May was a quiet month in the U.S. court tennis world - no USCTA events were scheduled, as many players were busy with their end-of-year club championships. There was one big worldwide event however - the 2014 World Championship - which was played in Melbourne. U.S. fans who could not attend were waking up at 4:30 a.m. to watch the battle between World Champion Rob Fahey and our own U.S. Challenger - Camden Riviere. Fahey won, but not without a fight from Riviere. 

Looking forward - summer has arrived and with that the focus turns to Newport. Starting with the U.S. Pro Singles playing for the Schochet Cup, followed by the Newport Handicap Doubles, the Velvet Rope and the Pell Cup - there's a lot happening in the "city by the sea". Make your plans soon for a weekend getaway!

International Tennis Day is on June 20^th. Plan to celebrate the day with your friends and players from around the world. For all the details, read on....and make sure to send us your photos for the next issue of Chase the First!

Be sure to read the latest news from Court Tennis Charleston. The committee, led by Greg Van Schaack, has made considerable progress and they are that much closer to building a court at Daniel Island. The goal is achievable if we all help. Find out more about this amazing opportunity and how you can become involved below.

Finally, what do Todd Martin, Paris, being light on your feet and pick-up games have in common? You'll have to read this month's full issue of Chase the First to find out!

Until next month...

Sincerely,  

Court Tennis Charleston is reaching a critical phase in its fundraising and your help and support is needed to accomplish this exciting goal - to build a new court in America!!

The court will be built on the Daniel Island Club's (DIC) land. The DIC is located on Daniel Island, formerly the private plantation of the Guggenheim Family, located in the City of Charleston, 12-15 minutes from downtown. The DIC has 2 golf courses, 10 har-tru tennis courts, 1 grass tennis court, two swimming pools, a gym, a beautiful main club house and many other amenities, including banquet facilities for large parties and balls. Five newly constructed "club cottages" will be available to house visiting players during tournaments or just vacations in Charleston.

The DIC has granted us the option to build our court on their land and to rely on them to operate the court once it is completed. In doing this, the DIC is not only contributing a $350K-valued piece of property for construction of the court, they are also agreeing to operate that court, including all expenses for taxes, maintenance, insurance, climate control, professional staffing, etc. (easily a $100K per year expense). This is a huge boost to our fund raising effort!!!

NEWPORT

Main Draw

Satellite Draw

Professional Singles

13-15

U.S. JUNIOR NATIONALS

19-22

NEWPORT

Doubles flights open to all levels

NEWPORT

Invitational Doubles for players ages 21-40

NEWPORT

Doubles Round Robin for Pros and Amateurs