Shows
Talking Tennis Southern StyleTalking Tennis Southern Style's last episode: 2024 highlights "Talking Tennis Southern Style" wraps a five-year run with our traditional year-end highlight episode. In 2024, we interviewed a wide variety of tennis players, media, providers and organizers. Included are tennis pro Arianne Hartono, TV star Andrew Krasny, Atlanta media icon Karen Graham, USTA League innovator John Embree, Red Ball Tennis organizer Amy Brandon, along with Atlanta Open luminary Patricia Jensen. We include a final goodbye from Executive Producer and USTA Southern staffer Ron Cioffi. Thanks and big shoutout to host Sam Crenshaw and audio producer Kyle Blackburn and to Ernie James and the Marketing & Communications Committee members!
2024-12-1226 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTed Reese, Cary, North Carolina, USTA Southern, Southern Tennis Foundation. USTA Pro Circuit, Ted Reese may be best known for running USTA Pro Circuit tournaments in his hometown of Cary, N.C. However, his profile grows next month as he moves into the role of USTA Southern President & CEO. He explains his plans for building on years of tennis growth with programs like Adult Red Ball Tennis played on small courts. He emphasizes the importance of keeping tennis open to all, as the USTA aims to have 35 million Americans on the courts by 2035. He applauds the work of the Southern Tennis Foundation and the dedication of more than 200 volunteers, along...
2024-12-0417 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleL.E.A.D serves Black youth in tennis and baseball L.E.A.D. is an Atlanta-based nonprofit whose mission is to use baseball and tennis to teach Black youth how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism. Kelli Stewart, wife of co-founder and former minor league baseball player C.J. Stewart, explains how the organization expanded into supporting tennis. Her daughter, Mackenzi, is a former Southern University and Georgia State player, explained how she decided to pick up a racquet and now leads its girls' tennis programs. Listen to them describe their dedication to community service and focus on athletics, academics...
2024-11-2015 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTuskegee coach Gregory Green on HBCU opportunities Coach Gregory Green has been a part of eighteen championships as a player and coach, earning him the name "The King of Rings." In addition to coaching excellence in football with four SIAC Conference rings, he has brought glory to Tuskegee tennis with four SIAC Conference Tennis Championships, five-time SIAC Highest Team GPA for Men and Women and four SIAC Conference Tennis Coach of the Year awards, in addition to many athletic accolades at Savannah State. Listen to Gregory describe how his program grows the academic and cultural opportunities for Tuskegee's athletes and strengthens the HBCU programs...
2024-11-1309 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleFormer USPTA CEO John Embree Reflects on His Wilson Legacy and Leadership in Tennis In the second of a two-part series with John Embree, he recounts his pivotal role at Wilson, where he managed contracts for tennis legends including Pete Sampras, Chrissy Evert, Jim Courier, and others, and introduced the successful Wilson U.S. Open tennis ball. He discusses his leadership in developing innovative rackets like the Hammer and Pro Staff. After 17 years at Wilson, John transitioned to the USPTA as CEO, leveraging his for-profit experience to strengthen the organization. He shares his concerns about the aging tennis professional population and emphasizes the importance of adaptability for those entering the industry...
2024-11-0619 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleFormer USPTA CEO John Embree Reflects on His Wilson Legacy and Leadership in TennisIn the second of a two-part series with John Embree, he recounts his pivotal role at Wilson, where he managed contracts for tennis legends including Pete Sampras, Chrissy Evert, Jim Courier, and others, and introduced the successful Wilson U.S. Open tennis ball. He discusses his leadership in developing innovative rackets like the Hammer and Pro Staff. After 17 years at Wilson, John transitioned to the USPTA as CEO, leveraging his for-profit experience to strengthen the organization. He shares his concerns about the aging tennis professional population and emphasizes the importance of adaptability for those entering the industry. Listen in...
2024-11-0619 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleFormer USPTA CEO John Embree talks about his USTA League leadership In the first of a two-part series, John Embree reminisces about working as the first head of the USTA League and the NTRP system governing all USTA League players 44 years later. He explained that the goal of having one system for all adult players was considered unreachable when it was first proposed. He added, "One of the attractions about the USTA League program is that we have sectional and national championships." In our second podcast with John, he outlines his 11 years as the United States Professional Tennis Association CEO until his retirement this year.
2024-10-3018 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleOpen Tennis Fest in Tennessee with Sara Barnett; Charles Allen starts a high-energy, crowd-friendly format When she headed up USTA Tennessee as President, Sara Barnett showed off her organizational skills. Now, Sara put together Open Tennis Fest events in her hometown of Jackson. She said they players like high-intensity competition and play of a special brand of the game of triples. Talk about new formats, Charles Allen is breaking all sorts of tennis rules and conventions with INTENNSE. Instead of sets and matches, this new fan-friendly format has bolts and surges. With 10 seconds and only one serve, the play is fast and furious with fans cheering at any time. Georgia Tech and UGA curr...
2024-10-2228 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleMercer tennis player outlines donation program Cameron Douthit excelled on the Georgia tennis courts and in the classroom. Ranked as high as No. 5 in his state's junior ranking, Cameron won back-to-back individual state championships. Plus, he took nearly two dozen advanced placement courses at the Stratford Academy in Macon, Ga. He applauded his high school coach, Southern Tennis Hall of Famer and Southern Tennis Foundation Director, Development & Operations Jaime Kaplan. He also used his community hours to collect and donate tennis can metal tops to the Ronald McDonald House. Listen to the Mercer freshman who is looking to better life on and off th...
2024-10-1613 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleGrowing Tennis On Campus at UNC-CH John Hankinson's travel with his University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's Tennis On Campus team has already accumulated more miles than his years playing junior tournaments. He has played in numerous Southern TOC Championships and two National TOC Championships and heads up a massive contingent of players at Chapel Hill, where over 190 students have tried out for the team. He's led the Tar Heel TOC Club team to support a grassroots fundraising tennis program, he's competed at the USTA Adaptive Tennis Championships with one of his classmates and organized alumni matches on campus. Through these endless efforts, he...
2024-10-0412 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTV personality Karen Graham co-founded company serving Deaf community"Talking Tennis Southern Style" host Sam Crenshaw reconnected with a long-time friend and fellow TV journalist when he interviewed Karen Graham, a mainstay on Atlanta's Fox 5. A three-time Emmy award winner, Karen co-founded Sign1News, which serves the Deaf community with captioned news and sports on its Sign1News.com website. She talks about learning signing at an early age and how she incorporates that skill in expanding her company's many-faceted communication assets. A dedicated tennis player in the hotbed of recreational tennis, Karen can be seen on courts in and around the Georgia capital. One of Sign1News...
2024-09-2616 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleJamie Hunt: starts as third coach in Georgia's men's tennis In our second episode this month, that concentrates on college coaching, we spotlight Jamie Hunt, the third coach in UGA men's tennis history, who starts in his new post this year. Jamie, who was a member of the 2007-08 Georgia champion teams, talks about the legacy of Dan Magill and his tutelage under Manny Diaz, both Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductees. Saying he could write a book with all of the notes he's taken in his seven years as associate head coach, he extolls Diaz and how the former coach prepared him for the head coach...
