1 2 3 1 / LACOSTE 2 / LACOSTE 3 / TORY SPORT Tracksuit Pleated Tennis Skirt V-Neck Tennis Dress • PRICE: $250 • PRICE: $90 • PRICE: $195 • WEBSITE: lacoste.com • WEBSITE: lacoste.com • WEBSITE: toryburch.com Crafted in shiny fabric, this sweatsuit The flowy design of this lightweight, The V-Neck Tennis Dress harkens features a zip jacket with a colorblock all-over pleated skirt affords ease of back to iconic, elegant 1970s sportswear. design, stand-up collar and contrast movement and a great look when moving Fitted, fully lined and with a drop waist, mesh lining. 3D Lacoste Sport lettering is around the court. The skirt is made with a it’s made from performance jersey displayed on the back. The solid color tough, breathable, ultra-dry stretch knit (polyester-spandex blend) with a drawstring pants have contrast piping to stand up to the toughest matches and silky-soft feel. Breathable, moisture- and zip leg bottoms. conditions. Built-in shorts and a forgiving wicking fabric has great stretch and waistline, adorned with the green recovery for match play. crocodile, completes this mix of comfort and performance. M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 4 9
4 6 5 4 / BOAST 5 Polo and Shorts 1973 Polo Warm Up Jacket • PRICE: $65/$50 • WEBSITE: fila.com • PRICE: $95 • PRICE: $140 • WEBSITE: boastusa.com • WEBSITE: boastusa.com Fila’s Heritage collection features the brand’s classic colors infused with bright A contemporary take on the original Inspired by the players and style of the green and blue. The fabric offers 50+ UV polo shirt that made Boast a country-club ’70s, this warm-up jacket is made from a protection as well as wicking, breathable staple. Upgraded with 100% Peruvian Pique Tricot fabric (51% cotton/49% and anti-odor properties. The Heritage Pima Cotton, it features a two-button polyester). The stitched down contrast Polo has striped taping at the inside of external placket, taped seams, split double-layer arm taping and white the neck and a printed chest tape in a tennis tail vents, signature grosgrain enameled YKK zippers are nods to early contrasting color. The Heritage Short has detail and embroidered leaf logo sportswear, when both were standard front pockets, an 8” inseam and is (Japanese Maple). It’s available in Boast’s issue. The jacket, pictured in Boast Red, available in navy and white. (Also core Ivy Heritage inspired colorways: is also available in Bright White and Navy pictured: Fila Axilus 2 Energized shoes.) Bright White (pictured), Black, Boast Red, Blazer. Each colorway has a matching Navy Blazer, Ivy Green and Athletic Grey. warm-up pant sold separately ($125). 5 0 TENNIS.COM MAR/APR 2019
7 8 9 7 / TORY SPORT 8 / K-SWISS 9 / K-SWISS Sleeveless Tunic Top Grind Cropped Tape Fleece Crew Hoodie • PRICE: $125 • PRICE: $60 • WEBSITE: toryburch.com • PRICE: $60 • WEBSITE: kswiss.com • WEBSITE: kswiss.com The Sleeveless Tunic Top is a sporty A modern blend of classic collegiate play on the brand’s signature silhouette. Exuding class and comfort, the Grind and contemporary court style, the Crafted from tech piqué (100% polyes- Cropped Hoodie is a cozy top that brings K-Swiss Tape Fleece Crew offers warmth ter), the performance style features classic athletic heritage to contemporary and comfort for all lifestyles. Made of a striped knit tape detail with an embroi- tastes in a blended cotton-poly core fleece, cotton-poly mix, it’s adorned dered logo patch. Breathable, moisture- construction. K-Swiss heritage branding with throwback K-Swiss branding in bold, wicking material is designed to promote is a nod to the brand’s iconic tennis roots, block coloring, and includes an embroi- ventilation to keep you cool and dry. while an oversized hood provides dered patch on the sleeve. Flexible fibers provide comfort, mobility additional protection from the elements. and shape retention to give a sleek fit. M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 5 1
Whether it’s Roger Federer and the Williams sisters wielding Wilson frames en route to Grand Slam glory, or Rafael Nadal employing his Babolat to become one of the sport’s all-time greats, superstars are as identifiable by their racquet of choice as they are their accomplishments.
