. 7, 2015
Tampa Tennis at HCC
9am-4pm

For more information visit: www.USTAFlorida.com/Diversity or for additional inquiries contact Maria Romo at romo@florida.usta.com.

One-on-One Doubles Adds New Rules to Include NTRP Levels

Quickly becoming known as the “third game of tennis,” One-On-One Doubles tournaments in Florida will now include new rules to include NTRP 3.5 and 4.0 players to compete with top-level players.

One-On-One Doubles is the half-court, serve-and-volley singles game played on the doubles court. Players must serve-and-volley on both serves or lose the point, and the returner can stay back or come in. The doubles alley is in play, and there is a divisible line through the middle of the court. All points are played crosscourt only.

Now for 3.5 and 4.0-level players, serve and volleying is not required, and players receive two points for a winning volley or a winning overhead. A winner is defined as a ball that the opponent cannot touch with his or her racquet.

“One-On-One Doubles Tournaments need a boost, in both its rules and scoring system, if it is to grow amongst the masses of NTRP players at the 4.0 level and below,” says organizer Ed Krass. “The two-point rule will make it rewarding for a player to venture into the net to make a winning volley or winning overhead. The game will also give a sense of comfort to the majority of baseliners who can work their way into the net on their own terms.”

All Men’s Open division tournaments for One-On-One Doubles will keep the mandatory serve-and-volley rule.

“I’m a big fan of One-on-One Doubles, it really helps players learn how to come in and become volleyers,” says USTA Florida Player Development Coordinator Andy Gladstone. “I’m even more excited to see the new scoring system reach the 3.0 to 4.0 players.”

One-on-One Doubles events offer players competitive tennis events held in a half day rather than an entire weekend.

“I’m thrilled to see fun, adult competitive formats such as One-on-One Doubles cater to the tennis masses by tweaking it’s scoring format,” says USTA Florida Director of Competitive Tennis Jason Gilbert. “What a great way to promote net play by providing an incentive for 3.0-4.0 players.”

Tournament directors interested in hosting One-on-One Doubles Tournaments can contact Ed Krass at oneononedoubles@yahoo.com or call (813) 684-9031.