2024-09-1711 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleLouisville's Mark Beckham on college coaching In this episode, we sit down with Mark Beckham, who shares his inspiring journey from college tennis player to head coach of the women's team at his alma mater, the University of Louisville. Born and raised in Louisville, Mark reflects on the unique experience of coaching where he once played and the pride he feels representing his hometown. Coach Beckham discusses the evolution of college tennis, the complexities of blending transfer students with freshmen and the challenges of recruiting in today's competitive landscape. Mark also shares his deep connection to Louisville sports, growing up a fan of...
2024-09-1112 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA's Martin Blackman: covering the US Open The last Grand Slam of the year brings a New York vibe to tennis as the US Open begins. USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman, discusses the chances of Americans, including former Atlanta resident Coco Gauff repeating her 2023 success. Southerners Ben Shelton, Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul join a great USA contingent including Danielle Collins, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe as they vie for America's most coveted Grand Slam title. Martin also explains how the US Open's bottom line directly contributes to the American grassroots, supporting underserved youth and recreational players. Do not miss this opportunity to lis...
2024-08-2712 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleNorth Carolina tennis history In this episode of Talking Tennis Southern Style, we're joined by Gray Smith, a Board Member of the Winston-Salem Open and the North Carolina Tennis Foundation. Gray delves into North Carolina's rich tennis history, highlighting the legendary players who have graced its courts, including Rod Laver, Cliff Richard, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Andy Roddick and Patrick McEnroe. Gray provides unique insights into the ATP Tour's Winston-Salem Open, discussing how it came together and the crucial role volunteers played in its success. He also touches on the tournament's commitment to giving back to the community and its imp...
2024-08-2017 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic Top 100 men and women are playing this week at the Cary (N.C.) Tennis Park with numerous community and charity events. We welcome Ted Reese, who volunteers in his leadership role as USTA Southern Executive Vice President. He takes time this week to talk about his dual USTA Pro Circuit tournaments running in his hometown of Cary, N.C. As Co-tournament Director of the Cary Tennis Classic, Ted emphasizes the growth of the tournaments that attracted top male and female stars like 2014 US Open...
2024-08-1417 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleRaising Funds for Tennis Programs and Scholarships Join us on the latest episode of "Talking Southern Style Tennis" as we sit down with Paul Pittman, Chair of the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force and Chair of the Major Gifts Committee for the Southern Tennis Foundation. In this episode, Paul shares insights into how the Southern Tennis Foundation is dedicated to growing the sport of tennis across the Southern section. Discover their impactful grants that fund tennis programs and initiatives, as well as their scholarships for juniors heading to college.
2024-08-0713 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSA players competing in the Paris OlympicsUSA players competing in the Paris Olympics Karen Pestaina of TennisPanorama.com discusses Tommy Paul, Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend and other American players at the Summer Olympics. "Playing the Olympics and playing for your country really energizes players," says Karen Pestaina, founder and editor-in-chief of TennisPanorama.com. Karen highlights Southern players who can make a big impact in Paris. She focuses on the chances of Tommy Paul, who won a Roland Garros junior title, and South Carolina's Emma Navarro to bring home a medal from France. She also recaps the last Atlanta Open. Listen to...
2024-07-3014 minTalking Tennis Southern StylePatricia Jensen: Famed tennis matriarch and volunteer In this episode, we sit down with Patricia Jensen, mother of four former professional tennis players, including 1993 French Open men's doubles champions Luke and Murphy Jensen. Patricia shares her unique insights and experiences from transporting four children playing junior tournaments, where she put over 100K miles on her car one summer, to watching them play on the professional tour. Once dubbed the "matriarch of Atlanta's No. 1 tennis family" by USTA Southern, she continues to volunteer in the tennis world by organizing the ball persons for the Atlanta Open and Georgia Tech. Listen in on her stories as a...
2024-07-2415 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAtlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2013-2024 Current Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs and former TD Eddie Gonzalez explain how the Atlanta Open became the premier event in the local summer sports scene. Known for many years as the BB&T Atlanta Open and the Truist Atlanta Open, the city's ATP tournament put down anchor in 2012 at the iconic Atlantic Station with its breathtaking cityscape. GF Sports & Entertainment brought in top-level support, raising the event to be coveted by both fans and players. Listen in on the conversation about great competition, including former Georgia Bulldog John Isner winning six championships.
2024-07-1731 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAtlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2010-2012 As the Georgia capital says farewell to its most important pro tennis tournament – the Atlanta Open – we chat with the first two tournament directors. Bill Oakes, USTA Southern's Director, Marketing & Sales in 2010, helped bring the tournament to metro Atlanta. Bob Bryant ushered in its move to Atlantic Station. Both reminisce about the joys and challenges of hosting an ATP tournament in the best tennis city in the country. Next week, we will interview the two tournament directors who have overseen the "mini US Open" for over a decade.
2024-07-0931 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleJohn Isner on Atlanta Open; Martin Blackman on Wimbledon In this episode, we welcome two special guests: John Isner, the six-time Atlanta Open champion, and Martin Blackman, the USTA General Manager of Player Development. John discusses his upcoming exhibition match with Andy Roddick against the Bryan brothers, shares his experiences as a player in the Atlanta Open, and gives his insights on the future of tennis in Atlanta. Martin provides an in-depth analysis of Americans at Wimbledon, highlighting the top American players, including Southerners Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Christopher Eubanks and Alycia Parks.
2024-07-0322 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleLake Norman Expands on Red Ball Tennis for Adults Amy Brandon has the Lake Norman, N.C., tennis community hitting red balls on short tennis courts. As a pioneer for adults in metro Charlotte, she started the ServeAces Mini-Tennis Brewery League, which has grown to more than 500 players from 64 players since 2016. The Lake Norman Tennis Association Executive Director's efforts align with the expanding USTA Adult Red Ball Tennis program. She says the goal is to bring tennis to adults in a non-threatening, easy-to-play environment with scoring and rules designed for 36' courts. List to how she's transforming the tennis world, one beer at a time.
2024-06-2615 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTennis Helps 15-year-old Radio Personality Survive Leukemia Five years ago, at the age of 10, Lex Stolle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He began a years-long series of chemotherapy treatments at Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's in Atlanta. Now, his recovery includes tennis, a love he shares with his father. His talents in communication and inspiring hope in other cancer victims have led him to host a radio show on WSB on first Sunday of every month, 1-2 p.m., with assistance from the Children's Health Care of Atlanta. He wants to have a career as a motivational speaker … and when...
2024-06-1811 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAmerica's Top Junior: Georgia's Al Parker No one can match Al Parker's junior career … a national champion 25 times and ranked No. 1 in Boys' 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s from 1981-86. He reminisces about playing at the University of Georgia, which hosted and won NCAA Championships in the 1980s. "We were definitely a force," the four-time All-American said. He has been inducted into three Halls of Fame, including the Southern Hall of Fame in 2010. He rose to No. 261 on the ATP Tour but his career was limited by a back injury sustained in college. Listen to Al as he shares how he's applied what he...
2024-06-1115 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleSpring/Summer Buying Guide Want to hear a behind-the-scenes perspective from a photo shoot with Frances Tiafoe and Aryna Sabalenka? Michelle Heidbrink of Tennis Warehouse talks about being on-site with the tennis stars and previewing new clothing a year in advance. She also recommends checking out the sleek designs of Naomi Osaka and Rafa Nadal shoes. Of course, the newest racquets are available and guaranteed to boost your strokes. For Father's Day, gifts sure to please Dad include customizing a racquet, new high-performance strings or a new shirt for his next match.