Tennis RACQUETS by Life VAN SIAS the Eventhemost successful pros switch their racquets. Here’s why—and why you may want to consider doing the same AP The same can be said about Novak Djokovic, who recently “It was a very important decision for me,” the 21-year-old began his 10th consecutive year playing with a Head frame Djokovic said. “As I said before the tournament, it takes time in triumphant style, winning his seventh Australian Open mentally to make this switch.” and 15th Grand Slam title. Before this decade of dominance, Djokovic swung a Wilson, which he used to win his first It would be nearly three years before Djokovic won major title at the 2008 Australian Open. A year later, the another Grand Slam title. While some health issues held him Serbian set off to defend his title in Melbourne with a Head back during that stretch, it’s also nearly unprecedented for racquet, after signing a lucrative endorsement deal with the a player to immediately claim the game’s grandest prizes as American company. they adjust to a new frame. So, why do the pros switch? M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 5 3
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Nadal, who has swung a Babolat racquet since he was a junior, has won 11 French Open titles with the French frames. Federer recently switched from Nike to Uniqlo in the apparel department, but he has always brought a Wilson racquet on to the court. AP; GETTY IMAGES In professional tennis, players Agassi was lured away by Head a 1 operate as independent contrac- year later, and won seven more tors. If an advantageous opportunity majors during a Hall of Fame career. minute clinic arises through endorsement deals at what they consider the right moment Whenever there’s change, there’s Just because a racquet is in their careers, the likelihood of a measure of risk involved. But aside in a world No. 1’s hands making a stick switch increases. from the lure of riches, the oppor- doesn’t mean it should be tunity for a bigger payoff in the long in yours. Djokovic’s and Such was the case in 1989, when run is also a factor players consider. Osaka’s frames are tuned Andre Agassi agreed on a five-year, multimillion-dollar deal with Donnay, “I think players are always trying like a fine piano to fit the Belgian brand that equipped to find any advantage that they can, their specific needs—the Bjorn Borg as he won 11 Grand and so any small tweak could mean same frame in your local Slam titles. Struggling with the new another win at a Grand Slam,” says frame at first, the young American Seth McKinley, the sports marketing pro shop won’t be like was rumored to have painted over manager for Babolat. “They’re trying theirs at all, except for his Prince Graphite racquets as he to find any edge, and it’s our job as the brand and cosmetic tried to maintain his place among the their equipment partner to help them decor. That’s not to say game’s top tier. with that.” the standard-issue frame won’t suit certain players The next year saw Agassi reach The pros are a different breed of well, but you should demo the first two Grand Slam finals of client, adds McKinley, and even with a range of racquets, not his career. In 1992, the Las Vegas switches and upgrades from the just those you see on TV. native won his first Grand Slam title, same manufacturer, they try to be as at Wimbledon, which Borg won five attuned to their frames as possible. M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 5 5 consecutive times. “I think players are always asking: With one of the more enviable can I tweak something in my equip- endorsement portfolios in sports, ment to make me stronger, whether it’s even adding a couple of grams to
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Yonex equips the sport’s hottest star, Naomi Osaka, winner of the last two Grand Slams. Novak Djokovic and John Isner couldn’t have more different playing styles, and the characteristics of their Head and Prince frames reflect their disparate games. the racquet? Most people wouldn’t RECREATIONAL TECH feel that, but to a lot of these play- ers, that’s a big difference.” Should You Make The Switch? AP; GETTY IMAGES Before the 2019 season, Jean- Anyone who’s ever hit “With juniors, I tend to options, but it’s crucial to Christophe Verborg, international a forehand can’t help ease them into a player’s put a racquet through the sports marketing director for Babo- but be transfixed by the racquet,” he says. “I start rigors of match play as lat, adjusted the strings on Dominic feats that the professionals them off with something opposed to just knocking a Thiem’s racquet to help him hit a pull off with their racquets, that generates more spin. ball back and forth. heavier ball. In Florida, the up-and- which look like magic As they get older and comer Felix Auger-Aliassime was wands in their hands. But develop more muscle, they’ll “People get in the making similar tweaks. while Grand Slam glory is transition to a frame that rhythm of hitting,” he says. unattainable for all but the offsets the change: instead “I recommend getting out Thiem began playing with Babolat absolute best, that doesn’t of hitting the ball two feet there and playing a set to in 2014, not long before solidify- mean you shouldn’t be out, it’ll come back to a put the racquet through all ing his place inside the ATP Top 20, willing to experiment with couple of feet in.” types of conditions.” while Auger-Aliassime has been your equipment to get the swinging Babolat frames long before most out of your game. It’s usually a different With modern racquet joining the professional ranks. Their Brian Jordan, director of process for adults, Jordan technology, Jordan says lengths of time with the company tennis at the Grand Hotel finds, as they’ve grown players shouldn’t hold back pale in comparison to its most in Fairhope, AL, works more accustomed to the if they feel their game needs famous endorsee, Nadal, who has with a variety of players, type of racquet they feel something extra—citing the played with Babolat racquets since from high-school athletes comfortable with. fact that many professionals he was 11 years old. It’s a model to top-ranked juniors to are always looking for a used by many racquet companies, adults and club players “Adults tend to keep their similar edge. who scout the junior ranks and competing in leagues. When racquets, and experiment tournaments to establish long-term he’s developing a player, he with types of string and “Federer, Nadal, Djokovic: relationships from an early age. monitors and adjusts their different tensions,” he says. All three of those guys have frames as they get older. made a switch,” he says. If players are looking “There’s no reason the to switch frames, Jordan average player shouldn’t be suggests demoing different willing to switch, too.” M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 5 7
