Tennis Briefs(4): Adams Named USTA President; TOPS’L ROGY

Fun, Music Headline TOPS’L ROGY Event on Panhandle

Music and games marked the TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort’s final ROGY Tennis (Red, Orange, Green, Yellow ball progression) “tourn-event” of the year on Nov. 15, 2014 in Miramar Beach, Fla.

“Even though winter has started a little early here in the Panhandle, the kids had a great time with some fun atmosphere,” said TOPS’L Director of Tennis Joe D’Aleo. “With music playing in the background it makes for a great time for the kids and parents, and improves there footwork depending on the song — the girls seems to always out-dance the boys!”

USTA Florida outgoing President Bob Pfaender was also on hand as a special guest, welcoming parents and participants.

Awards were presented for Best Serve, Fastest Feet, and Good Sportsmanship. Pros and volunteers assisting with the event included TOPS’L Head Pro Sam Vickroy, and S&P Tennis’ Melissa Young and Ken Petty.

D’Aleo stressed the importance of ROGY events and “fun” in young tennis players’ formative years.

“I look forward to another great year in 2015 working with USPTA Florida and USTA Florida,” he says. “With young 10 and under players throughout the state it is more important to have fun than be competitive in the early stages of their tennis careers.”

Kissimmee to Host 10 and Under Tennis Workshop in December

The Star Island Resort and Club in Kissimmee, Fla., will be the site for a USTA 10 and Under Tennis Workshop on Dec. 20, 2014 from 1-4:30 p.m.

“This is a great last chance opportunity for 2014 for teaching pros and others that work with kids age 10 and under to get on-court training,” said USTA Florida Recreational Tennis Coordinator Carla Williams. “Participants will learn how to utilize various age-appropriate components of the game including racquets, balls, nets, modified scoring, and more. Participants will learn games and activities for each skill and age division and take home a workbook that compliments the online courses.”

The Coach Youth Tennis website now serves as a prerequisite to becoming a certified teaching professional by the PTR or the USPTA. Coach Youth Tennis has been developed in partnership between the Professional Tennis Registry, the United States Professional Tennis Association, the United States Olympic Committee and the United States Tennis Association. The program consists of six on-line courses and a 10 and Under Tennis Workshop.

The workshop fee is $15, and Rita Gladstone will be the trainer for the event. Participants are asked to come dressed appropriately to participate in on-court workshops and to bring a racquet. The workshop is rain or shine, and participants must have a signed waiver.

To register go to www.CoachYouthTennis.com and click on the “workshops” tab and filter by state, or for further information contact Kevin Brandt at kevinbrandt@starislandtennis.com.

Adams Named USTA National President; 2 Fla. Reps. on Board

The USTA Nominating Committee announced the nomination of Katrina M. Adams as USTA chairman of the board, CEO and president to serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2015.

Adams has served on the USTA Board of Directors for 10 years and is currently completing a two-year term as first vice president. In her new role, Adams will become the first African-American and first former professional tennis player to serve as the association’s chairman of the board, CEO and president.

She is also a contributor on CBS Sports Network’s first all-female sports show, “We Need to Talk,” and serves as a television analyst for Tennis Channel. She is a contributor to Tennis Magazine and tennis.com, providing instruction articles and videos, and serves as the executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program in New York City.

Adams played for 12 years on the WTA tour, and was ranked as high as No. 67 in singles and No. 8 in doubles. She captured 20 career doubles titles.

In addition to Adams’ nomination, two individuals from Florida were nominated among the slate of new officers and directors of the USTA Board:

Fabrizio Alcobe-Fierro was nominated for his first term as director at large on the USTA Board of Directors. A lifelong tennis player, parent of competitive junior players and enthusiast, Alcobe-Fierro is senior vice president of Univision Networks at Univision Communications Inc., a media company serving Hispanic America.

Todd Martin, also of the USTA Florida Section, who was appointed to fill an “elite athlete” position vacancy on the USTA Board of Directors during the 2011-2012 term, was subsequently nominated to serve a full term 2013-2014, and is nominated again for the 2015-2016 term as an elite athlete and director at large.

Miami Charity Tennis Event Honors Sandy Teter

More than 64 woman “served” their community by participating in the Tee Off Fore Wellness Golf & Tennis Tournament, held on October 20, 2014 at the Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club in Miami.

The event is hosted by the Cancer Support Community Greater Miami (CSCGM), and included two doubles tournaments that raised money to fund free cancer programs for patients and their families at CSCGM.

“Within my 25 years of managing tennis events in Miami, it’s remarkable for me to part of a charity tennis event with such dynamic support,” said organizer Jane Forman. “It was wonderful to see 64 women of all ages and abilities come together for a day of action-packed tennis. These women came out in droves and fought for the Crystal Cup, all while supporting a great cause.”

Last year, the second event was created in memory of local tennis ambassador Sandy Teter, with the Sandy Teter Invitational Tournament paying tribute to her memory. Teter was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2013 and passed soon after in July of that year.