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Three Tips for Entrepreneurial Success

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Free Entrepreneur Idea photo and picture

The world of tennis is fully of entrepreneurs. As a newbie entrepreneur, you will want to follow the three tips given below to boost your chances of entrepreneurial success.

Keep reading!

Be Passionate about the Business Idea 

You will always want to choose a product or service for your business that you are passionate about. Why, you might ask. Well, the answer is as simple as this: while everything will eventually run out, your passion will be the ultimate driving force of your business, and it will stand the test of time. 

Also, passion will keep you inspired, even if you choose a niche that is new in the market. Suppose you have a passion for tennis, and you are an avid follower of tennis; you can build your business around your passion. Your passion for the subject matter will help you set a solid foundation for your business.

More importantly, you will have an amazing brand story to tell. Your passion will give you the much-needed motivation and confidence to reach your business goals. So, make sure to choose a business idea that corresponds to your passion because passion is the key to thriving as a potential entrepreneur. 

Understand Legal Issues

If you have found a business idea you are passionate about, then it is time to start the business venture. Many people start by jotting down a business plan. While you are at it, you might as well understand the legal aspects of running the business. 

You will want to understand things related to the question of what is beneficial owner and how it is linked with the business structure that you chose for your company. You will also want to understand everything related to contract law and employment law because running a business includes hiring people and signing contracts. 

By understanding the legal aspects of running a business, you can ensure that your business complies with your state’s law and that you don’t face legal issues. You might want to get a banker or a lawyer onboard so they can guide you about the various legal and financial sides of running a business. This way, you will also be able to make better and well-informed decisions about your business. 

Focus on Business Networking 

You cannot run a company on your own. We aren’t talking about hiring talent and getting people on board to take over certain aspects of your business, but we are referring to the importance of business networking, where you connect with like-minded people from your industry, including other entrepreneurs and business mentors. 

Business networking is an essential source of support and valuable resources for your company’s growth. You will want to establish a high-quality business network to avail yourself of countless opportunities to access recruitment leads, boost ROI, and gain insights into crucial industry knowledge. 

The right business network will enable you to get access to fundamental information that can help you with your company’s success and also help you with polishing your entrepreneurial skills. You can learn about emerging trends and receive valuable business mentorship and insights that aren’t usually available in the market for outsiders. You can identify new business opportunities and boost the chances of business success.

A Pickleball Channel Is Now Reality

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Tennis Channel and the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour) have launched Pickleballtv (PBTV), a television network completely devoted to America’s fastest-growing sport. Available now on Amazon Freevee and Fubo, the new, 24-hour media home of pickleball will show more than 30 top-level live PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) team events, original programming and a weekly studio news show.  Pickleballtv, like Tennis Channel, will offer thorough coverage of the sport’s professional ranks along with content created for its expanding number of recreational enthusiasts.  

Making its debut during the PPA Tour National Championships in Dallas this week, Pickleballtv will most often show live or encore match coverage featuring the best professional players in the world battling at the most important events in the sport. Interspersed with this competition are Getting to Know You features on the men and women who make up the PPA Tour and MLP, stars like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau. There will also be instructional programs that help amateurs understand and improve their own on-court capabilities, with episodes on serve strategy, dinking, volley drills, midcourt play, backhands, shifting and overheads, among others. A celebrity pickleball show is in the works, as is a weekly studio news show.   Both the PPA Tour and Tennis Channel expect Pickleballtv to become one-stop shopping for fans who want to stay on top of this exponentially growing sport.  

“Tennis Channel and the PPA Tour are doing something that hasn’t been done before – taking a fast-growing sport in its infancy and attaching an experienced, state-of-the-art media arm to its development in the form of Pickleballtv,” said Ken Solomon, president, Tennis Channel. “We have no doubt that 24/7, consistent, daily coverage of the best players, events and news on a dedicated pickleball channel will generate new fans and give existing ones a place to call home,  thus expanding the sport’s overall reach and global popularity. We’ve driven massive new awareness with Tennis Channel during the past two decades and we expect nothing less with this exciting new network and explosive, young pro sport and easy-to-learn, highly addictive grassroots game.”  

According to February’s annual Sports & Fitness Industry Association Topline Participation Report, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for three consecutive years, increasing 159% in that time. Professional tennis stars Jack Sock, Genie Bouchard and Sam Querrey have recently thrown their hats into the PPA Tour ring and will appear on Pickleballtv. Meanwhile, MLP, the team league that is part of the PPA Tour, has garnered attention due to a long line of well-known owners, including Tom Brady, Eva Longoria, LeBron James, Chris Evert, Naomi Osaka and Hall of Fame Tennis Channel-analyst Tracy Austin.  

“The PPA Tour has worked in lockstep with Tennis Channel, and we’re proud to launch Pickleballtv coinciding with the largest tournament in pickleball history.  There are so many exciting things happening in our sport right now, and the addition of daily media coverage capable of reaching an unprecedented audience for the sport is a watershed moment for pickleball enthusiasts everywhere who want continuous access to a host of unique and innovative content,” said Connor Pardoe, founder and CEO of the PPA Tour.  “The PPA Tour is home to tremendously gifted athletes who deserve to be household names, and Pickleballtv will facilitate that transition.  Prepare to be entertained with a variety of outstanding programming that will take your fandom to new heights!”  