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Kevin Anderson’s late-career success has been a delight to Dunlop, which he signed with in 2014. Serena Williams, runner-up at two Grand Slams in 2018, continues to take her Wilson racquets into the later rounds of the game’s biggest events. Wilson’s partnerships with Federer Babolat Canada before that. When season’s year-end Top 10, with the exceptions being Sloane Stephens, and the Williams sisters are other we can do that, we can build that Naomi Osaka and Daria Kasatkina— using frames from Head, Yonex and famous examples. relationship and hope they can stay Tecnifibre, respectively. Those three players have been among the WTA’s McKinley and Verborg—who also with us their entire career.” breakout performers over the past two years, winning multiple titles works with Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Among the players that ended and, in the case of Stephens and Osaka, Grand Slam trophies. and Caroline Wozniacki—will be 2018 inside the ATP Top 10, the one As they continue their ascents in attending some of the most presti- that most recently switched racquet the sport, could these rising stars be lured away from the racquets that gious events on the ITF junior circuit manufacturers was Kevin Anderson. helped get them to where they are now? It’s a purely hypothetical The South African, question, but one that will very likely be asked someday. “They’re trying to find who has reached Grand Slam finals in Each of those players are young enough to be able to go through an any edge, and it’s our each the past two adjustment period, if needed. They job as their equipment years, signed with may not switch racquets at all. But if Dunlop in 2014 after there are any concerns about making a successful transition, they can look partner to help them playing with Head. to Agassi and Djokovic for proof that Like his longtime a new frame can really work out in the long run. with that.” rival John Isner, Anderson is the sole M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 5 9 representative for a to look for the next generation of particular racquet brand in the potential racquet relationships. upper reaches of the tour rank- “It’s better for us when we can ings. In Isner’s case, the top-ranked AP; GETTY IMAGES sign those players young, like we American has been playing with did with Nadal,” McKinley said. Prince throughout his entire career. “Felix, he’s been with us internation- On the WTA tour, Babolat and ally since he was 12, and even with Wilson frames permeated last
Tennis FITNESS Life The In two recent Game studies, tennis players were shown to live longer lives than people who played any other sport. How can the game use that to its advantage? of Bill Lipton liked what he saw when he opened his New York Times one morning last fall. Lipton turned 50 in 2018, and he had recently picked up his racquet after a 33-year hiatus from tennis. Over those three decades, this former high-level ping-pong player, who describes himself as “tenacious” when it comes to anything sports-related, had taken up running, rowing and weight training. But after all of that stress and strain on his body, Lipton found he was happiest chasing down tennis balls on the soft Har-Tru courts at his local club. Now the Times was telling him that he may have made the right choice, at the right age. Life “THE BEST SPORT FOR After controlling for education, wealth and age, researchers found A LONGER LIFE? TRY that people who played tennis added TENNIS,” a headline in the an average of 9.7 years to their lives, paper’s Health section read. compared to 6.2 for playing badmin- ton, 4.7 for playing soccer, 3.2 for The subsequent article went on to report the details of a new study out jogging and 1.5 for those who worked of Denmark. Among 8,600 out in health clubs. These numbers adults who were followed echoed the results of a 2017 study of for a 25-year period, those 80,000 British men and women, which who played tennis lived significantly found that adults who played racquet longer than those who were sed- sports lived longer than runners. entary. That was hardly a surprise; These statistics have begun to exercise has long been linked to make the rounds, and have caught the increased longevity. The shock to attention of the USTA. many was that tennis players also “We’ve got to get the word out,” says lived longer than other adults who Kurt Kamperman, CEO of the USTA were regularly active. National Campus in Lake Nona, FL. 6 0 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9
by STEPHEN TIGNOR
