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Greetings!
The scoop for March was that it was a really, really busy month. New records were set, new tournaments were introduced and new winners emerged. More importantly, the prolonged winter weather was not a factor, for what was a great month of tennis.
The Etchebaster Cup -a tournament for newer players-attracted the largest field of entries ever and was one of the largest USCTA draws in recent history. The Boston and Newport women started a new interclub rivalry entitled "Bread & Roses". USCTA president, Greg Van Schaack, won his seventeenth singles title in the "over" events, narrowly beating out John McLean for the record number of wins. McLean has fifteen singles titles in the "overs". If you have to ask what an "over" is, you're probably not there yet - (hint - it refers to age.)The revamped Lord Percival or The Percy Cup, as it's now known, was a great success, as were the 2014 U.S. Amateur Championships.
Chicago hosted the World Championship Final Eliminator. Camden Riviere defeated Steve Virgona and will now head to Melbourne to challenge Rob Fahey in May. Tickets for the World Championship are still available, but if you can't make the trip, it will be streamed live. It's been a long road to this point and Camden still has miles to go in his quest to win the World Championship. If you would like to help with the final run, please consider donating below. In the meantime, we wish Camden the best of luck in Melbourne.
Finally, in this month's issue take a look at what the fashionable set is wearing in Boston. Check out the latest "Tips from the Pros" by Ivan Ronaldson -keep your head still - its key in all sports. Looking for some action? -Head down to Washington or Aiken for some fast-paced doubles in warmer climes or up to Boston for the U.S. 40s and 50s or the Ladies' Invitational. It's all here, so start reading!
Until next month...
Sincerely,
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2014 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
...and the Challenger is
...Camden Riviere
| John Cashman, Camden Riviere & Andrew Lyons - photo by Fredericka Adam |
Chicago hosted the World Championship Final Eliminator over two days in March. Despite a valiant effort by Steve Virgona, Camden Riviere won in seven sets. The scores were: 6-5, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4. The next stop for Riviere is Melbourne on May 6-10 where he will challenge Rob Fahey in the best of thirteen sets. For information on tickets and events surrounding the World Championship, see the letter from Alistair Curley below.
For a recap of the Final Eliminator, click here.
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MILES TO GO AND OCEANS TO CROSS...can you help Camden get there?
Please help support Camden Riviere in his fundraising efforts to cover the significant and diverse costs he will incur along the final leg of his road to the World Championships in May. Despite the fact that the Challenger typically has a higher mountain to climb, financial and otherwise, Camden is training more resolutely and passionately than ever. He and his athletic trainers/coaches are grateful for your support of this next would-be American World Champion!
http://www.gofundme.com/riviereWC
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2014 ETCHEBASTER
by Lindsay McManus
Peter Cipriano serving in the finals of the Etchebaster.
This year's Etchebaster Cup held in New York at the Racquet & Tennis Club was a resounding success with 49 entrants, breaking all prior records for number of players entered by a wide margin. The Etchebaster Cup is a tournament intentionally restricted to players with limited experience for the purpose of promoting the game among new players. Much of the success this year can be attributed to a decision to jointly hold the Kendrick Cup (a racquets tournament analogous to the Etchebaster Cup in that it is only open to players who have recently taken up the game). The result was an astounding draw of 49 players signed up for the court tennis event, easily topping the prior record of 29.
Click here to read the for the story and results
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BREAD & ROSES
by Amy MacMillan
Boston vs. Newport - The Players
The first annual Bread and Roses tournament took place at the Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston on Saturday, March 8th, 2014. Ten ladies representing Newport's National Tennis Club traveled to Boston to take on eight fierce Boston competitors.
Click here for the full story.
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PERCY CUP 2014
by James Zug
The 22nd annual Percy Cup came off again at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia over the St. Patrick's Day Weekend. Like last year, six of the eight active clubs in the U.S. sent a team of three pairs of players: one pair with handicaps between 30-39; another between 40-49; and third 50+. In a youthful twist, Washington notably had four players under the age of nineteen in their teams: Chase Motz, Noah Motz, Tristan Motz and Eric Barker.
To read the full story, click here.
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U.S. 70s
by Neil Smith
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John McLean, Michael Flinn, Jonathan Pardee & Dick Tanfield
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The National 70s Singles and Doubles took place at Racquet and Tennis Club on March 21-22. The tournament attracted a small but very enthusiastic group of participants.
The evergreen Dick Tanfield (Philadelphia) progressed through to the final with little drama, seeing off two R&T members - Bardyl Tirana and Michael Flinn. In the other half of the draw Jonathan Pardee (Newport) came up against a very determined John McLean, also from the R&T. The two battled it out for close to three hours, with the younger Mr. Pardee prevailing, in what was the match of the tournament.