The launch coincides with the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Powered by Invited and the PPA Tour in Dallas, one of the largest events of the season. Pickleballtv provided live coverage of a celebrity pickleball exhibition that featured a variety of Texas-related sports stars. The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown showcased basketball’s Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, football’s Tony Romo, golf’s Scottie Scheffler, hockey’s Marty Turco and tennis’ John Isner joined by several of the best players on the PPA Tour.  

In September Tennis Channel and the PPA Tour announced a commercial joint venture to grow pickleball in the United States and around the world. Under the agreement, most PPA Tour matches appear live on Tennis Channel’s various media platforms and both organizations coordinate advertising-sales activities. Tennis Channel also produces all events for the PPA Tour, regardless of the media outlets on which they first appear. The PPA Tour and Tennis Channel are in conversation with multiple distribution partners to roll Pickleballtv out to as many homes as possible.  

About Carvana PPA Tour The Carvana PPA Tour is the professional tour of pickleball, organizing events and rankings for the top male and female pickleball players worldwide and awarding more than $5.5 million in annual prize money with equal play and pay. The Carvana PPA Tour is set to host 25 events in 2023 at world-class facilities like the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Mission Hills Country Club in California, and the Darling Tennis Center and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Inviting all to compete and “play where the pros play,” the Carvana PPA Tour offers amateur divisions of play for every level, unparalleled experiences for fans and spectators, gorgeous venues, pro player meet-and-greets, food/beverages, live entertainment, VIP upgrades, giveaways and games, shopping, vendors, and more. Founded in 2018 and based in Salt Lake City, the Carvana PPA Tour is operated by parent corporation, Pickleball.com. For more information, go to www.ppatour.com. See Pro Player Profiles and follow us on social: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tennis Channel (www.tennischannel.com) which is owned by Sinclair Inc., is the only television-based multiplatform destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle. The network has the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television in one of the world’s most voluminous sports, with multiple men’s and women’s tournaments and singles, doubles and mixed competition throughout the year. Tennis Channel has rights at the four majors – US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open) and Australian Open – and is the exclusive U.S. home of all men’s ATP World Tour and women’s WTA Tour competitions, Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, United Cup, and Laver Cup. Direct-to-consumer streaming service Tennis Channel Plus is available to everyone in the United States and allows subscribers to select from another 4,500 live and on-demand matches and award-winning content from short-form to films throughout the tennis season. Tennis Channel International bring live competition and network content to markets in Europe and Asia via digital subscription and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels. Additional platform www.tennis.com is the largest digital outlet dedicated to the sport. Tennis Channel also manages a network of close to 20 podcasts.  

About Sinclair, Inc. Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD and The Nest; and owns and provides services to 21 regional sports network brands. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

What Is Next For Newport After The Hall of Fame Championships “Retirement”?

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By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

After 2024, the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the only grass court pro tennis tournament outside of Europe, will be no longer.

The ATP Tour announced on November 8, 2023 that the long-time annual tournament held on the historic grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I. will be “retired” in a new-look ATP Tour schedule. Basically, with the events in Canada and Cincinnati going from one-week events to two week events, tournament weeks needed to be sacrificed. Newport, held the week after Wimbledon, and the Atlanta Open, played the week after Newport, were the sacrificial lambs.

In announcing their tournament’s upcoming swan-song in 2024, the International Tennis Hall of Fame labeled its email blast press release “New era of professional tennis to begin in 2025 for International Tennis Hall of Fame.” The Hall of Fame’s press release stated in its first sentence, “The International Tennis Hall of Fame will be introducing new professional tennis events in Newport in 2025” and then stated. “The ITHF is also in the process of reimagining professional tennis in Newport with the expectation that beginning in 2025 a new era of pro tennis on the historic courts will begin.”

Dan Faber, the new Hall of Fame CEO, said in the press release, “World-class tennis has been part of the fabric of Newport for nearly 150 years and will continue to have an ongoing presence at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The ITHF is actively exploring the opportunities to host new professional tennis events in Newport. In addition, we will continue to strengthen our digital programming, museum and visitor experience, worldwide presence, and presentation of the Ultimate Honor in Tennis – induction into the Hall of Fame.”

Newport is undoubtedly one of the most historic and treasured venues for tennis. A major part of promoting tennis (or any type of event) is promoting its history and tradition. High-level tournaments have been held at the Newport Casino since 1881 when the first edition of the modern-day U.S. Open was held there. The site hosted the U.S. Championships until 1914 and continued to host annual events in the summer grass court events on the “Eastern Circuit” as well some Davis Cup matches among other special events.

