Tennis Briefs(3): One-on-One Doubles, Tennis for the Blind, More

Avila Tennis in Tampa to Host One-On-One Doubles Tournament

A Tennis & Rockin’ Blues One-on-One Doubles event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2-3, 2015, at the Avila Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Fla.

“We are hosting the NTRP tourneys the night before the Men’s Open prize money tournament,” says organizer Ed Krass. “What makes this type of tournament electric is the rockin’ music that always plays during our tournaments.”

One-On-One Doubles is the half-court singles game played on the doubles court. All points are played crosscourt with the alley included. Players in the Pro Division (not NTRP) must serve and volley on all serves, and players are awarded two points for outright winners on volleys and overheads.

NTRP divisions for the Friday, Oct. 2 event will be 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5, and women can play one NTRP level up. The play format is round robin to guarantee at least two hours of play. The winner of the 4.5 division will receive a wild card into the main event on Saturday. Tennis, food and a live concert by Steve Arey and the Rockin’ Blues Band are included with the tournament fee.

The Men’s Open prize money event will be on Saturday.

“I got hooked playing One-On-One Doubles after trying it once,” said Mikael Pernfors, the former NCAA Division I singles champion, 1986 French Open singles finalist, and past event participant. “I think it is an excellent game for any player trying to become a better doubles player. I also feel that it is a wonderful way for juniors to develop a solid serve-and-volley game to be added to their baseline game.”

For more info go to http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=172234.

Tennis for the Blind Events, Masters Tennis in Southwest Florida

A series of free Tennis for the Blind events, utilizing the Masters Tennis short-court format, are being held in the late summer and fall at Rotonda Community Park in West Charlotte County, just south of Sarasota, Fla.

“The free program is designed to bring recreational tennis to those of the blind and visually-impaired community,” says organizer Dick Richards. “On Saturday, Oct. 10, in celebration of Columbus Day, a new discovery will be displayed in spatial awareness and tactile skills, important elements in the development of learning this recreational sport.”

No registration or fee is required to participate in the event. Richards, a USTA Florida Masters Tennis Ambassador for the area, says racquets and special sound-emitting balls will also be provided. The event is sponsored by the Cultural Guild of the Greater Cape Haze Peninsula and USTA Florida, in cooperation with West Charlotte County.

“Understanding that visually-impaired players, new to the game, returning or experienced, can play with the able-bodied allows all to mix and enjoy the challenges of the game,” Richards says. “Especially in impaired juniors sharing a sport with their parents. Tennis is truly the sport for a lifetime.”

The ongoing Garry Littlestar “Get Out And Play” Clinics include Tennis for the Blind and Masters Tennis. For more information or to find upcoming events check the USTA Florida event calendar at www.ustaflorida.com/events. To learn more about the Masters Tennis format go to www.ustaflorida.com/adulttennis/masters-tennis.

For more Tennis for the Blind event information, contact Richards at (941) 698-9480 or dodirichards@icloud.com.

USPTA District 4 Open Tennis Industry Meeting on Aug. 28

The USPTA Florida District 4 will host a Tennis Industry Meeting, open to the public, on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 from 12:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the RDV Sportsplex in Maitland, Fla., just north of Orlando.

Check-in begins at noon, and the event is free of charge and open to anyone who works in the tennis industry. Attendees must RSVP to USPTA District 4 President Conrad Cowan at conradcowan@yahoo.com, or text to (561) 317-1237.

Snacks and beverages will be provided, and USPTA members will receive one educational credit for attending.

Speakers will include USTA Florida’s Jason Gilbert, Ann Brown, Adelaide Wood on the USTA Florida 10 and Under Youth Tennis Tournament Pathway; Tobias Svantesson and Christine Ducey on the Mid-Florida Tennis Association; Tweet Coleman on Tennis Thanks the Troops; Scott Nunn and Jeni Roberts on the Ultimate Tennis Flex Leagues; Tom Sweitzer on Career Longevity; Derek Chaput on Customer Service; Robin Reynolds on Building Brand Identity; and more.

To register or for more info contact Conrad Cowan at conradcowan@yahoo.com, or text to (561) 317-1237.