2024-06-0515 minTalking Tennis Southern StylePromoting tennis: USTA South Carolina's advocacy success Sheryl McAlister, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Development for USTA South Carolina, discusses their efforts in promoting tennis during National Tennis Month. She highlights their advocacy work, increased grant applications and the enthusiastic involvement of staff and volunteers. Sheryl also addresses challenges in providing quality public tennis courts and their initiatives to engage state officials and local communities.
2024-05-2814 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA's Martin Blackman: covering Roland Garros USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman, discusses the growing crop of Americans showing their grit on the French Open's terre battue. Among the players highlighted are Danielle Collins and Frances Tiafoe, along with Southerners Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Alycia Parks, Tommy Paul and Christopher Eubanks. Another hot topic is the Summer Olympics, which will be played at Roland Garros.
2024-05-2112 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleBill Oakes on ATP pro tournaments In this episode, we sit down with Bill Oakes, the former tournament director of the acclaimed ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Wake Forest University. Bill shares his thoughts on innovative tournament formats, the significance of college tennis, and reflects on the upcoming last year of the Atlanta Open, which he also ran.
2024-05-1517 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAdvocating for tennis courts We applaud anyone playing tennis in a driveway. But, realistically, 99% of tennis is played on courts. Paul Pittman, the long-time dominant force of tennis in Florence, S.C., is now chairing USTA Southern's push to protect and increase the number of our tennis courts. Pittman speaks to grassroots tennis advocates who are working to ensure that new tennis courts are improved and built, and not turned into pickleball courts.
2024-05-0713 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAuburn's Bobby Reynolds: from ATP to college In this episode, we chat with Bobby Reynolds, Auburn Men's tennis head coach, a former No. 1 collegiate player at Vanderbilt and a former ATP player. He shares insights from coaching in the SEC and offers advice for aspiring players aiming for college and pro success, along with tips for competitive coaching. Reflecting on his pro tour days when he topped out at No. 63 in the world, coach Reynolds also touches on the broader impact of the sport. He grew up in metro Atlanta.
2024-04-3014 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleBob Willis, Louisville (Ky.) Area 10 & Under Tennis Association, National Tennis Month, Bring A Friend, Charlie Vettiner Park, Join us for an insightful episode featuring Bob Willis, President of the Louisville (Ky.) Area 10 & Under Tennis Association. Willis will host a National Tennis Month "Bring A Friend" lesson on May 25 at Charlie Vettiner Park. He recounts last year's experience with a successful NTM event. Don't miss out on Willis's valuable tips and strategies for drawing new players to the sport with impactful tennis celebrations in your community!
2024-04-2417 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleNational Tennis Month: Kristie Flowers Kristie Flowers hosted a Cardio Tennis session during 2023 and plans more sessions next month during National Tennis Month (NTM). She gets people active at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center in Florence, S.C. Flowers has had as many 50 participants get their heart rates up. She cites USTA Southern Board Member Ernie James for promoting NTM events.
2024-04-1613 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTennessee tennis recruiter: Tyler Strong How do you expand tennis in your state? A strategic focus of USTA is increasing the number of providers like parks and recreation departments, coaches, teachers, tournament directors and grassroots tennis associations. Tyler Strong is using his knowledge of Junior Team Tennis to make connections with coaches and facilities. A nearly 10-year veteran of USTA Tennessee, Strong also celebrates tennis parents who assist coaches
2024-04-0913 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTennis Channel on-court host Andrew Krasny Andrew Krasny is best known for his post-match interviews on court for Tennis Channel. This week he is the host and emcee of Credit One Charleston Open, a tournament he considers among the best in the world for featuring the brightest women's stars in the game. Over his storied career, Krasny has been one of the faces you've seen at Indian Wells, the Miami Open and Cincinnati, connecting TV viewers with the world's best tennis players.
2024-04-0318 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleWHM: WTA player Arianne Hartono & Coach Jason Ontog Arianne Hartono, a Dutch professional tennis player ranked No. 140 in WTA singles, made history at the University of Mississippi by winning the 2018 NCAA Women's Singles Tennis Championship, the first Dutch player to do so. She also received the 2018 Honda Sports Award for top female collegiate tennis player. Hartono is engaged to her coach Jason Ontog, a former USTA Tennessee staff member and UT-Chattanooga Hall of Fame inductee known for his tennis achievements. He was the 2000 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and rose to a national ranking of No. 67 in 2003. Together, they offer insights into the travel demands and...
2024-03-2716 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTeaching: true passion for former UT coach Elizabeth Henderson Elizabeth Henderson's life in tennis started by being No. 1 in numerous junior age levels in USTA Southern before being recognized as an All-American at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. She started her collegiate coaching odyssey at the University of North Carolina, followed by her first head coaching job at William & Mary. That led to a four-year stint as women's head tennis coach at the UT in Knoxville. She was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. For more than 30 years she has focused on her true passion: teaching young players at the Peninsula Club in Knoxville.
2024-03-1914 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleNo-Cut Coach Starfish Award winner John Cox We chatted with John Cox, whose volunteer work covers many areas of tennis, including numerous posts in USTA Southern. Still, he has a soft spot for the students of Bayou Academy in Cleveland, Miss., where he began coaching the tennis team in 2017. His goal is to make tennis "cool" and get players on court and practicing. Winning two state titles and being awarded the 2023 USTA Southern No-Cut Coach Starfish and USTA Mississippi Coach of the Year awards is just an extra bonus.
2024-03-1214 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleWHM: Local League Coordinator honoree Anna Martin We talk with the 2023 USTA Southern Local League Coordinator of the Year Anna Martin. She is a veteran of more than 23 years of promoting and organizing USTA League, providing a rich history of tennis in Wilmington, N.C. She now supports nearly 200 adult recreational teams. Martin highlights the importance of playing against players with similar skill levels for the Greater Wilmington (N.C) Tennis Association. She also serves as a teacher and director at a local church school.
2024-03-0611 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleThe weekly: 'Talking Tennis Southern Style' goes to weekly podcast Interviewed are two podcasters: Chris Godby & Chad Young of the awarding-winning "Game Set Match Kentucky!" After more than four years of uploading a two-interview podcast every other Thursday, the new "Talking Tennis Southern Style" plans on showcasing a single interview every Tuesday or Wednesday. Chris Godby & Chad Young produce "Game Set Match Kentucky!" Their podcast won the 2023 USTA Southern Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award for their show which concentrates on tennis in Central Kentucky Tennis Series CTA. The duo talked about content and the technical aspects of hosting the podcast from a home...
2024-02-2715 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAdult and Junior award winners - George "Ged" Schwing & Ryan Cozad George "Ged" Schwing was honored with the Slew Hester Male Player of the Year for top adult player. Schwing has been a member of Team Louisiana for the Callen Cup and served as a captain the last few years, along with competing on the winning Southern team at the 2022 Keith Donoff Cup. Ozaki-Hastings Junior Sportsmanship Award winner Ryan Cozad was recognized at the USTA National Clay Courts Championships, as he received their Sportsmanship Award. He loves competing in team events, especially the Ozaki Cup for Team Georgia, and in the Battle of Sections for Team...
