2008 POC Masthead

News from World TeamTennis February 14, 2008
Rec players head to Vegas in April

Time is running out to sign up for the Las Vegas National Qualifier, April 18-20, 2008.  The deadline to register is April 4.  A special twist to this year's Las Vegas event is the Rec League Open Division Nationals will be held during the weekend tournament at Darling Tennis Center.

WTT Pro League logoWinning teams from local recreational leagues or corporate leagues are invited to participate along with players forming a team if they do not have a local league to play in. 

Sign up now by contacting Jennifer Smith at [email protected] or 800-TEAMTEN.
 
Regional competition will be held in six other divisions (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, Senior 3.5 & under, Senior 4.0) with the winners advancing to WTT Nationals, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 in Indian Wells, Calif.
 
The next National Qualifier is Feb. 22-24 in Bradenton, Fla.  Follow the results at www.WTT.com.

WTT adds pro team in Washington, D.C.

 

Tennis fans in the Washington, D.C. area will get to see World TeamTennis Pro League action this summer for the first time in the League's 33-year history. 

 

Washington KastlesLeague officials today announced that the Washington Kastles will play in WTT's Eastern Conference this summer.  The team, owned by an investor group led by local businessman Mark Ein, is expected to play in a downtown D.C. location.

 
Along with the other 10 WTT franchises, the Kastles will announce their official 2008 official schedule by the end of February.  The WTT Player Draft is set for April 1 and the regular season runs July 3-23.
 
For more information on the Washington Kastles, call

202-4-TENNIS (202-483-6647) or

visit www.WashingtonKastles.com.
Wilson Tip of the Month:
GET TO THE NET!

Wilson logo
By Tracy Almeda-Singian
 
Is your ground stroke game off, or do you find yourself going to the net just to shake hands?
 
Not any more.
 
Here are a few ways to improve your volleys.
 
Following these tips will help boost your overall game:
 
-- Keep the same grip.  For both the forehand and backhand volley, your grip should stay the same. 
 
For a solid grip, use an Eastern or Continental grip.  To find the correct grip, pretend that you are shaking hands with the racket.
 
-- Split step. A slight hop between shots will help you stay on your toes and be ready for the next ball.
 
-- Turn. For the volley, make sure you are always turned sideways.
 
-- Punch. There should be minimal motion with your racket and hands.
 
-- Keep your hands in front.  When volleying you must always be able to see your racket in front of your body.
 
The racket face should be at least equal with your front shoulder.
 
-- Move to the ball.  Thinking about keeping your elbows in will force you to move your feet towards the ball and in the process gives you more power.
 
-- Always recover to a ready position.  Make sure your hands and racket are up after hitting each ball.
 
A quick recovery leads to better preparation for the next shot.
 
Improving your net play will bring more variety to your game and keep your opponent guessing, so get to the net!!!
 
Tracy Almeda-Singian is a former WTA Tour Player, USPTA Professional, and current Grassroots Manager for Wilson Racquet Sports.
BUY GREEN TO LOWER YOUR IMPACT -
a "green" tip from FirmGreen

BUY GREEN TO LOWER YOUR IMPACT

Did you know?
  • The average person uses 700 lbs. of paper annually.
  • Using that amount of non-recycled paper requires cutting down 8 trees.
  • Multiply this by a whole office and you can see how it adds up to a lot of trees!
  • Got GreenA switch to 30% post-consumer recycled paper saves almost 3 trees; for an office of 100 people, that's more than 250 trees that are left standing!
  • The energy saved would power one average home for a year, and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking one car off the road for a year.*

Visit: www.whatsmycarbonfootprint.com/shop/ to find eco-friendly paper options and much more!

*data from Paper Task Force, a peer-reviewed study of the lifecycle environmental impacts of paper production and disposal

WTT names top league directors for 2007
 

2007 Top WTT League Directors (in alphabetical order)

Bob Cusolito - Woburn, Mass.

Scott Hanover - Kansas City, Mo.

Mike Hasan - San Diego, Calif.

Carol Jory - San Diego, Calif.

Orly Mayron / Ann Bent - Boca Raton, Fla.

Pat Purcell - Saint Louis, Mo.

Steve Riggs - Irvine, Calif.