Whether you’re playing an opponent in singles or teaming up for a doubles match, tennis’ built-in social component is a benefit all its own. First, though, a word of caution. intensity appear to be superior to out that in trying to pummel your As Steven Salzberg, a Johns continuous moderate physical activ- opponent into submission—all in Hopkins professor of biomedical ity for improving health outcomes,” good, friendly fun, of course—you engineering, wrote in Forbes, “This they wrote. may be helping your own psychologi- was an observational study, based cal well-being. on surveys of people’s behavior over Tennis also forces its players to a 25-year span...It might be that exercise a variety of muscles in the “Belonging to a group that meets people who play sports are generally upper and lower bodies, while at the regularly promotes a sense of healthier, and that leads to longer same time taking less of a physical support, trust, and commonality” life and allows them to play more toll than running. the Denmark study’s authors noted, sports.” “which has been shown to contrib- Emotionally, tennis has something ute to a sense of well-being and It may also be that the socioeco- that no other solo activity can offer: improved long-term health.” nomic backgrounds of tennis players a built-in social component. It turns are just as important to their health In tennis, players work out strate- as the sport they play. Tennis has gies, either on their own or with traditionally attracted an upper-class doubles partners. They engage oth- clientele, and greater longevity is ers competitively and cooperatively. increasingly correlated with greater They form new social groups off the wealth in the United States. court where the stakes are lower and less stress-inducing than they Taken together, though, the are in their work and home lives. The British and Danish studies suggest a circumscribed, leave-it-all-on-the- pattern, one that came as something court competition we get from tennis of a surprise to their authors, who wondered: Why tennis? While the sport is not as aerobically taxing as some others, it has benefits that are both physical and emotional. For one, the Denmark study’s authors speculated that tennis’ quick-burst, anaerobic workouts may have lasting advantages. “Short, repeated intervals of higher Researchers found that people who played tennis added an average of 9.7 years to their lives, compared to 3.7 for cyclists, 3.2 for joggers and 1.5 for those who worked out. 6 2 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9
allows us to escape from the real This information probably won’t Among potential older recruits, competition we face in our day-to- come as a surprise to longtime play- though, tennis has a new rival: day lives. ers. Calling tennis “the sport for a pickleball. A cross between tennis lifetime” isn’t just a promotional slo- and ping-pong, played with a wiffle “For both mental and physi- gan: there are very few other activi- ball and a paddle, the game has cal well-being and longevity, we’re ties, let alone physically challenging enjoyed a 64 percent increase in understanding that our social con- activities, that have regular national participation since 2010. nections are probably the single- and international tournaments for most important feature of living a people in their 80s and 90s. But can The name may sound funny, but long, healthy, happy life,” Dr. James health and longevity be used as a pickleball has an obvious appeal to O’Keefe, a cardiologist at St. Luke’s selling point to bring in new players? an aging population: players don’t Mid America Hospital in St. Louis, have to cover as much ground as and one of the Denmark study’s “What we’ve seen recently are they do in tennis, and its focus on co-authors, told Time last fall. “If people who went away from the doubles means it’s a naturally social you’re interested in exercising for game, maybe in their 20s when they activity. The combination has helped health and longevity and well-being, were starting families, who have make it the sport of choice among perhaps the most important feature come back to it in their 40s and many retirement communities of your exercise regimen is that it 50s,” Kamperman says. “That’s when around the country. should involve a play date.” people look for a healthy activity they can continue to do, and is where Rather than a threat, though, “Any exercise is better than none,” these longevity studies are a strong Kamperman sees pickleball’s rise as O’Keefe said, “...but when our physi- selling point. Tennis gives us a game an opportunity. cal activity also allows us to play, it to play, and a community to join.” basically magnifies the benefits.” “People who play pickleball have learned to love a racquet sport,” M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 6 3
It doesn’t take much to play tennis—a racquet, a ball, a court and an opponent—but the sport gives back plenty: physical exercise, mental stimulation and a way to relieve stress. From baby boomers to millenials, the game is truly the sport of a lifetime, and of generations. Kamperman says. “We feel like we years about the dangers of contact Now that’s he’s back on the can use that as a way to get them to sports like football and hockey, and courts, Lipton brings his 5-year-old take the next step and try tennis.” even soccer with its headers. daughter, Ora Luz, along with him. And what about young people? “Health and safety are bigger “I’ve given her a few lessons and For decades, tennis has battled issues for young athletes and their she’s loved them,” he says. “My goal sports and fads from soccer to parents than they’ve ever been is to expose her to a bunch of differ- Fortnite in its search for a way to before, and we think tennis is posi- ent things and see where her loves draw in children. Will the prospect tioned to take advantage of that.” and aptitudes are. of a longer, healthier life swinging a tennis racquet have an appeal to For Lipton, tennis has been the “Tennis is on that list because it’s the multi-tasking, hyper-scheduled perfect activity to rediscover at 50, a sport where a kid can learn disci- youth of today? and potentially to pass along. pline, how to lose and how to win, and get in the habit of being in good “We think that millennial parents “My dad always said tennis was a physical condition. That it might also will be an asset,” Kamperman says. great sport to age with,” he says. “I help you live longer only reinforces “These longevity studies dovetail took 30 years off and returned in no those positive aspects.” with what we’ve all been hearing for small part because of that advice.” If nothing else, these longevity The circumscribed competition studies are a timely reminder of we get from tennis allows us to tennis’ positive effects on our lives: escape from the real competition the longer we play, the longer we may we face in our day-to-day lives. live, and the longer we live, the longer we get to play tennis. 6 4 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 If that can’t convince someone to pick up racquet, it’s hard to know what can.
