|
Teams gear up for next WTT Rec League National Qualifier, July 18-20, in Kansas City
The Kansas City Explorers won't be the only team in Kansas City this summer battling for a national title. While the Explorers are looking to earn a trip to the WTT Pro League finals, recreational teams from throughout the U.S. will also be in Kansas City for the next WTT Rec League National Qualifier.
Action gets underway July 18 at the Plaza Tennis Center and continues through July 20. Registration deadline for the six divisions is July 4. Winning teams from each division advance to the WTT National Finals, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, in Indian Wells, Calif., where they will battle champions from five other qualifying events.
Contact Jennifer Smith at jsmith@wtt.com for more information or register online at WTT.com.
REGISTER NOW - click here
|
Wilson Tip of the Month:
PUT IT AWAY!!!!!
By Tracy Almeda-Singian/Wilson
One of the most under practiced shots is the overhead. Often times the toughest people to beat are the lobbers, wouldn't it be great to be able to end the point?
There are many parallels from sport to sport. Borrowing from some other sports here are a couple of tips you can use to improve your overhead:
Pretend that you are a football quarterback in the pocket. When moving back for the overhead make sure you turn your body sideways with your hands in a throwing motion. Keeping your balance and having your hands ready are both key to a good overhead.
Think that you are catching a fly ball with your non-dominant hand. Making sure your left hand (if you are right-handed) is under the ball assures a better point of contact. Make sure you are balanced and not hitting off your back foot.
Spike it like volleyball. Wrist snap is essential to a good overhead. Make sure that you make contact in front of your front shoulder, get your weight towards the court and snap! Make it a goal to have your overhead bounce just once before going over the fence.
This should be an aggressive shot that helps put you in an offensive position to end the point. The overhead is a great weapon to have in your arsenal. So the next time you hit the courts, remember to practice your overhead. Tracy Almeda-Singian is a former WTA Tour Player, USPTA Professional, and current Grassroots Manager for Wilson Racquet Sports.
|
Las Vegas Longshots capture 2008 WTT Rec League Open National Championship
Teams from six divisions advance to Finals in November
The Las Vegas Longshots of Las Vegas, Nev., (pictured at left) captured the World TeamTennis Rec League Open Division National Championship at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas. The Open Division Championship was part of the WTT Rec League National Qualifier. Rob Kinas captained his Longshots to their second consecutive Open Division title with a 5-0 round robin record. Kinas was joined on the team by Jennifer McGaffigan, Raleigh, N.C.; Linda Tran, Flint, Mich.; and Catrina Thompson, Erica Fisk, Gordon Hammond, Alex Sugai, Mark Swanson, Derek Brooks, and Devin Luzod, all of Las Vegas, Nev. For most of the teams, the weekend event was a qualifying tournament to earn their way to the National Finals in November. Recreational tennis teams from California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and Puerto Rico also won regional titles and will advance to the WTT National Finals, on Oct. 31-Nov. 2, in Indian Wells, Calif., where they will battle champions from five other qualifying events. The Las Vegas qualifier is the second of six WTT Rec League qualifying events. The next WTT National Qualifier will be July 18-20 in Kansas City, Mo. Other qualifiers will be held this year in Raleigh, N.C.; Wilmington, Del.; and Irvine, Calif.
For full results from the Las Vegas National Qualifier, click HERE.
|
GREEN TIPS FROM FIRMGREEN

Considering solar? Today, more than 200,000 homes across the USA take advantage of the sun's energy to reduce or eliminate their monthly electric utility bill.
Fact: you gain an estimated $20 in home value for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills* - without raising your property taxes!
Solar economics depend on local factors such as sun strength, electricity prices, state incentives and net metering policies. To find the most recent information on programs for all 50 states, visit The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) at www.dsireusa.org Aside from state incentives, federal investment tax credits are available for residential photovoltaic (PV) installation and for commercial systems.
FirmGreen is helping facility owners reduce the environmental impact for their property and lower operating costs with solar energy. Find out more at: www.firmgreenenergy.com.
* data from National Appraisal Institute
|
MEMBER BENEFITS
Click HERE to see the list of
2008 WTT member benefits. |
WTT MEMBER DISCOUNTS:
Indianapolis Tennis Championships The 2008 Indianapolis Tennis Championships presented by Lilly is offering World TeamTennis members an exciting opportunity to purchase tickets at an exclusive discounted rate.
Call the tournament office at 800-622-5683 by July 1, 2008 and mention you are a World TeamTennis member to receive a $4 off discount on tickets purchased. The discount offer is valid for Monday - Thursday, July 14-17, 2008 (afternoon sessions only).
For a full list of WTT Member Discounts - click here. |
Take advantage of Bälle dê Mätch discount
for WTT members, directors
Bälle dê Mätch, the official apparel of World TeamTennis is offering WTT Rec League Directors and players a discount on Bälle dê Mätch apparel when ordering through their Customer Care phone number (1-800-356-1021).
- 30-35% off retail price.
- Discount applies to all fashion and team apparel.
- Discount is only applicable when buying via the Bälle dê Mätch Customer Care number at 1-800-356-1021.
- Please identify yourself as a WTT Rec League Director or player to receive the discount.
While the Bälle dê Mätch website (www.balledematch.com) is under renovation, WTT League Directors and players can call the Customer Care number to request a 2008 Bälle dê Mätch catalog.
|
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Advanta reaches out to small business in developing countries