2024-02-1519 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleBHM: Calvin Kemp plus advocating for tennis courts With the number of tennis players growing in the last five years, more tennis courts are needed. While some courts are being converted to pickleball courts, the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force is enabling grassroots advocates to make the case for adding, and not reducing, the number of tennis courts. Former Board Member Paul Pittman chairs the task force and explains the advocacy tools provided by USTA Southern. In our first episode of Black History Month, we interview Calvin Kemp of Lafayette, La. Kemp was honored with the 2023 Southern Tennis Professional of the Year and r...
2024-02-0125 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAustralian Open preview, a Mexican star on her French Open, women's tour successIt's a new year and time for our Grand Slam correspondent to preview American and Southern players. USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman calls in from Down Under with high hopes for players with Georgia roots: Coco Gauff, Taylor Townsend, Ben Shelton & Christopher Eubanks. Yolanda "Yola" Ramírez Ochoa won mixed doubles and finished as a singles finalist twice at Roland Garros. The former No. 6 in the world from Mexico chats about her illustrious career with her son, Ponch, a top-flight player himself.
2024-01-1133 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleIt's a wrap: Outstanding interviews in 2023! Finishing our fourth season, "Talking Tennis Southern Style" wraps up 2023 with compelling excerpts of eight of our favorite interviews. We are proud to highlight insightful conversations with these guests: Michelle Curry of the Althea Gibson CTA Tennis memorabilia collector and USTA Kentucky Past President Mike Eden USTA Chairman of the Board and President Dr. Brian Hainline USTA Georgia's Darren Potkey Jermaine Jenkins, practice partner of Serena and Venus Williams NJTL leader Belen Gomez-Jordana No. 1 Wheelchair Tennis player Zane Goodwin & mom Lara Polk Southern Hall of Famer Keith Richardson
2023-12-1422 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleFrom WTA & ATP tours to Southern Tennis Hall of Fame: Jane Preyer and Keith Richardson Jane Preyer made her mark as an All-American at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill before succeeding in the WTA Tour. She reached No. 43 and defeated some top players including Evonne Goolagong. Later she took to coaching and led the Duke University women to four ACC championships. Keith Richardson is now inducted into his fifth hall of fame. His career began with achievement at Appalachian State and was named a "Legend" in 2012. With victories over Kevin Curren and Eliott Teltscher, he rose to No. 63 in singles and No. 146 in doubles. Richardson also was honored as a te...
2023-11-3044 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleMarshall Happer's book, "Pioneers of the Game," documents the rise of the men's professional tours Marshall Happer headed the Men's Tennis Council from 1981-89, making him the only unofficial commissioner of men's professional tennis. He draws upon his extensive tennis background – including USTA Executive Director, USTA Southern President & CEO and Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee – in writing "Pioneers of the Game." The 871-page history documents the 40-year trek of men's professional tennis from the Open Era through the advent of the ATP Tour. Happer recounts his relationships with Jack Kramer, Phillippe Chatrier, Arthur Ashe, Lamar Hunt, Donald Dell, Tony Trabert, among others.
2023-11-2140 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleInclusive and accessible: Wheelchair tennis No. 1 junior and adaptive tennis supports blind, visually impaired Wheelchair tennis is booming and Zane Goodwin is riding the crest to the top of the game. The 16-year-old Birmingham, Ala., resident is the top junior wheelchair tennis player in the country and winner of the Cincinnati Wheelchair Open. Zane talks about his dedication to the sport while his mom, Lara Polk, describes how she loves traveling to tournaments nationwide. USTA Southern recently hosted a blind and visually impaired workshop that was conducted by the Georgia Academy for the Blind. Superintendent Dr. Cindy Gibson welcomed the opportunity to help sighted players experience the sport from the perspective o...
2023-11-1630 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUGA's SEC winningest coach Manny Diaz & holiday buying guide In a remarkable achievement, Manny Diaz, the veteran men's tennis coach at the University of Georgia, will be inducted into the prestigious Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, this January. Diaz reflects on his illustrious career, during which he achieved a remarkable SEC-record of 767 wins for the University of Georgia men's tennis team. He takes pride in his associations with renowned former American tennis star John Isner along with current NCAA champion, Ethan Quinn. Get ready to stock up on perfect tennis gifts for your favorite player! Tennis Warehouse's Michelle Heidbrink previews her favorite tennis merchandise, clothing, shoes, r...
2023-11-1033 minTalking Tennis Southern StylePlaying Tennis as an Adult: Former Atlanta Falcon player Brian Finneran, plus US Open Chief Umpire Andrew Walker Tennis is the sport of a lifetime and a former Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Brian Finneran is now excited about playing and watching tennis. He was wowed by the speed and athleticism of pro tennis players at the Atlanta Open. Brian can be heard on air on 680 The Fan, an Atlanta sports radio station. Andrew Walker worked four years at USTA Kentucky while rising in the ranks of tennis officiating. Now he is the Chief Umpire of the US Open. With October being LGBT History Month, Andrew recounted that when he was hired by the USTA Officiating...
2023-10-2637 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleHispanic Heritage Month: JTT captain extraordinaire Omar Alcaino, plus ITF captain Brenda Carter Omar Alcaino has been at the helm of seven straight USTA Mississippi Junior Team Tennis champion teams including winning a Southern 10 & Under Intermediate title this year. Embracing his Chilean heritage, he reflects on his journey, which led him to excel as a Sun Belt singles champion at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and thrive as a dedicated tennis coach. Brenda Carter achieved the impressive distinction of being ranked No. 1 in her age division eight times when she was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2015. Her remarkable success continues as Carter currently serves as...
2023-10-1227 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleHispanic Heritage Month: NJTL organizer Belén Gómez-Jordana, former NC State player Ponch Ochoa Talking Tennis Soutern Style promotes Hispanic Heritage Month. With almost twenty years of experience as a tennis teacher, Belén Gómez-Jordana founded the non-profit and NJTL United Tennis. In order to counter stereotypes, Gómez-Jordana created the Tennis for All program. She delivers group and individual classes at a very low cost. Gómez-Jordana volunteers on the USTA North Carolina Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is a former journalist at Telemundo Noticias Charlotte. Ponch Ochoa was an All-American at North Carolina State and cites his family background for launching his tennis career. He is the son of Fre...
2023-09-2832 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTeaching tennis: Football star Leigh Torrence and coach Dr. Mark Kovacs Leigh Torrence says tennis was his first love and dreamed of being another Arthur Ashe. He was a top-level junior out of Atlanta. Still, he's most famous for his NFL career, playing for six teams including the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, and coaching for the Saints and New York Jets. "I think tennis is demanding of you mentally … and great preparation for football." He recently took the USTA Coach Level 1 Workshop to begin teaching tennis. World-renowned sports performance researcher Dr. Mark Kovacs, from Marietta, Georgia, was an All-American and NCAA doubles champion at Auburn University and earned hi...
