Click here and bookmark or print the tournament calendars for the 2009 ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tours. You'll not only have the dates handy for all the slams, but also every other event as well.There's a lot of great pro tennis ahead.
Ever wonder where the pros get their racquets strung? The names are tough to read here but believe me, this line-up covers an international spectrum of players: Tommy Haas, Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, Stephi Graf, Nicole Vaidisova and more. The place, RPNY Tennis in New York City. The man, Roman Prokes, who has been customizing tennis racquets for 25 years.
Most recreational players merely change string and overgrip. Tour pros and others in the know (possibly those with a little extra dough) have theirs customized. Weights can be changed, tension, mix of string, balance and length as well. Want to add a little more zing to your spin? Prokes can help. Pros actually have molds made and notes taken on their specific racquet wishes and that stick is duplicated by the RPNY crew time and time again. Many of Prokes' innovations have been incorporated into production models over the years.
Prokes and his team will be on site at the Australian Open where they will become part of the official Wilson sponsored stringing team. They will be at all of the 2009 slams and at eight masters events. When not at these venues, client players needing customization ship their racquets directly to New York.
Prokes meets players on court or by phone to discuss specific racquet needs. Locals and NYC visitors itching to play can also talk with him at the very posh CityView Racquet Club where RPNY Tennis has a satellite shop. Visit RPNY Tennis to learn more.
On the Baseline's 2008 Baseline Awards are up for grabs and Tennisidentity.com has been nominated for Best Tennis Blog in the Media category! Other blogs in the running include: Nicks Picks, Peter Bodo’s TennisWorld, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blogs, Women’s Tennis Blog and Zoo Tennis. We are thrilled to be among such good company.
Visit the 2008 Baseline Awards and rock the vote! Cast your choices for female player of the year, fan favorite, doubles team, tennis writer, tennis blog, biggest upset of 2008 and many more. Voting runs now through December 29, 2008. The winners will be announced January 1, 2009. Tennisidentity's platform? You got it...Know what's new. Own the best. Let us help you hone your tennis identity.
On the Baseline is devoted to professional women's tennis news and we have to say they do a great job of it. Check it out.
You love tennis. Wouldn't it be great if your kids loved it too? Tennis can be frustrating to learn. Kids want to rally and if they can't enthusiasm hits the road. QuickStart Tennis is a new program being introduced nationwide by the USTA for kids ages 4-10; think of it as the t-ball of tennis. QuickStart has morphed into names like pee-wee tennis or mini-tennis but essentially it involves a smaller net, court and over sized or low compression balls. The balls are easier to track and the rallies...well get out there and give it a try...the rallies these little players have are tremendous! Totally fun, easy and yes, addictive.
Ask your club or recreation department if they offer this program or go to Quick Start Tennis to find one near you. If you want to go it alone with your kids, it's a great driveway or hard-top game. You will need a mini collapsible net (in carrying case), sponge balls and racquets. Racquets start at 19" long for a child between 3 and 4 feet tall. The taller the kid, the longer the racquet. You can order supplies on the QuickStart site or at Tennis-Warehouse. Look there for the Head Junior tennis Net for $39.99 USD, Gamma Revolution Foam Balls (a 12 pack is $29.99). Junior-sized racquets start at $16.95. The QuickStart tennis site is loaded with more detailed information about this great new program. Have fun playing with your kids now because in a few years they WILL be beating you.
Those of you who are not already members, think about joining the USTA. Aside from the great discounts and early-bird sales on USTA sponsored tournaments, you will find people in your area, at your level who are just as passionate about tennis to play with. If your tennis club offers a league, jump in and your match play will be all set. If you'd rather go it alone, look through the USTA tournaments listed in your area. It doesn't matter if you are just beginning or if you haven't played in a while. There are great opportunities at every level.
Check it out. Go to usta.com and click on "Tennis Link Membership" in the upper right hand corner. Click on "Tournaments" and you will be taken to the "Tournament Finder" page where you can look for tournaments in your area. There are hundreds nationally, each one is listed by level so no fear Mr. Former College Player, you will not be playing Joe Beginner. Click on your region, adult, singles, etc. You may need to self rank, and the site gives you an opportunity to do so. The following link offers a little ranking tutorial. Get yourself an USTA number and start signing up. You'll have some great matches to look forward to. A little healthy competition is great for everyone's game. A one-year individual USTA membership is $40 USD, for a family it's $65.
Help has arrived for tennis players who love their game but cringe at the task of organizing it, especially when it comes to doubles. MyTennisGroup.com provides 24/7 assistance for team captains and recreational players looking to develop rotations, practice times and yes, (thank you, thank you) it also helps find last minute subs. Once you have an account you and your players can log-on anytime and jump right into your group. Team line ups and cancellations are no longer a problem. The service manages player availability, sends reminders, and can help schedule matches and practices. No more phone calls! Team captains can register their U.S.T.A. or league team for $9.95 a season! Recreational season courts are $40.00. With an eight player rotation, that's $5.00 per person -- a couple bucks more than a can of balls. Visit www.mytennisgroup.com more information.
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