Volume 3, Number 9 August 1, 2014

Summer is in full swing, and while many have put aside their racquets to pursue outdoor activities, there's still some action in the court tennis world. For those that want to combine summer fun with some competitive tennis, what better destination is there than Newport?

A small group of players gathered in Newport last month for the annual Velvet Rope tournament. Geared to the under 40 crowd, the weekend was a fun mix of tennis and parties. Later this month, the National Tennis Club will host its signature event - The Pell Cup - a doubles event for all levels. The draw is full with players from around the world making the trip to Newport. It's going to be a great final summer bash!

Looking towards the fall - be sure to check out the tournament schedule for the upcoming season. The schedule is jam-packed with events around the country for all levels. Start making your plans now.

Finally, the big news is Court Tennis Charleston. The $500,000 mark has been crossed and the momentum continues to build. Read on for the latest from Charleston.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Until next month...

Sincerely,

Jane Lippincott - Editor

U.S. Court Tennis Association

NEWS FROM CHARLESTON

Charleston is on the move!

To date over $520,000 has been pledged by 101 donors. Congratulations on passing the half-million mark!

The USCTPF has offered to underwrite the cost of hiring a professional fundraiser to assist the Charleston committee in reaching its final goal. Read Ben Cook's letter outlining the many wonders of Charleston. See how the pros, led by Camden Riviere are joining the effort to make Charleston a reality. Help keep the positive momentum going by making a pledge. Each pledge will help makes this amazing opportunity a reality. To learn more, contact any of the committee members listed below.

From Ben Cook....

Charleston is one of America's most beautiful cities with more than 3500 historic homes and buildings dating from the 1600s. This elegantly preserved city and the surrounding area continue to grow at a steady pace. Calendars are full of festivals, sporting events, and cultural affairs. Dining, shopping, and strolling are favorite past times of those who call Charleston home. For those who visit, there are many things to keep one busy. Stroll down King Street; take a carriage tour of the Battery overlooking Charleston harbor; visit Civil and Revolutionary war sites, such as the Hunley, Fort Sumter, and Fort Moultrie; visit pristine beaches year round due to the mild climate; enjoy clamming, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and surfing for an extended season: visit historical plantations and gardens, take advantage of the Aquarium, the Children's Museum, the Gibbes Art Museum, Patriot Point's naval art museum inside the famous WW II aircraft carrier Yorktown. The list of things to do for the whole family in this city is endless.

"I have travelled to many of the court tennis clubs in the US and a few in the UK. There is no doubt in my mind that Daniel Island Club and the Charleston area would create an environment where the game of court tennis would thrive. Our club and city would appeal to many world wide court tennis players who decide to come here to visit and enjoy for either an active or a relaxing holiday".

-Ben Cook, USCTA member and Director of Tennis Daniel Island Club

"I moved to Charleston in 2012, I love the climate and the proximity to the ocean. When guests come to visit me they love the bars, the restaurants, and the southern charm. No matter what the season, there are always plenty of things to do recreational and culturally. Add in an opportunity for court tennis, and I think many court tennis players will see that we have a chance to really do something special here

-Camden Riviere, World # 1 ranked Court Tennis Professional

"I have been to Charleston and been to visit Daniel Island Club. What an awesome club in an awesome city!! This project would easily attract court tennis players because of the great history, shopping, dining, sports, etc that are available in Charleston. Court tennis in Charleston would be an amazing venue to continue our great game for years to come."

-Tony Hollins, Court Tennis Professional, Tennis And Racquet Club, Boston

If you would like to contribute to the Court Tennis Charleston project, please contact any of our volunteers listed below:

Greg Van Schaack, Bill Blalock, Charles de Casteja

Frederika Adam, Alley Bulley, Ben Cook, Dacre Stoker, Jim Zug, Peter Vogt, Suzy Schwartz, Jeremy Wintersteen, Steve De Voe, Bill McLaughlin, Vern Cassin-Peterson, Jane Lippincott, Peter Pell.

FROM CAMDEN RIVIERE

"JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING CHARLESTON"

Hello Court Tennis Fans!