2023-09-1444 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleWheelchair tennis: Jennifer Edmonson & Chuck McCuenMore than 25 years ago, Jennifer Edmonson volunteered at the Cajun Classic, a wheelchair tennis tournament in Baton Rouge. Her role expanded to the USTA Southern Wheelchair Tennis Chair and then the USTA chair. Now, she takes on the role of US Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Director. Talking about wheelchair tennis in collegiate tennis is Chuck McCuen, who coaches at Clemson University. He started the program at Georgia State, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Our highlights include Isabella Graeber, winner of the Good Chase Sportsmanship Race, and Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame inductees Stephen Enochs and Ro...
2023-08-3134 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUS Open preview: Martin Blackman on Gauff, Pegula, Fritz and Tiafoe US Open preview: Martin Blackman on Gauff, Pegula, Fritz and Tiafoe UNC champion Carson Tanguilig heads to US Open doubles main draw It's US Open time! USTA's Martin Blackman previews the year's last Grand Slam and breaks down the chances of Americans Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. Alpharetta, Georgia's Carson Tanguilig won the NCAA women's doubles title, earning her and Fiona Crawley wild cards in the US Open doubles main draw. The duo were on the North Carolina Tar Heels national championship team which defeated
2023-08-1729 minTalking Tennis Southern Style"Second Serve" reaches out to USTA League players; Dr. Brian Hainline on the summer heat What is your pursuit in the middle years of life? Two USTA Southern volunteers decided they wanted to talk about USTA League tennis. North Carolina residents Carolyn Roach and Erin Conigliaro named their podcast "Second Serve" and connect with thousands of listeners to their weekly conversation. Everything from rules to pet peeves to etiquette questions are covered with a sense of humor and humility. This time of year is about playing in the Southern heat. We go to our top tennis health expert: USTA Chairman of the Board and President Brian Hainline. Dr. Hainline serves as NCAA Chi...
2023-08-0336 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAtlanta Open draws native Christopher Eubanks and another Georgia Tech player The annual ATP Tour 250 tournament – the Atlanta Open – has the game's breakout star Christopher Eubanks in the main draw. "Of course, he's playing" says Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs about the Atlanta native and former Georgia Tech star who played only a few miles away from the Atlantic Station site. The Tech connection continues with the second tournament appearance by GT player Andres Martin. Kenny Thorne, the men's coach, returns to the podcast to talk about the opportunities given to college players to compete on the ATP Tour. Our episode highlights are junior Juliana Diianni, of Marietta, Ga., USTA...
2023-07-2024 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA coaches Martin Blackman and Atlanta's Jermaine Jenkins on Americans at Wimbledon With American players competing at the Big W in London, USTA Director, Player Development Martin Blackman tracks the preparation of up-and-coming pros in Florida and European warmup events. He proudly mentions four US players who now reside in the top 10: Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. Among the Southerners he profiled include Taylor Townsend, Ben Shelton, Christopher Eubanks and Tommy Paul. USTA women's coach Jermaine Jenkins, Ga., zeros in on how to nurture high-level players with professional potential. Along with talking about his family - including brothers Jamere and Jackie, Jr. - from College...
2023-07-0632 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleFrom 'Bama to UGA, two collegiate tennis coaches reminisce about their outstanding careers Sone of the most exciting – and often overlooked – tennis matches are played on college campuses. These two coaches made their women's teams among the best in the country. As Alabama's women's tennis coach, Jenny Mainz was named the 2013 ITA National Coach of the Year and won two NCAA Doubles Championships in 2014 & 2015. She offers a rich history of how Alabama women's tennis rose from barely having a team to be one of the SEC best over her 26 years at the helm. Upon his retirement this year, Jeff Wallace was the winningest college coach in the country. His Bulldogs won N...
2023-06-2937 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleCelebrating Juneteenth with USTA Southern award winners: Vanita Phinisey of Golden Triangle Tennis and D&I Champion Ezekiel Salama USTA Southern presents more than 20 annual awards and we interview two in celebration of Juneteenth. Vanita Phinisey talks about her mission to promote tennis in Columbus, Miss., with the 3rd Annual Battle of the States. Hosted by Golden Triangle Tennis, the National Tennis Month tournament won the Special Tennis Event of the Year and featured inter-state competition and the ability of juniors to team with adults. The Diversity & Inclusion Champion went to Ezekiel Salama, who came from the Rising Stars NJTL of Kentucky. He is a top-level high school track and tennis athlete whose poise and hard work...
2023-06-0924 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAmerican prospects in the French Open with Martin Blackman and Darren Potkey on training the next generation of officials
2023-05-2532 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleHuntsville Pro Circuit tournament and Colette Lewis of ZooTennis on NCAAs May is National Tennis Month and it will shine brightly in the Rocket City as USTA Southern hosts a $15K Men's and Women's Pro Circuit event on clay in Huntsville, Ala. Tournament Director Milly Sequera Huss, known for her top-29 WTA career, is the tournament director and talks about HBCU players receiving wild cards. There are seven free local events throughout the tournament May 22-28 and USTA Southern staffer Claire Bartlett outlines activities for the young and not-so young. Just in time for all three NCAA team championships at the USTA National Campus, Lake Nona...
2023-05-1129 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA President Brian Hainline on health benefits, plus NTM with James McKissick We return to our roots and bring back Dr. Brian Hainline. Our first podcast guest returns now as the USTA Chairman of the Board and President. As NCAA Chief Medical Officer, lends even more credence to why he focuses on the great health benefits of tennis – 9.7 more years of life! With tennis participation skyrocketing, Brian also highlights how it has grown in Hispanic/Latino, Black/African and Asian/Pacific communities. He also supports the need for great sportsmanship and more officials to oversee the game. It's almost May, which means it's time for National Tennis Month! USTA So...
2023-04-2733 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleNational Tennis Month: Greg Lappin on health benefits and junior sportsmanship initiative with USTA Southern board member Ernie James USTA Delivery Council Chair Greg Lappin promotes National Tennis Month, a national initiative coming in May. Lappin champions the health benefits of tennis that increases your life by 9.7 years, clearly more than any other sport. He applauds USTA volunteers who are "creating positive healthy lifestyles." Additionally, he cites tennis participation has skyrocketed, adding 5.9 million Americans, a 33% increase since 2020 nationally. USTA Southern Board Member Ernie James, of Florence, S.C., is heading up a new initiative: Good Chase. The nomination process, starting May 1, will reward juniors who exhibit exemplary sportsmanship and contribute to a more positive and respectful tournament...
2023-04-1331 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA Southern President & CEO Brett Schwartz & Christine Keys, mother of Madison Taking the helm of USTA's largest section, Brett Schwartz is striving to improve NJTLs, public parks and grassroots efforts in nine states. He also chats about co-writing "Competitive Tennis" that helps players climb the USTA League NTRP ladder along with his work as Tennis Director at the Stone Creek Club & Spa. Madison Keys and her mother, Christine, established the Kindness Wins Foundation that "supports youth access to sports, education and their own desires to make a difference and create a kinder world." With the assistance of USTA South Carolina's April Gift, they funded improvements to the JV...
2023-03-3033 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA App premieres and Mike Eden: tennis collector extraordinaire USTA's digital presence took a major step forward with the release of its new app. USTA staffers Michael Hughes and Alanna Broderick describe its many features including listing WTN real-time status and rankings, recent tournament and USTA League results and other info all tennis players need at their fingerprints. The Apple version is available now, with the Android version set to release within the next month. Mike Eden is a former USTA Kentucky President whose passion is collecting tennis history. Among the hundreds of cans of balls, racquets, books, magazines and other historic memorabilia in his home...