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U.S. 60s
Six is the lucky number for USCTA President Greg Van Schaack. Van Schaack won his sixth U.S. 60s Singles Championship and his sixth U.S. 60s Doubles title in Chicago on March 22. Van Schaack defeated Charles Johnstone 6-5,6-3 - before teaming up with Howard McMorris to take the doubles over Johnstone and Vern Cassin. The score in the doubles was 6-4,6-3. Chicago hosted the tournament as part of the Final Eliminator week of tennis.
Click here for the draws
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2014 U.S. AMATEUR
The U.S. Amateur Singles and Doubles were held in Philadelphia on March 28-30.
Mark Mathias defeated Pat Winthrop in the singles 6-3,3-6,6-0,6-5.
Lex Miron & Tom McGinnis won the doubles over Mathias & James Gould 2-6,6-1,5-6,6-1,6-4
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THE CHERRY BLOSSOM ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT !!!
The Cherry Blossom Doubles Tournament, held at Prince's Court in Washington on April 10-13, is very very close to being SOLD OUT. If you are thinking about coming to Washington to play, e-mail Ryan Carey at [email protected] ASAP or enter online by clicking here. We would hate for you to get shut out of this year's event!! Tournament Website - www.thecherryblossom.org
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2014 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Can Cam Do It?
The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club is looking forward to hosting the World Championship next month. Robert Fahey is seeking a record 12th title but standing in his way is the form player of the moment, Camden Riviere. It should be an awesome match and already the match is almost sold out. So, if anyone wishes to head 'down under' to support Camden, please register for tickets by no later than 8 April at http://rmtc.com.au/#world-championships-2014
Apart from the match, there is tennis for all standards and a full program of social events during the week. That includes Aussie Rules Football! If you are in Melbourne by Fri 2 May, you can join the World Champion and others to watch a game of 'footy' at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground that night. Just let us know!
The match will be played over best of thirteen sets, over three days, 6, 8 and 10 May. Play begins at 6.30pm Australian Eastern Time on the 6th and 8th and at 2pm on the 10th.
However, for those who can't get to Melbourne, there will be high quality video streaming and details will be announced nearer the time via Melbourne's website and their Facebook page.
So, USA v Australia, young vs not so young, youth vs experience, young bull vs old bull - this match will have it all!
See you in Melbourne, see you online!
Cheers
Alistair Curley
RMTC World Championship Committee
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UPCOMING EVENTS
4-6
U.S. 40s & 50s
Draws
BOSTON
National Championship - Singles & Doubles for players over 40 and 50
10-13
CHERRY BLOSSOM
WASHINGTON
Doubles round robin for multiple amateur levels
18-20
NORTHROP KNOX
AIKEN
Doubles for handicaps
35 and better
25-27
LADIES' INVITATIONAL
BOSTON
Singles & Doubles for
U.S.- based amateurs
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COURT TENNIS CAMP
JULY 14-18, 2014
The US Court Tennis Preservation Foundation has selected the Tuxedo Club for a one of a kind junior court tennis camp. Court Tennis Champion Tim Chisholm will head up the first USCTPF and USCTA sponsored Court Tennis Academy for one week this summer at The Tuxedo Club. This academy is designed for juniors ages 11-17 and modeled around a very successful and popular UK-based program. Beginner and experienced players from the Tuxedo Club as well as from Clubs throughout the US are invited to participate.
Click here to contact Tim Chisholm for more information.
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HOLDING COURT
Who knew Boston could be so fashionable? Check out this article!
Haute sneakers, body-conscious dresses, statement watches-this season's sporty-luxe pieces score big points at Boston's iconic Tennis & Racquet Club. . Click here to see the latest in fashion!
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TIPS FROM THE PROS
Keep your head still..
by Ivan Ronaldson
It is very important to have a still head while striking the ball. The sweet spot of the racket is very small, so to strike the ball cleanly requires an exact action and this is only possible if the head is kept still.
So often players are off balance whilst playing their shot, making it impossible to keep their head still. Balance and stability can be improved by working on your leg strength (lunges, squats) and your core stability (strengthening the support muscles around the spine and stomach). Swift improvements to your core stability can be made with simple exercises.
Talk your pro or a personal trainer at your gym. After a few weeks you'll be more balanced and you will notice less head movement as you play your strokes.
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RTO STATS
NUMBER OF MATCHES ENTERED INTO RTO IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.
NEWPORT 177
NEW YORK 146 PHILADELPHIA 108 WASHINGTON 88
BOSTON 74 CHICAGO 37 TUXEDO 9
AIKEN 6
LAKEWOOD 0
COMPARED TO -
HAMPTON COURT 238
HOBART 224
MELBOURNE 319
RADLEY 256
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