For the last three years, I have been lucky enough to be a part of the Court Tennis Charleston Project promoting and fundraising for the Daniel Island court. The team and I have worked with a steely determination to make this dream into a reality. As someone who was born and now resides in Charleston, I can tell you that expanding our sport to the Daniel Island Club is the opportunity of a lifetime. I believe Charleston is one of the most beautiful areas in the world; with its deep history and fantastic winter weather it is obvious why it is receiving praise across the globe. Just one trip here and you will understand why I love this place.

In addition to the time and effort I have given to the project, I am also proud to say that I am a financial contributor to the cause. Every donation to the project is an important one, and I am hoping that my $2,000 donation will help encourage you all to support as well.

I truly believe the Daniel Island Court will thrive, boosting our numbers and programs around the US. The Daniel Island Club is the perfect addition to our game, with its staggering number of junior players, as well as men and women club players, this court will help ensure a strong future for the game we love.

Thanks,

Camden

THE VELVET ROPE

A Division

Bill Connors & Chris Blier def Suzie Schwartz & Tom Pickin

B Division

John Harkins & Marc Lewinstein def John Olympitis & Luis Santiago

DUELING COURTS IN NEWPORT

Newport's professionals, Rich Smith and Ricardo Smith, challenged the former top-ranked USTA player and incoming Tennis Hall of Fame CEO, Todd Martin and NTC member Brewer Rowe, to a battle on the court tennis and lawn tennis court. They played a pro set on each surface, with each team receiving the appropriate handicap. The outcome? Well, let's just say that both matches went to 9-all, 40-all.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AUGUST

14-17

PELL CUP

NEWPORT

Doubles Round Robin

for Pros and Amateurs

SEPTEMBER

19-21

SEARS CUP

BOSTON

Flighted Doubles
for All Levels

2014/15

USCTA CALENDAR

Get a sneek peek at the 2014/15 season schedule!
Click here!

USCTPF

COCKTAIL PARTY
FOR CHARLESTON
IN NEWPORT

The USCTPF will host a gathering celebrating the first $500,000 pledged for the Charleston Court. A groundswell of support from over 101 donors is making the creation of a new court in Charleston all the more likely.

Please join us on the terrace of the New York Yacht Club for light cocktails on Thursday August 14 from 6:30-8:00.

We hope you will be able to join us.

Bill McLaughlin

Charles de Casteja

Jane Lippincott

Camden Riviere

Please RSVP to

Bill McLaughlin.

MR. & MRS. #1

Congratulations to Rob Fahey and Claire Vigrass who were married
on July 25th.

Photo by Nick Jones

TIPS FROM THE PROS

"The Serve"

by Ivan Ronaldson

All strokes are important, but the most critical one in Court Tennis is the return of serve. You should develop a range of returns that covers as many serves as possible.

For most players, this entails taking up a position such that you are able to volley those services that would die near the back wall. You should try to play these volleys at head height with a vertical racket. This requires you to be nimble on your feet in order to take the ball correctly, and, if their serve is too short or deep to volley, to adjust your position for a floor shot or a stroke off the back wall.

Many club players are guilty of being on the move backwards as they play the deeper serves, which reduces the effectiveness of their returns. Don't let yourself be one of those!

OFF COURT TRAIN-ING IN DC

Prince's Court members and visitors will now have a more direct (and traffic free) route to the court from downtown Washington. The Silver Line metro is now operational!

Use the McLean Station stop and it's just a short walk to the court!

CHICAGO INVITATIONAL
OCT 2ND-5TH

Save the date for
The Chicago Invitational. The Racquet Club of Chicago's inaugural annual tournament featuring Tennis, Rackets and Doubles Squash.
E-mail Steve Virgona for more information.

RTO STATS

RECORD ALL SCORES!

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

NEWPORT 112

BOSTON 65
WASHINGTON 58
NEW YORK 39
CHICAGO 33
TUXEDO 22
AIKEN 13
PHILADELPHIA 11

AIKEN 2

LAKEWOOD 0

COMPARED TO -

HAMPTON COURT 244

HOBART 252

MELBOURNE 227

RADLEY 137