2023-03-1633 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleWomen's History Month with Jaime Kaplan & Maria Cercone Through its long history and current program offerings, women continue to be a driving force within USTA Southern. We start with Jaime Kaplan, who rose to No. 91 in doubles on the WTA Tour and was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2020. She talks about her current role as Southern Tennis Foundation's Director, Development & Operations, spreading the word about its giving back mission and raising funds. Maria Cercone heads up junior tennis for USTA Southern and discusses the new Playoff Series which provides opportunities for players of diverse backgrounds to earn a wild card for t...
2023-03-0230 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleBlack History Month with Venecca Green & Michelle CurryWe celebrate Black History Month with leading voices in Black Tennis. Through the USTA Fellowship in Tennis Coaching and Leadership Powered by Athleta program, Venecca Green discovered a coaching opportunity at the HBCU and Division II Lane College. Even though she admitted she is at "retirement age", she proudly begins her coaching career at the helm of the Dragons women's & men's tennis programs in Jackson, Tenn. We honor the legacy and impact of the iconic Althea Gibson, winner of the US Open, Wimbledon and French Open. Michelle Curry, estate executor & COO of Althea Gibson CTA in Orange, N.J., ta...
2023-02-1632 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleBlack History Month with Art Carrington & Rex Miller We celebrate Black History Month with leading voices in Black tennis. First up Rex Miller is the film director of Althea, about the legendary Althea Gibson. He also produced Citizen Ashe about Arthur Ashe that was shown last year on CNN. The 2015 film about Gibson was partially inspired by his mother's 6-0, 6-1 loss to the International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee. Using a trove of historical photos, Miller was able to put together the leading film about the South Carolina native. He also mentions our next guest: Art Carrington. The author of Black Tennis: An Archival...
2023-02-0236 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAwards winners: Spirit-Cathy Greene, Tennis On Campus-Crawford Latham The award-winning Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, an international event with over 100 professional/recreational players and hundreds of spectators, does not happen without dedicated volunteers like Cathy Greene, of Lottie, Louisiana, She won the 2022 Marilyn Sherman Spirit Award. She always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude that lights up a room. Cathy also volunteers at the Hallowheel Tournament, working the tournament desk. Our second interview is with a leader who works the hard and achieves the most when no one is watching. She is University of South Carolina Club Tennis Vice President Crawford L...
2023-01-2123 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAtlanta native Alycia Parks, USTA's Martin Blackman talk Australian Open and 2023 Our Grand Slam correspondent – Martin Blackman of the USTA – previews American players heading into the Australian Open. With eight men aged 25 and younger in the ATP Tour top 50, Blackman sees a great 2023. Additionally, he says Atlanta native Ben Shelton, who past No. 100 in the world last year, is skyrocketing. He also discusses two top 10 women: former Atlantan Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. We continue to focus on Atlanta as native Alycia Parks sits at No. 75 in the world. The confident 22-year-old, who won in Angers last year, has a big serve and delivers forthright comments on her 2023 goals. Host...
2023-01-0528 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTalking Tennis Southern Style's Best of 2022 2022 was a banner year for tennis across USTA Southern. We replay excerpts from some of most engaging and favorite interviews from the past 12 months. Host Sam Crenshaw and audio producer Kyle Blackburn not only give their opinions on another great year of tennis conversations, but also their working camaraderie. Compiled interviewees are collegiate coaches Rodney Harmon (Georgia Tech women) & Chase Hodges (Georgia Gwinnett), TV personality Cindy Farmer, Doctors Eli Friedman & Neeru Jayanthi, Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Jorge Andrew, filmmaker Rex Miller, 2021 US Open women's singles finalist Leylah Fernandez, Tennisrecruiting.net founder Julie Wrege, tennis retail...
2022-12-1539 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAmerican Tennis News in 2022 Victoria Chiesa (USTA Assistant Managing Editor, Corporate Communications) describes the biggest event in American tennis this year: Serena Williams' retirement at the US Open. An editor of USTA.com, she also chronicles the rise of other American women on the WTA Tour in 2022, most notably former Atlanta player Coco Gauff. Unfortunately, the demise of the printed version of Tennis magazine is upon us. Senior writer Stephen Tignor talks about interviewing a young Roger Federer and other pros, along with how the magazine has supported recreational tennis players' interests for decades. Featured in our On the Rise segment...
2022-12-0135 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleSouthern Tennis Foundation: Funding College ScholarshipsPaul Pittman and Eleanora Mauritson shepherd the Southern Tennis Foundation's expanding number of college scholarships. Pittman chairs the Major Gifts Committee that has established 19 scholarships, beginning in 2016. In 2022 alone, the committee raised $220K to help 10 qualified high school seniors residing in the Southern Section with their higher education ambitions. Categories that qualifying students are judged on are tournament rankings, high school tennis and/or Junior Team Tennis and participation in NJTL or another USTA-sponsored program. Mauritson honored her late husband by donating $30,000 to start the David R. Mauritson Memorial Scholarship. David was an accomplished doctor, attorney and pilot, who a...
2022-11-1725 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTennis Warehouse's Michelle Heidbrink, Rick Limpert on holiday gifts With Black Friday ushering in the holiday gift-giving season, we talk to two recognized experts about ideas for the tennis player(s) in your life. Tennis Warehouse's Michelle Heidbrink updates us on an improved supply chain and what trendy apparel and new racquets are now in stock. Writer and commentator Rick Limpert provides tips on online gift purchasing, including the latest in shoes and zeroing in on tennis-related gifts. Our "On the Rise" Junior Spotlight this week features Kevin Praphan of Fort Smith, Arkansas. We also salute the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2023, Paula Hale and...
2022-11-0331 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleI Play Tennis's Dan Kester and Winston-Salem Open stringer David Yamane Dan Kester was a junior tennis player who also played on his University of North Carolina club team. His career path was in retail and he was an executive a national department store chain. Kester decided to combine his passion for tennis and sales. Living in Atlanta, known as the biggest tennis town in the country, he opened his store I Play Tennis. He welcomes a wide variety of clientele, including the local LGBQT+ community. David Yamane, of Big Time Tennis in Winston-Salem, N.C., was named the 2014 Racquet Sports Industry Stringer of the Year. He is...
2022-10-2130 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA Pro Events with Megan Rose & Andre Ferreira on college coaching and heading a CTA USTA Managing Director of Major Events Megan Rose talks about the variety of events she oversees including the USTA Pro Circuit and top-level wheelchair tennis tournaments, along with working on major international events such as Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. The 2023 USTA Pro Circuit calendar has 130 tournaments for the next generation of players, including over a dozen right here in USTA Southern. Andre Ferreira is unique as he not only coaches the Brenau women's tennis squad but also volunteers as President of Northeast Georgia Community Tennis Association (NEGTA). The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native discusses how...
2022-10-1332 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA Pro Events with Megan Rose & Andre Ferreira on college coaching and heading a CTA USTA Managing Director of Major Events Megan Rose talks about the variety of events she oversees including the USTA Pro Circuit and top-level wheelchair tennis tournaments, along with working on major international events such as Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. The 2023 USTA Pro Circuit calendar has 130 tournaments for the next generation of players, including over a dozen right here in USTA Southern. Andre Ferreira is unique as he not only coaches the Brenau women's tennis squad but also volunteers as President of Northeast Georgia Community Tennis Association (NEGTA). The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native discusses how...