Advanta, presenting sponsor of the WTT Pro League, is lending a helping hand to small business entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Advanta and Kiva have launched the KivaB4B Project (www.kivab4b.org),
a joint initiative that encourages small business owners and
entrepreneurs in the U.S.
to support entrepreneurs in developing countries. Through the initiative, Advanta
customers can make grants - using an Advanta business credit card - to Kiva for
entrepreneurs of their choice, and Advanta will match each grant, dollar for
dollar, up to $200 per month per account. That's double the capital, double the
impact.
Advanta
is one of the nation's largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.)
in the small business market, and Kiva is a non-profit organization that
created the first peer-to-peer microfinance platform.
"In our
years of working with small business owners, we've found that many of them
remember the moment someone gave them inspiration, some good advice, or a
little cash to get things going," said Ami Kassar, Advanta's Chief Innovation
Officer. "Now, through KivaB4B, American small business owners can offer that
same ray of hope to entrepreneurs in developing countries."
Advanta
was started in 1951 with $30 in seed money. Jack Alter, a Philadelphia school teacher, wanted to help
fellow teachers get access to capital. Advanta learned early on that an
entrepreneur with a little bit of money can change the world. Today, Kiva is
providing that access to entrepreneurs around the globe. A typical entrepreneur
on Kiva is seeking less than $1,000 for their business.
For
detailed information on how KivaB4B works, please visit www.kivab4b.org or visit the Kiva Business 4 Business Community board.
|
WTT HOT SHOT
 Wheelchair athletes participated in an exhibition featuring the WTT format this spring at the Patch Reef Park
in Boca Raton, Fla. The teams were organized by the Founder and Organizer of the
Florida Open and the National Wheelchair Sports Fund, Bruce
Karr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTT SPOTLIGHT
Billie Jean King chats and writes WTT co-founder Billie Jean King will be doing an online chat on the Washington Post website on Tuesday, June 10 at 1 pm Eastern. Visit the Washington Post website and ask Billie Jean a question about the upcoming WTT season, Wimbledon or her new book. Click here to go to the chat discussion page to ask a question or see Billie Jean's answers. Billie Jean King LIVE CHATTuesday, June 10 1 pm EST WashingtonPost.com
BILLIE JEAN KING
WTT co-founder
Speaking of Billie Jean's new book -- Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes -- will be available beginning Aug. 12. Pre-order now for a special discount. ORDER NOW
|
Bob Bryan (KC) wins mixed doubles at French Open
Congratulations to Bob Bryan (Kansas City Explorers) on capturing the 2008 French Open Mixed Doubles Championship. Bryan teamed with Victoria
Azarenka to win the title, 6-2, 7-6 (4), over Katarina Srebotnik and Nenad Zimonjic.
Read more . . . |
2008 WTT
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
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
with any questions.
Visit WTT.com for registration deadlines. |
Good news for tennis
Tennis is growing!
Ball sales are up and so is participation. According to a National Sporting Goods Association report, tennis participation increased 20% in 2007 - with more than 12.3 million players.
Read more good tennis news at the Tennis Industry Association website - www.tennisindustry.org
|
WTT CALENDAR - July & August 2008
July 3-23: WTT Pro League regular season
July 4: Registration deadline for National Qualifier in Kansas City, Mo.
July 18-20: WTT Rec League National Qualifier in Kansas City, Mo.
July 24-27: WTT Championship Weekend
August 14-17: WTT Junior Nationals hosted by Billie Jean King in San Diego, Calif.
|
Official Sponsors

| |