And...we're off and running...the 2014/15 season is in full swing. Boston kicked off the action with the inaugural R.D. Sears doubles, while six of our pros headed off to France for the 2014 French Open. October looks to be even busier with tournaments in Chicago, Newport, Boston, and Tuxedo. Plus, the National League gets underway with new teams and a few new faces. Wow!

The Court Tennis Charleston Committee has been hard at work and the support to build a new court is gaining momentum daily. Be sure to read about their progress and check out their new website for information about the project and how you can participate.

Jeremy Wintersteen - USCTA President - outlines the USCTA goals for the year in a "Message from the President". In a related story, Wintersteen writes about the Bathurst Academy - part of a joint initiative on Player Development by the USCTA and USCTPF. Look for more articles on Player Development in the coming months.

This month's "Tips from the Pros" by Ivan Ronaldson focuses on fine-tuning your game. What better time than at the start of the season to analyze your game and find the most effective shots than now?

The season has just begun...let's get out there and play.

Until next month...

Sincerely,  

R.D. SEARS CUP

by Helen Grassi

The Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston hosted the first annual Sears Cup Tournament in honor of Richard Dudley "Dick" Sears (October 16, 1861 - April 8, 1943). Sears started his career in "Lawn Tennis." There he was undefeated in the U.S. Championships. He won the first of his seven consecutive titles in 1881 while still a student at Harvard. In those days, the previous year's winner had an automatic bye into the final. Thus, in 1881, beginning with the first round, he went on an 18-match unbeaten streak that would take him through to the 1887 championships, after which he retired from the game. It wasn't until 1921 that his record was ever beaten in "Lawners." After giving up playing "lawn tennis," Sears focused on the court tennis court. In 1892, he won the U.S. Court Tennis singles title, making him the first U.S. Champion in both Lawn Tennis and Court Tennis.

The festivities kicked off on Friday Night with a BBQ held in the courtyard of the club (more affectionately known as the parking lot in the back alley) and in Court Four (also known as The Members' Bar). On Saturday, the Board of Governors hosted a delightful cocktail party, where we had the privilege to host John Sears, the grandson of our tournament namesake. John brought with him the 1892 U.S. Court Tennis Championship trophy, a silver pitcher, which his grandfather won. We all heard a little bit more about R.D. Sears and had the pleasure of drinking champagne poured from the pitcher.

Click here for the rest of the story, results, and photos.