2022-10-1332 min
Talking Tennis Southern StyleHispanic Heritage Month: David Marquina plus Coach Alan Green David Marquina works as Junior Programs Coordinator at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, N.C. He cites three core values - pride passion and purpose – as keys to impacting Hispanic families and young players. His primary goal is to introduce Hispanic communities to the sport. Xavier University of Louisiana men's and women's tennis coach Alan Green has been named ITA/NAIA National Coach of the Year three times and 25 other coaching awards. The New Orleans native was 2022 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He spoke about the challenges of collegiate tennis while his teams wer...
2022-09-2226 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleCollege Coaching with Scott Handback & Amy Bryant Scott Handback extensive tennis career now focuses on leading the Methodist University's Professional Tennis Management program. His students learn the ropes of working as a tennis coach, facility manager and other related fields. Amy Bryant was the first woman to win a tennis national championship as a player (1) and coach (7). She amassed 428 victories in 23 years leading the Emory women's team in DIII play. Her newest venture is Bryant College Coaching, which guide young athletes on their dream of playing collegiate sports. Our highlights focus on Lillie Murphy, of Knoxville, Tenn., and the Mobile, Alabama, Parks and Recreation...
2022-09-0837 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUS Open Preview with Tommy Paul plus Junior Team Tennis He finished 2018 ranked 202 but has hit a career-high No. 31 in the world this summer. That's the outstanding progression of Greenville, North Carolina's Tommy Paul. Chatting while playing the Atlanta Open, Paul described playing near his Southern home, preparing for the US Open and dealing with travel along with different surfaces and balls on the ATP Tour. Also interviewed is Tiffani Doyle, captain of the Nashville Hot Chickens, a Junior Team Tennis team that has been playing together for four years. They competed in Southern's National Championship Junior Team Tennis. Our highlights focus on junior brothers Kevaughn & Kaiden...
2022-08-2527 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleWinston-Salem Open & TennisRecruiting.netWinston-Salem Open Tournament Director Jeff Ryan talks about bringing former US Open champion Dominic Thiem and local favorite Tommy Paul to the men's pro tournament that proceeds the US Open. Julie Wrege served as junior tournament director of the currently running USTA Girls' 14 National Championship Presented by Coca-Cola in Rome, Ga., and its rich history in Georgia tennis. Then she co-founded the influential website – TennisRecruiting.net - that is the go-to for junior players and their parents. Our spotlights are twins and top juniors Addison & Kennedy Gragg from Louisville, Ky. and the Fort Smith (Ark.) Parks and Recreation Department.
2022-08-1232 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleRex Maynard and Belton, S.C.'s SPUD Tournament; ITHOF's Fashion Show in West Baton Rouge, La. The Special Populations Unified Doubles tournament, better known since its inception in 2009 as SPUD, is a USTA Southern event that features special athletes competing with unified doubles partners in a team competition. The 2022 tournament was played with great joy by athletes from four states. Longtime organizer and former USTA President & CEO Rex Maynard talks about hosting SPUD, along with Jim Hamm and Jack Barker, in his hometown of Belton, S.C. The International Tennis Hall of Fame's Courting Fashion is on display at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen, La. Curators Ferin Jones and Lauren...
2022-07-2832 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleAtlanta Open Preview: Leylah Fernandez and Andres Martin Described as the only ATP Tour event that features female players, US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez talks about her exhibition match vs. Coco Gauff (who played junior tennis out of Atlanta) at the upcoming Atlanta Open. The young Canadian is returning to action after a foot injury that kept her out of Wimbledon. Keeping with the tournament's tradition of supporting college tennis, Georgia Tech's Andres Martin talks about playing against a long list of top professionals. The Flowery Branch, Ga., player comes off reaching his first USTA Pro Circuit final. We spotlight Buford, Ga. junior S...
2022-07-1424 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleEditor Talks Wimbledon plus Tennis Pro with 366 Tips Karen Pestaina, the editor and founder of TennisPanorama.com, goes over the top Americans playing on the green lawns of London. She cites former Atlantan Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz as players who could go deep. Looking to help you up your performance year-round, Rob Carver has written 366 Days of Tennis: A Tip a Day to Improve Your Game. Based on his students writing down his advice, Carver, of Marietta, Ga., decided to do the same in 2020. It took him a year to compile his one-a-day book. In this episode's highlights are Rogers...
2022-07-0126 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleJuneteenth with Citizen Ashe Director Rex Miller and ATA's Roxanne Miller We celebrate Juneteenth with leading voices in Black tennis. First up is the director of Citizen Ashe. Tennis fan Rex Miller, of Durham, N.C., made a film about the famed athlete-activist Arthur Ashe, which makes its TV debut on CNN June 26 at 9 p.m. ET. He also directed a 2015 film about Althea Gibson, entitled Althea, along with numerous credits as an acclaimed cinemaphotographer. Also interviewed is Roxanne Aaron, President of the American Tennis Association. The ATA National Championships for Black tennis players were first played in 1920. Aaron has over 35 years of experience as an administrator for...
2022-06-1637 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleSpecial Bonus Episode: Martin Blackman & Michelle HeidbrinkIt's springtime which means the pros are on the red clay of Europe and players are sporting new fashions. Our Grand Slam correspondent, Martin Blackman of the USTA, talks about the top US players during the clay court season. As head of Player Development, he explains juniors on the rise. Michelle Heidbrink reveals the current fashion trends in the Tennis Warehouse catalog. She reveals how much influence touring pros have on what sponsor clothing they wear (not much!) and talks about new racquets in 2022.
2022-06-0633 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA Southern Executive Director & COO Matt Olson and Southern Tennis HOF's Jorge Andrew USTA Southern has its first Executive Director & COO in 33 years with the hiring of Matt Olson. With experience working for Southern more than 20 years ago, Olson headed up USTA Atlanta and USTA New England before coming back to Southern this year. He talks about his grassroots experience starting in Macon, Ga. He also discusses National Tennis Month and the ITF World Tennis Number. Jorge Andrew, of West Columbia, S.C., talks about his induction into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame based on his play on his native Venezuela's Davis Cup team along with climbing to No. 61...
2022-06-0235 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUS Open Mixed Doubles Champion Melanie Oudin on Coaching Junior Girls One of the USTA Southern's most renown players over the last 20 years, 2011 US Open Mixed Doubles champion and crowd favorite Melanie Oudin is now focusing on teaching tennis to girls. She is a partner in Tennis Girl Nation and talks about focusing on the mental side of tennis with advanced junior girls. She also discusses her passion for coaching for USTA Southern teams. Two doctors – Neeru Jayanthi of Emory Hospital in Atlanta and Eli Friedman of Miami - tell you how to adapt before and after playing in the Southern summer heat. Ozaki-Hastings Sportsmanship - Ma...
2022-05-1935 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleNational Tennis Month with Cindy Farmer & John Isner Cindy Farmer, of FOX 8 in Greensboro, N.C., is an Emmy award-winning TV with more than 30 years of experience. She is an avid tennis player and has been honored with the USTA Grady Elmore Award. Part of her mission is to help promote May as National Tennis Month. She says her best friends are her tennis teammates, and she volunteers for USTA North Carolina. Also commenting on NTM and his love of playing at the Atlanta Open is a native of Greensboro, John Isner. A collegiate champion at the University of Georgia, he climbed to No. 8 in...
