Volume 3, Number 8 July 1, 2014

After a quiet May, June was jam-packed with tournaments for players of all ages and levels. Rob Fahey and Camden Riviere travelled from Melbourne to Newport to play each other in the finals of the U.S. Professional Singles playing for The Schochet Cup. While Fahey won the World Championship in Melbourne, Riviere claimed his fifth consecutive Pro Singles title in Newport. It was an exciting week of tennis- full of dramatic upsets, great tennis and fun social events. Thank you to the primary sponsors - Jay and Suzy Schochet - and to all of the individuals and businesses that come together each year to bring a spectacular week of tennis to the U.S.

The juniors gathered in Washington for the U.S. Under 21s and Under 18s singles and doubles championships. Congratulations to Paul Monaghan on winning the U21 Singles for the third consecutive year.

In Newport over fifty players gathered for the Newport Handicap Doubles which just happened to coincide with the first annual International Tennis Day (ITD). "The inaugural ITD was a huge success" writes James Zug - the organizer for the worldwide event. Read his story and be sure to check out the photos on Facebook and the USCTA website - we'll be adding more in the next few days.

Raise your hand if you have ever thwacked an aimless boast off the main wall into the middle of the court. Were you blowing off steam or did you really think it was a productive shot? Well guess what, it's a bad shot as Ivan Ronaldson will tell you in this month's Tip from the Pros. So stop thwacking that ball around and read Ivan's tip.

Happy Fourth of July.

Until next month...

Sincerely,

Jane Lippincott - Editor

U.S. Court Tennis Association

INTERNATIONAL TENNIS DAY

by James Zug

The inaugural International Tennis Day was a huge success. The annual date is 20 June, the anniversary of the Tennis Court Oath at the start of the French Revolution. Modeled after World Squash Day, the first ITD came off wonderfully.

All four playing nations participated and photographs and reports went up onto the ITD page at Facebook, a seamless way for everyone to follow each other's activities in real time. You can find the ITD page here. Pictures are also posted on the USCTA website

Click here to read the Jim's full story.

2014 U.S. PRO SINGLES

Camden Riviere - Photo by Melissa Quintal

Camden Riviere won the US Professional Singles, playing for the Schochet Cup for the fifth time in succession. He defeated Rob Fahey in four sets 6-4 2-6 6-4 6-0.

Ricardo Smith reached his first semifinal of a major ranking tournament. He took Rob Fahey to four sets in the semifinal. Ricardo is a player to watch over the next two year world race cycle. He has every chance to be playing in the eliminators in 2016. To read more and for complete draws, click here

2014 U.S. JUNIORS

U21's - Will Harkins, Peter Dickinson, John Harkins and Paul Monaghan

Thirteen players under the age of 21 competed in the U.S. U21s and U18 singles and doubles. The tournament was played in Washington on June 13-15. Congratulations to all who participated. Go Juniors! The results were:

Under 21s

Singles: Paul Monaghan def. John Harkins 6-2,6-1

Doubles: P. Monaghan/J. Harkins def. Will Harkins/Peter Dickinson 6-2,6-1

Under 18s

Singles: Chase Motz def. Cameron Buettner 5-6,6-4,6-4

Doubles: John Harkins / Cameron Buettner def. Spencer Yager / Sebastian Yager 6-1,6-1

Click here for the full results and more pictures.

2014 NEWPORT HANDICAP DOUBLES

Bill Rives, David Ford, Petra Napolitano and John Harkins

The 19th Annual Newport Handicap Doubles was played on June 19-22. There were five divisions and each division played a round robin. With fifty six players from the U.S. and overseas in five divisions that translates into fifty matches in four days - that's a lot of tournament management and marking. Hats off to Rich Smith, Ricardo Smith and tournament chair Kip Curren for running an excellent weekend. The results were:

A Final: D.Aldrich/P.Cipriano def O.Buckley/S.Goss 10-2

B Final: M.Shellim/V.Williams def B.Rowe/T.Rowe 10-4

C Final: P.Napolitano/J.Harkins def B.Rives/D.Ford 10-4

D Final: S.Hodges/K.Minevitz def S.Harkins/P.Livingston 9-7

E Final: M.Ashmore/T.Ashmore def F.VanLiew/B.Packham 9-6

For complete results, click here.

EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD

For the Most Creative International Tennis Day Photo

The Tennis Trekker by Doug Grant

#iTennis Day by Ryan Carey

Ryan and Doug will both receive a free subscription to Chase the First.

Thank you to all who submitted ITD photos this year...and there's still time to send in more. Start planning for next year....June 20, 2015!

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY

18-20

VELVET ROPE

NEWPORT

Invitational Doubles for players ages 21-40

AUGUST

14-17

PELL CUP

NEWPORT

Doubles Round Robin for Pros and Amateurs

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.

TIPS FROM THE PROS

"The Boast"

by Ivan Ronaldson

The boast is seldom a good choice of shot when at the service end because there are so many other attacking options and there is the risk of setting a hazard chase. If you think you can hit the tambour or grille don't mess around with boasts ... hit that Tambour. Even when you miss it, good things will often happen and lady luck may well smile on your sound tactics (accidental Grilles anyone?).

From the hazard side there is some merit in the stroke, provided that you have sufficient natural power and that you have a clear objective. Good targets include the edge of the Dedans by the mainwall (The "mainwall Dedans" or "Coup de Boss"), or the sidewall just under last gallery (after doing a very short boast off the mainwall)

Too many members thwack aimless boasts off the mainwall into the middle of the service court. This may help you let off steam occasionally, but you won't win many points. Don't do it if you are trying to win matches and improve your handicap.

2013/14

USCTA

ANNUAL REPORT

The 2013-2014 USCTA Annual Report is in the works. "A coffee table keeper" - the report chronicles the year in tennis through photos, draws, reports and feature stories.

There is advertising space available. If you are interested in placing an ad, please click here. Advertisements help the Association offset the cost of producing the report.

RTO STATS

RECORD ALL SCORES!

NUMBER OF MATCHES ENTERED INTO RTO IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.

NEWPORT 149

WASHINGTON 63
TUXEDO 45
BOSTON 42
NEW YORK 41
PHILADELPHIA 20

AIKEN 2

LAKEWOOD 0
CHICAGO N/A

COMPARED TO -

HAMPTON COURT 223

HOBART 204

MELBOURNE 287

RADLEY 234