Maggie Smethers - Landisville, Pa.

TCTA - Albany, N.Y.

Elaine Wingfield - Key Biscayne, Fla.

 

The Top 10 League Director list is based on:

1) # of participants that play in their leagues throughout the year.

2) # of teams that represent the local league at National Qualifiers.

3) Bonus points are awarded if the league director assists in getting a new league started.

New B�lle de M�tch discount
for WTT members, directors
Balle de Match 2007 logo

 

.

One of the many benefits to being a WTT Rec player or League Director is a special WTT discount from B�lle d� M�tch, the official apparel of World TeamTennis.

WTT Rec League Directors and players receive a discount on B�lle d� M�tch apparel when ordering through their Customer Care phone number (1-800-356-1021).

BdM top

    • WTT Rec League Directors and players will receive 30-35% off retail price.
    • More options in 2008!  This discount applies to all fashion and team apparel.
    • Discount is only applicable when buying via the B�lle d� M�tch Customer Care number at 1-800-356-1021.  Please identify yourself as a WTT Rec League Director or player to receive the discount.

BDM women jacketThe B�lle d� M�tch website (www.balledematch.com) is currently being renovated with a relaunch scheduled for the spring.  Until then, WTT League Directors and players can call the Customer Care number to request a 2008 B�lle d� M�tch catalog.  You can also view the apparel options online by visiting web retailers like Tennis Warehouse.com (www.tenniswarehouse.com).  However, please keep in mind that to order B�lle d� M�tch merchandise, you must call the Customer Care number at 1-800-356-1021.  Discount does not apply to online purchases.

MEMBER BENEFITS
 
Click
HERE to see the list of
2008 WTT member benefits.
 
 
In This Issue
Rec players head to Vegas
WTT coming to DC
Wilson Tip - Get to the Net
Go Green!
Top 10 League Directors
Balle de Match offer
Tennis Channel Open offers discounts to
WTT members
 
The Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas is offering WTT members a special discount off Stadium and Reserve Seat tickets to select sessions next month.
 
US Open 2007
 
Members can get $5.00 off Stadium & Reserve Seat tickets to Monday - Thursday day and evening sessions, March 3-6.  Buy tickets online at www.TennisChannel Open.com and use discount code LVTENNIS.
 
The ATP Tennis Channel Open runs March 3-9 at Darling Tennis Center.  The field includes WTT veterans Bob & Mike Bryan, John Isner, Lleyton Hewitt and many others.  For more details on the tournament, call 866.641.OPEN.
WTT SPOTLIGHT 
 
Harkleroad spotlight
Ashley Harkleroad
 (New York Sportimes) rallied the U.S. Fed Cup team to a win over Germany earlier this month.  The Fed Cup rookie won both her singles matches to lead the U.S. squad.  Lindsay Davenport (Sacramento Capitals) and Lisa Raymond (Philadelphia Freedoms) were also on the U.S. team.  The U.S. will face Russia in the semi-finals.
 
On the men's side, Mike & Bob Bryan (Kansas City Explorers) joined with Andy Roddick and James Blake to lead the men's U.S. Davis Cup squad to a win over Austria.  The U.S. faces France in the quarterfinals in April.
 

Photo:  Fred & Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

Pro Tour Results
2008 WTT

NATIONAL QUALIFIERS

    
Feb. 22-24

Bradenton, Fla.

  

April 18-20

(also includes Open Division National Finals)

Las Vegas, Nev.

  

July 18-20

Kansas City, Mo.

  

Aug. 22-24

Raleigh, N.C.

      

Sept. 19-21

Wilmington, Del.

 

Sept. 26-28

Irvine, Calif.

 

WTT Nationals:

Oct. 31 - Nov. 2

Indian Wells, Calif.

 

Contact

Jennifer Smith
at 800-TEAM-TEN or [email protected] 

with any questions.

 
Visit WTT.com for registration deadlines.

Presenting sponsor of World TeamTennis:

Advanta 2007 logo NEW

Official business credit card of World TeamTennis
Official Sponsors
Balle de Match 2007 logo
FirmGreen 2008 
Gatorade New Aug 2007
Geico 2007 logo
Wilson 2007 logo
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