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Tennis COMPETITION Life The goal of Universal Tennis Rating is both simple and ambitious: measure every player’s ability along one scale Standard The Jack Kramer Club in The event offered a modest, recent matches over the past 12 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, where $30,000 purse. The highest seed was months, on a numerical scale rang- legendary coaches such as Vic then-ATP No. 33 Steve Johnson; the ing from 1.00 (raw beginner) to 16.5 Braden and Robert Lansdorp winner was then-ATP No. 51 Sam (Novak Djokovic territory). It is based helped shape the nascent games Querrey. Mardy Fish and Tommy on the quality of the opponents and of Open-era icons including Haas, whose tournament-playing the score differential—competitive- Tracy Austin, Pete Sampras days are behind them, were among ness—of matches, rather than sim- and Lindsay Davenport, added the other notable competitors. ply wins or losses. It is blind to age or another significant chapter to gender. Any match between players its legacy last December. It What was so historic about it? registered with UTR can be tracked hosted the inaugural California For one, it was perhaps the most as long as UTR is provided the data, Championships. “open” of all tennis tournaments either by the players or tournament. ever staged. Over the course of a More than a million players already hectic week, 269 recreational and have UTR ratings, and UTR has pro- professional players competed in cessed over 10 million match results. the California Championships, using an orderly format and entry system “The possibilities with UTR are based on a new, disruptive technol- almost limitless,” says Manhattan ogy sweeping the game: UTR. Beach native Jeff Tarango, a former pro and California Championships Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) is an tournament director. algorithm-driven system that rates a player based on his or her 30 most At last year’s Miami Open, when 6 6 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9
by PETER BODO eni ESPN tennis analyst Brad Gilbert Official rankings in such a compet- of four matches at a junior tourna- ran into colleague Patrick McEnroe itively deep sport have always been ment were competitive. and McEnroe’s daughter, Victoria, a a perilous exercise. They were princi- highly skilled junior player, the first pally comprised in two ways: through Howell’s inspiration for UTR was a words out of her mouth to Gilbert the subjective evaluation and com- similar ranking system already used were, “So what’s your UTR?” parison of players’ performances in in France, with some data-based sanctioned tournaments; or on the modifications. He ultimately sold UTR UTR is not a coming thing. It is an basis of points earned, usually by the to a group headed by Silicon Valley already here thing. rounds reached in those events, as venture capitalist Mark Leschly, who on the ATP and WTA. played college tennis and recruited a Competitive tennis is like an enor- formidable group of investors includ- mous onion, with layer after layer of One drawback of such rankings ing tech powerhouse Oracle, Blue expertise. The weekend warrior who was that it favored players who Ridge Capital and Roger Federer’s annually dominates his club cham- were willing and able to travel to and management group, Team8. pionships enters a sectional USTA play many events, especially as the event and gets waxed in the second competition grew stiffer. The other Almost overnight, UTR has given round by the No. 7 seed, love-and- drawback was that, except for the tennis players something they have two. That player then can’t get a set top events, the skill levels of players never had: a simple, clear rating off of a solid Division I NCAA college was far too disparate. Virginia tennis system that, like a handicap in golf, player—who then can’t buy a win in pro Dave Howell, who launched UTR provides an objective, results-based an ATP Challenger qualifying event. in 2008, analyzed tournament results measure of one’s skill. That opens And so forth. and found that, on average, only one opportunities that had never before been available in tennis: level-based M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 6 7
Novak Djokovic (UTR 16.28 at the 2019 Australian Open) and Tennis Australia recently announced a partnership with UTR, which gives pro-tour insights. Ranked No. 1 in Melbourne, Simona Halep’s UTR (13.28) was less than Serena Williams’ (13.34); Williams won their fourth-round match, 6–1, 4–6, 6–4. competition; the chance to improve at their own level, and that makes “My kids are without traveling to distant tourna- a big difference.” crazy about ments; the ability to better your UTR. It lowers ranking even without winning (by In his winner’s speech, Querrey got a lot of barriers playing well against higher-rated to the heart of what made the event to getting opponent, in terms of games won) unique, and UTR’s impact on it. noticed and and a vastly expanded menu of tour- maybe earning naments from which to build ratings. “It’s fun to have everyone from a scholarship.” 8-year-olds to—I don’t know how With UTR-based entry, the Cali- old the oldest person was—play the “Say there’s a young Frances fornia Championships hosted 128 same tournament,” he said. Tiafoe out there, but he doesn’t matches on the first day, featuring have the $50,000 it takes to travel to players ranked as low as 2.96— “Tennis is a traditional sport, but tournaments chasing points in order roughly the equivalent of an NTRP it’s been held back because of it,” to develop a ranking,” Leschly says. men’s rating of 3.0. The early rounds says Leschly, the CEO of Universal “Now he can play locally across all were contested with Fast4 rules. Tennis. “We need to make some age and gender groups, develop a changes to grow the game because UTR and become eligible for a col- Using a staggered feed-in, play- we’re living in a digital world, lege scholarship.” ers with higher UTR ratings didn’t especially when it comes to kids. compete until the later rounds, as a We need to take advantage of tech Until UTR gained traction, way to ensure competitive matches and connectivity.” Leschly’s own son, an excellent from start to finish. After 223 total matches, the highest UTR level was Using tech and its reach isn’t just the champion Querrey’s, at 15.46. about fancy algorithms. It’s about empowering disadvantaged players, “It’s a great way to organize and broadening the pool of tournaments, run a tournament,” says Tarango. finding players for teams and intro- “The reverse [staggered] feed-in ducing a greater degree of certainty works great. It brings in players in to college recruiting. 6 8 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9
