Tennis Briefs(4): Miami JTT, Flex League, One-on-One Doubles Tourney

Miami-Dade Junior Team Tennis Leagues Starting Soon, Registration Open

The Miami Junior Team Tennis league is starting its first season of the year on Feb. 20, 2016, and will run until mid-March.

The league will feature divisions for boys and girls ages 6-18 at all skill levels. Registration is now open, and kids are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Junior Team Tennis leagues have kids playing on compatible teams of similar age and ability, with new formats introduced in 2016 for greater flexibility and more fun. USTA Florida is expecting to have more than 2,500 children participating in leagues this year in both local and regional events throughout the state.

Younger participants will receive credits and ranking points applied to the 10 and Under Youth Tennis Tournament Pathway in Florida.

“I am excited to start a new Junior Team Tennis season in the Miami area,” said USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator for the Miami-Dade area Cathy Nordlund. “It is a great opportunity for kids to have fun with their friends and meet new ones on the tennis courts.”

To find out more information about Junior Team Tennis, levels of play and details, visit www.ustaflorida.com/JTT. Additional information is also available at the USTA national JTT page at www.usta.com/JTT.

Florida Juniors, Bryan Bros. Coach Featured on ‘Inside Tennis with The Koz’

“The Koz” and Venus Williams

This Saturday’s ‘Inside Tennis with The Koz’ will share some insight into Florida’s Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, by chatting with their coach, former No. 8-ranked doubles player David MacPherson. Dave “The Koz” Kozlowski will also talk with current WTA world No. 4 Aggie Radwanska.

Featured junior players include William Shkrob, Mary Ann Rompf, Leti Pulchartova, Sara Benson, Alice Lotti, Sebastian Bucarion, and 10-year-old Little Mo player Cherysh Henry sharing what it was like meeting Venus Williams.

Also included will be a profile on Travis Ekert’s Next Generation Tennis Academy, including coaches Paolo Lotti and Jose Carlos Tolentino; a visit with TV broadcaster and tennis zealot Ray Collins; and a pro tip with Sarasota’s Bath & Racquet Director of Tennis Steve Getchell.

Catch Inside Tennis with The Koz on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. on SNN TV on the Suncoast of Florida, or watch the episode below online.

Play Florida’s Ultimate Tennis Flex League, Get $20 Gift Cards for Player Referrals

Ultimate Tennis flex leagues, which provide a flexible league schedule for working players or those just wanting more flexibility while playing leagues, are signing up now across Florida.

“Ultimate Tennis is perfect for working players that need an evening league option or a flexible schedule, and players that can’t find a team or that are looking for practice matches,” says organizer Scott Nunn. “Our singles and doubles leagues are the perfect non-threatening first-time league setting for new players, and also serve advanced players with high-level divisions.”

Players and teaching pros can also now receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card* for each player referral to the league.

Singles, doubles and mixed leagues are offered year-round in regions across Florida in regularly 5-7 week seasons. There are also morning and nights/weekend options in many leagues.

To sign up for a league or for more info go to www.UltimateTennis.com.

* Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this promotion. Except as required by law, Amazon.com Gift Cards (“GCs”) cannot be transferred for value or redeemed for cash. GCs may be used only for purchases of eligible goods at Amazon.com or certain of its affiliated websites. For complete terms and conditions, see www.amazon.com/gc-legal. GCs are issued by ACI Gift Cards, Inc., a Washington corporation. All Amazon copyrights are IP of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. No expiration date or service fees.

ESPN Wide World of Sports to Host Orlando-area One-on-One Doubles Tournament

The USTA Florida-sanctioned $1,000 Central Florida One-on-One Doubles Tournament on April 30, 2016 has changed venues, and will now be contested at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Tennis Complex.

“There will now be a Men’s Open division with $500 going to the winner, $250 to the finalist, $150 for third place and $100 for fourth place,” says organizer Ed Krass. “The tournament will start at 1 p.m. and finish by 5 p.m., and will be in played in first to four game, no-ad, short set round robin format. The winners of each court will then play in single elimination matches starting with the quarterfinals.”

All proceeds from the event will benefit the University of Central Florida men’s tennis program.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Tennis Complex is located in Kissimmee, Fla.

For more tournament information go to www.oneononedoubles.com.