2022-05-0527 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleUSTA League Tennis Pioneer; Georgia Gwinnett Juggernaut Pat Devoto has been labeled the "mother of USTA League" as she was the key pioneer to form the largest team tennis program in the world. A well-known novelist writing under the name of Pat Cunningham Devoto, Pat has taught tennis and reading in an Alabama prison and volunteered for decades promoting USTA tennis. She has won all of the USTA Southern highest honors. Georgia Gwinnett tennis coach Chase Hodges is by far the most successful in the NAIA. His men's and women's teams have won 13 national titles, named NAIA National Coach of the Year 13 times. Currently...
2022-04-2137 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleBJK Cup Coming to Asheville, Remembering John Callen The Billie Jean King Cup – formerly the Fed Cup – returns to Asheville, N.C., for the third time in five years. With the U.S. women playing Ukraine, the USTA will donate 10% of the ticket revenue from the event to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund by Global Giving. Volunteer coordinator and Asheville tennis icon Jeff Joyce takes us behind the scenes (and into the stadium basement) as he chats about the leading more than 100 local volunteers. With the passing of longtime USTA Southern Executive Director & COO John Callen this week, we revisit our episode from last December with...
2022-04-0735 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleCharleston WTA Tournament: Director and Volunteer Tournament Director Bob Moran has been an integral part of the Credit One Charleston Open (April 2-10) since 1999, leading the Hologic WTA 500 event. In 2007, Moran was appointed President and is responsible for the overall operations of Charleston Tennis LLC. A native of the Lowcountry, John Sigler has been a long-time volunteer with the WTA event. In 2015, he was honored as the Tournament Volunteer of the Year. Sigler is the Chairman of the Board for WakeUp Carolina, a local nonprofit that works to help families struggling with substance misuse. In our spotlights shine on junior Madeleine Rexroat, of Milto...
2022-03-2434 min
Talking Tennis Southern StyleWHM: WTA Medical Experts; Southern Hall of Famer Susan SloaneNeed advice on playing tennis through a pregnancy? Hologic WTA Tour Primary Health Care Provider Lindsey Ayala and Coordinator, Performance Health Education & PHCP Anna Peavler give medical advice to women. From a historical perspective, Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee and Kentucky native Susan Sloane tells the story of rising from No. 1 in the Southern Girls' 12 at the age of 9 to the No. 19 on the Hologic WTA Tour. Our spotlights shine on junior Thompson Maner, of Fayetteville, Ark., and two top adults and USTA Southern Slew Hester Award winners Cindy Babb, Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Chris Bussert, of...
2022-03-1034 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleTennis On Campus Comes to Georgia's Rome: University of Alabama's Brooke Turner & Georgia Tech's Mark Barrow Tennis on Campus is a national USTA program highlighting collegiate club teams, filled with students of varying tennis backgrounds and experiences. Many of the TOC participants could compete at the varsity level at many schools throughout the South. USTA Southern TOC Chair Brooke Turner, who works at the University of Alabama, talks about collegians playing in this team-centered program on a local, sectional and national level. Her work helps support a student like Mark Barrow, the Georgia Tech TOC President. His team recruited more than 250 players. After tryouts, GT found a winning set of players, whose predecessors w...
2022-02-2431 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleGeorgia Tech Women's Tennis Coach Rodney Harmon topped out at No. 56 in the world. Andy Andrews was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame based on an ATP career where he rose to No. 78 and was elected USTA First Vice President. Georgia Tech Women's Tennis Head Coach Rodney Harmon has a impressive career that topped out at No. 56 in the world. Harmon grew up in Richmond, Va., where he was mentored by the great Arthur Ashe. He reflected on being a Black youngster driving down Monument Avenue where the Confederate leaders cast a negative shadow on his upbringing. Andy Andrews was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame based on an ATP career where he rose to No. 78. He also has a devotion to volunteered for the USTA and was elected USTA First Vice President and held...
2022-02-1044 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleHeart Health & Black History Months Tennis provides the best health benefits in sport, giving you 9.7 more years of life over sedentary individuals and can cut cardiovascular disease by 56% by playing three hours a week! Two doctors – Neeru Jayanthi of Emory Healthcare in Atlanta and Eli Friedman of Miami - tell you have to enjoy playing while you improve your heart health. We celebrate Black History Month with Mike Harden of the award-winning MACH Academy, an NJTL in Augusta, Ga. In our spotlights are junior Reagan Mangan, of Goshen, Ky. and Coach Andy Mizell of Margaret Allen Middle School, in Nashville, Tenn.
2022-01-2729 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleMartin Blackman: Australian Open; Christopher Eubanks Martin Blackman is back as our Grand Slam correspondent, talking about the American men and women and how they prepare for the Australian Open. He discusses everyone from Sebastian Korda to recently married Sloane Stephens. One of the United States' standouts, Atlanta native and former Georgia Tech star Christopher Eubanks, talks about winning in Knoxville last year and going from Florida to the hotter environment of Melbourne. Our teacher/coach spotlight shines on Keheley Elementary School's Stephanie Lawson, and our featured junior, Liam Beckler, of Bluffton, SC.
2022-01-1437 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleThe Best of the Best: 2021+ Classics QuotesWe recap our 2021 Talking Tennis Southern Style episodes, including our initial show from May 2020. Here are the quotes from individuals who provided their own perspective on tennis: USTA First Vice President and NCAA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Hainline, USTA Southern President & CEO Randy Jackson, wheelchair tennis player & advocate Kelly Flouhouse, USTA Secretary-Treasurer and openly gay player Brian Vahaly, Southern Tennis Foundation Chairman Derek White, Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, former star North Carolina State tennis player – and UGA football coach – Jim Donnan, ESPN reporter Kris Budden and Tennessee State University's Dr. Harriet Kimbro-Hamilton.
2021-12-1649 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleJohn Callen: Retiring after 33 Years, with Randy Stephens John Callen has headed USTA Southern since 1989 and has announced his retirement effective in January. He tells his personal story of learning tennis in Birmingham, AL, playing as co-captain at Georgia Tech and then moving on to leading the USTA's largest section for more than three decades. Joining him is his long-time friend, doubles partner, fellow Southern Tennis Hall of Famer and volunteer Randy Stephens. He talks about the many years they have worked to grow tennis in the South. Highlighted this episode are junior Julia Fair Gaines of Belden, MS, and the coach of Maryville (TN...
2021-12-0234 minTalking Tennis Southern StyleSouthern Tennis Foundation's Mission and College Scholarships USTA Southern has a charitable arm called the Southern Tennis Foundation that supports hundreds of thousand of dollars in college scholarships, financial aid, NJTL support and other areas. Chairman Derek White and volunteer leaders Paul Pittman and Rex Maynard talk about new college scholarship funds, notably more than $60,000 raised in honor of retiring USTA Southern Executive Director & COO John Callen. The foundation also maintains the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame. Our spotlights feature junior Robert Bauer, of Suwanee, GA, and John Paoletti, the coach of Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA.
2021-11-1837 min