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UTR’s greatest impact may currently be felt in college tennis. Coaches have a standard rating to measure potential recruits against, and players have more opportunities to find comparable competition to better their skills and their rating, no matter where they live. college player, had trouble finding always guaranteed, but it’s much “We’re not here to change the ATP a decent group of practice partners harder to game the UTR system. or WTA rankings,” he said. “Theirs is close to home. With UTR, he learned based on point accumulation. Ours there was a pool of over 20 ideal More important, perhaps, is the is different. At the pro level we tell candidates nearby. As any club or way UTR can help players aspiring to an interesting narrative that compli- organization is free to host an official go pro with the ITF Transition Tour. ments the rankings. The ATP tells the UTR tournament, the opportuni- The pathway onto the ATP is now story of how far you went at major ties for a player to improve at little much narrower. tournaments in the last 12 months. expense grows exponentially. “The chance for a college player to “UTR is about how you’re compet- “My kids are crazy about UTR,” excel up through the game without ing, especially in relation to other says Kamau Murray, currently the wild cards is virtually non-existent players. Which seems better? It’s in coach of Olympic gold medalist on the transition tour,” Leschly says. the eye of the beholder.” Monica Puig. He’s also the CEO of “We’re trying to create a pathway XS Tennis, a well-funded program with UTR.” Leschly’s disclaimer doesn’t that targets the underserved youth change the fact that UTR features its of Chicago. “They love it. It lowers a The ATP and WTA Indian Wells pro ratings prominently on its home lot of barriers to getting noticed and tournament will not rely in any page. The ratings are similar enough maybe earning a scholarship.” substantial way on UTR—at least to the tour rankings to be relevant, not this year. But it almost seems different enough to be compelling. UTR may be having its great- inevitable that at some point it will. est impact in the collegiate game. Larry Ellison, the owner of the popu- In addition to the overall rating, As Leschly puts it, how is a coach lar March event, is an innovator. He’s each player has a three-month supposed to compare a player with also the founder of tech behemoth trending rating. In UTR, a slumping a high national ranking in Romania Oracle, which powers UTR. player isn’t living off points earned to a player from the always-strong nine months earlier, nor punished NorCal USTA section? The integrity People always ask Leschly if UTR when results from long ago drop off. of tournaments and rankings isn’t is “better” than the ATP rankings, or if UTR hopes to replace them. To be sure, a few aspects of UTR can and probably will be tweaked. 7 0 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9
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Steve Johnson was the highest-ranked ATP pro to enter the 269-player California Championships. But the winner of the event, which included players as young as 8 years of age, was Sam Querrey, whose UTR of 15.46 was the highest in the field. The rating doesn’t take playing contender. Pairing a senior player entry and social interaction. Think of surface into account, nor a player’s against a youngster of the same UTR Leschly as the Mark Zuckerberg of surface proficiency. Also, while UTR can provide an objective lesson in tennis, but 16 years older and wear- is blind to gender and age, a lack of maturity. That points to the over- ing a white polo instead of a hoodie. crossover play influences the rat- arching potential value of UTR as a ings. Serena Williams held a rating of tool for community building. The advantage Leschly’s company 13.28 at the start of 2019. She was may have over other digital ten- ranked No. 16 by the WTA, but rated Leschly didn’t acquire UTR and nis platforms is UTR itself. Players No. 2—a whisker behind then-WTA attract his string of heavy-hitting will gather because of the common No. 1 Simona Halep—in UTR. That investors just because he wanted to rating system, and from there, a rac- isn’t even in the Top 150 among give tennis a handicapping system. quet or tickets will be a click away. men’s UTR ratings. He plans to make UTR a platform for a full range of tennis-related activi- “We want to build a very large For Williams to significantly imp- ties, from shopping to tournament platform and become a destination rove her UTR, she would have to do where people can engage digitally,” well against more highly rated play- “We’re not here he says. “This is the Yelp, the ers—she would have to play men. to change the OpenTable of tennis.” ATP or WTA That notwithstanding, UTR has rankings. Theirs The effort is bearing fruit. The already been an age and gender is based on point California Championships was a barrier-busting technology. At most accumulation. landmark event, but it wasn’t a one- levels, the ratings produce competi- Ours is different.” off experiment. A UTR community tive matchups. If you’re a UTR 6.0, engagement platform was rolled out you can expect a good match against last July, featuring a fully-integrated a woman who plays Division III col- tournament and event management legiate tennis, a man with an NTRP of system, and it has already been the 4.0, a woman with an NTRP of 4.5 or host for 1,800 UTR events. a boys’ USTA sectional 14-and under Perhaps the acronym should stand for Universal Tennis Revolution. 7 2 T E N N I S .CO M M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9
Tennis ASK by Life NICK NICK BOLLETTIERI Running Bollettieri, a 2014 Hall of Fame Time inductee, founded the IMG Academy and coached 10 players that would go on to become No. 1. GETTY IMAGES To hit a great 1 shot on the move, your brain minute clinic must be as quick as your feet A great way to improve your running forehand I have a lot of trouble hitting have time, use a closed or semi-open is by practicing a simple forehands on the run—basically, stance; if you don’t have much time, drill: have a coach feed I can’t control the ball. What you’ll be forced to use an open stance. balls to your forehand, can I do to improve this shot? but position yourself all Third, maintain a balanced posture. the way in the opposite First, turn your shoulders and begin Last but not least, be sure to get the doubles alley. Vary your moving your racquet back as soon racquet head under the ball and hit the as you start running. To reach more outside of the ball. Anticipate and start starting points to difficult balls on the run, you’ll need to moving before the ball crosses the net, simulate a range of on- shorten your backswing. so you have as much time as possible the-run shots. You’ll be to prepare for the shot. in a full sprint each time Second, practice all types of stanc- This may sound like a lot to think and will naturally adjust es. The amount of time you have will about, but practice makes perfect. to the necessary timing. determine the stance you’ll use. If you Try to do multiple sets of 10 running forehands. 74 TENNIS.COM MAR/APR 2019
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Tennis DOUBLES Life GETTY IMAGES Opening Lack power on your Statements serve? Pace isn’t the only way to get a point by off to a fast start GIGI FERNANDEZ When you’re serving, adopt the attitude of a baseball pitcher. An effective 1 pitcher has usually mastered one or two pitches, and is able to constantly change the location and speed of each pitch. Most importantly, the minute clinic pitcher can do so with the same throwing motion so that the batter can’t tell which direction the ball is headed. It’s easy to draw a connection to Formations can disrupt how this can be valuable in tennis—especially in doubles. your opponents’ rhythm, Which areas of the court should I on their serves, everyone has a fast but your team needs look to hit my serves? Everywhere. and a slow serve. Using a second serve to be comfortable with Wide, deep, short and right at the as your first serve can throw off an them first. It’s important returner’s body—all of these serves opponent expecting something faster. to communicate with should be in your toolbox. Changing your partner before every the location of your serves creates Are there any formations that are formation so you both uncertainty for the returner. If you more conducive to holding serve? know where you’re going always hit the serve in the same area, The I-formation (when the net player is to move. Work on setting the returner will settle into a groove crouched down low) and the Australian up formations in practice and connect with clean swings. formation (when the net player stands and getting out of them upright, on the same side as the quickly, over and over What can I do to improve the server) are useful if the returner has a again, until it becomes effectiveness of my serve if my strong crosscourt return. These forma- second nature, so you’re accuracy isn’t great? Vary service tions will force the returner to hit down ready to do it in a match. spins and speeds—both are great the line. It also places the server on the ways to add an element of surprise. side with the groundstroke that they Though not everyone can change spin are most comfortable hitting. Fernandez, a Hall of Famer and former world No. 1 in doubles, won 17 Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals. 76 TENNIS.COM MAR/APR 2019
MENTAL EDGE GETTY IMAGES Then, walk slowly toward your thoughts about the score, the impor- Stress receiving position, take a very deep tance of the next point or winning the Relief breath or two, and deliberately relax match. These thoughts never disap- by ALLEN FOX, Ph.D as you let the air out. Don’t let your pear completely, but it is better to have Tennis matches are stressful. We all eyes wander toward your opponent, them in the rear view, rather than the want to win them, but the outcome is uncertain. But unlike all that can go other courts or onlookers. Look at front of your radar. It is also a method wrong in a match, rituals are entirely under a player’s control. Concentrating your strings, as Lleyton Hewitt used of putting yourself in a competitive on a simple, controllable and repeat- able sequence of actions reduces fear- to do, or at another neutral object in bubble, where you are not distracted or ful thinking and helps you relax. close proximity. When you reach your shaken by external events. To get an idea of how rituals work, try the following exercise: Hold your receiving position, begin to get yourself You should have a ritual for serving, index finger up in front of your eyes, about a foot away. Focus intently on it a little energized. You now have about too. Up until you reach your serving while moving it slowly up, then down, and then side to side. five seconds to get ready. Now, while you were focusing on Then, as your Make rituals a your finger, what were you thinking opponent prepares to about? The answer is, of course, your finger. The point is that your mind serve, mentally rehearse part of your tends to concentrate on one thing at a the keys to your return: winning strategy time, attenuating other thoughts. short backswing; relaxed On court, there is a helpful ritual I hands; weight forward. used when returning serve. First, feel nothing when a point ends—have no Open your eyes wide emotional reaction at all, whether you hit a great shot, missed a sitter, choked and focus on the tennis ball. Watch position, do the same things you would or got a bad call. This will keep you emotionally balanced as you start to it as your opponent bounces the ball do while returning serve. Once you prepare for the next point. before the serve. Visualize a powerful, get into position, take your time and deep return. Plan where you want to compose yourself. Activate yourself hit the ball, particularly on a second emotionally so that you are feeling serve. Recall the good feelings you’ve deliberate, aggressive and in a state had in the past when you stepped in on of relaxed excitement. Set your feet a return and forcefully drove it deep. properly and decide where and what Allow yourself to recreate the positive type of serve you will hit. Check that emotions you felt of strength, aggres- your arm and hitting hand are relaxed, sion and optimism. so that you will have the whip and feel Keep your eyes glued to the ball you need. Bounce the ball a comfort- and make sure you see it come off the able number of times, usually three or court on your side of the net. You have four, as you visualize a powerful, deep already prepared your stroke; your delivery. Then, let it fly. attention should now be on your eyes Feel free to modify either of these glued to the ball, and your emotions. rituals to suit your personal needs. You The rest will all be reaction. may have slightly different keys to Observing this simple ritual fills your success. But whatever they are, it’s mind with constructive thoughts, which best to settle on rituals that work for supplant—at least partially—troubling you, and use them every point. M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S .CO M 7 7
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Parting Shot It’s time for the pros to fetch eir own towels SHUTTERSTOCK No Sweat ballpersons must do whatever the tised by a celebrity in public. pros tell them. The most obvious—and What can be done? Here are a few by gross—example is towel-fetching. STEPHEN TIGNOR suggestions: (1) Hand out a code viola- It begins when a player makes a tion whenever a player disrespects or Last summer Tennis Channel re-ran face-wiping motion or jabs a finger in abuses a ballperson, the same way several classic Wimbledon finals. a ballperson’s direction. The kid, or umpires do when a player cracks a Among the best was the 1977 title sometimes adult, is obliged to pick up racquet. (2) Make players get their match between Bjorn Borg and Jimmy the player’s sweaty towel, convey it to own towels. These days, it’s standard Connors. As entertaining as their rallies him immediately—and then, after the procedure for players to demand the were, though, it was what the Swede player has made it even sweatier, have towel after they lose a point; it’s a and the American did between points it flung back in his or her face. Despite way of refocusing. But if they have to that was more amazing: whenever they the ick factor, and the unpleasant opt- retrieve the towel themselves, they’ll were thirsty, they walked over to a ics of pro-athlete privilege that come think twice about doing it when it’s not water cooler, picked up a cup, poured a with it, the process is widely accepted. essential. At the Next Gen ATP Finals in drink and drank it. 2018, the players fetched their towels Or it was, until Fernando Verdasco courtside; after a few grumbles, the Hard to imagine these days, isn’t took it too far last fall when he berated system worked fine. (3) Reiterate to it? Tennis has evolved, or devolved, a ball boy in Shenzhen for not arriving the players that the ballpersons aren’t to the point where players walk on with his towel fast enough. Video of obligated to do whatever they ask. court, plant themselves in a chair and the moment went viral, and Verdasco That doesn’t mean the kids won’t want demand all manner of accoutrements faced widespread condemnation. to help, but it shouldn’t feel like an —bananas, water bottles, ice packs, employer-employee relationship. restrung racquets, new shoes—that The Spaniard wasn’t the first pro the ballpersons nearby feel duty- to treat a ballperson like a disobedi- When tennis players walk on court, bound to deliver to them. ent servant. Players from the top of they carry their own bags. This ritual the rankings on down have growled has been celebrated as a throwback For too long, the sport has allowed “Towel!” at them; tossed empty water to a pre-celebrity age in sports. But if the relationship between players and bottles on court for them to pick up; they can haul their own gear before a ballpersons to go unregulated. At this and hit balls back at them when they’ve match, they should be able to get their point, it’s an unwritten rule that the tossed them too soon. own towels—and bananas, and water bottles and whatever else they need— Granted, competition makes athletes during it, too. If it was good enough for do angry, even crazy things. But the Borg and Connors, it’s good enough for more important fact is this: ballpersons today’s players, too. aren’t paid to be there, and they don’t work for the players. While they may not mind doing the pros’ bidding, no 8 0 TENNIS.COM MAR/APR 2019
2018 US OPEN B A C K-T O - B A C K 2019 AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION NAOMI OSAKA WORLD NO. 1
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