So what event will replace the officially sanctioned ATP Tour event? The Hall of Fame could go “full circle” and have an exhibition event, which is exactly what the inaugural edition of the Hall of Fame Championships was in 1976, when Vijay Amritraj won the title. At the time, in only the eighth full year of pro tennis in the “Open Era,” the event was not an ATP sanctioned event but was labeled an exhibition event. It was actually then held in September after the U.S. Open and not in the current July date. To boot, the semifinal and final-round matches were best-of-five set matches with Amritraj beating Brian Teacher 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a four-set final. (The ATP, retroactively, recognized this, among other events during this nebulous era of pro tennis, as an “official” event for the sake of player’s historical records.)

In 2025 and 2026, there will still be an open week after Wimbledon on the pro tennis calendar and, presumably, before the start of the Washington, D.C. combined ATP and WTA tournament, which could allow for some ATP and WTA pros to play some sort of Newport exhibition event – perhaps an eight or 16-player mini prize money tournament – that would not conflict with an ATP or WTA tournament that week in North America. This would be, presumably, the week where the traditional ATP clay-court events are held in Gstaad, Switzerland and Bastad, Sweden, as part of a mini clay-court circuit that also includes the 500-level event in Hamburg, Germany. This is also the week where the new Hopman Cup was played in Nice, France on clay in 2023. Could perhaps the Hopman Cup find a new home in Newport for this week after Wimbledon?

During the 2023 Hall of Fame Open, a “Ultimate Tennis Showdown” event was held in Carson, California, that was won by U.S. No. 1 Taylor Fritz over Wu Yibing in the final. Could this event slide into the Newport week? This event featured an experimental format (read more here https://www.uts.live/) which would be in the spirit of the Hall of Fame’s founder, Jimmy van Alen, who hosted several events at the Newport Casino with experimental formats, including tiebreaker matches (which were not implemented in official tennis until 1970) and matches where players had to serve from farther behind the baseline than normal.

Some have speculated that perhaps the Hall of Fame Championships could continue as a WTA event. The Newport Casino did host a women’s Virginia Slims event from 1971 to 1998 as you can read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Slims_of_Newport It could also continue as an ATP Challenger event, one rung below the ATP Tour level. If one analyzed some of the draws of past ATP editions of the Hall of Fame Championships have you would see that the fields were not unlike some Challenger level events, minus one or two higher-ranked players who likely accepted guarantees to play the event. In 2023, Alex Michelsen, with a ranking of No. 250, gained a main draw entry into the tournament, which is about as low as a ranking as one can remember receiving a direct entry into an ATP event and is more on par with a Challenger event. Despite the relatively weak field by ranking, the tournament in 2023 featured sold out crowds most of the week, which is indicative how popular this event was in Rhode Island and the New England area, regardless of the ranking quality of the field. A Challenger-level event would feature a similar-level field, minus a few top 40 or so ranked players.

More speculation has included a “senior” tennis event to replace the Hall of Fame Championships. The Newport Casino, in recent years, have hosted a separate senior event on the former Outback Champions Series tour, run by Jim Courier’s company InsideOut Sports & Entertainment. In 2008, it received added attention when John McEnroe was defaulted from his match, as documented here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RMnT_-AjRo. This was first held separately from the Hall of Fame Open as a stand-alone multiple-day event in August, but later was held in conjunction with the event as a four-player one-day event that was held before the Sunday singles final. However, this tour, most recently branded as the PowerShares Series, is on pause and not currently hosting any tournaments.

While the Hall of Fame decides on what type of event will replace its ATP tournament, the organization does look forward to many years of blockbuster Hall of Fame inductees, including likely first-ballot inductees such as Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan in 2025, Roger Federer in 2027 (with perhaps Serena Williams, who has yet to officially announce her retirement technically, joining him) and then Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka to follow when they finally officially hang up their sneakers.

John McEnroe en route to being defaulted at the 2008 InsideOut Sports & Entertainment run Outback Champions Series “senior” tennis event played in August of 2008 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

Novak Djokovic Eyeing Up a Historic 2024

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Novak Djokovic is showing no signs of slowing down at the tender age of 36. Looking back on the year, 2023 has certainly been a successful year by anyone’s standards, with the Serbian having claimed three majors for the fourth time in his career. However, 2024 could be an even better year, with the world number one on track to break records.

Reclaim the Wimbledon Crown

One of the most important tasks on Djokovic’s 2024 to-do list will surely be to reclaim his Wimbledon crown. After winning four consecutive Wimbledon titles, he was finally dethroned in 2023, putting an end to his chances of winning the Grand Slam.

He’ll no doubt be back with a vengeance next year. Those looking to bet on tennis with Betfair will find Djokovic as the second favourite, currently priced at 8/5, streaks ahead of Russian Daniil Medvedev (11/1).

Djokovic won’t just have the Grand Slam on his mind. He’ll also be eyeing up Wimbledon’s most successful men’s player: Roger Federer. The Swiss legend won the historic competition eight times, and seven-time champion Djokovic will be looking to draw level.

Become the Third Man to Win the Grand Slam

Djokovic also narrowly missed out on becoming only the third man ever to win all four majors in a calendar year. As highlighted in this article by the US Open, American Don Budge was the first to accomplish this feat in 1938 before Australian Rod Laver did it twice in the 1960s.

Although Djokovic won all four majors in a row, that doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as a Grand Slam. He has previously been denied the Grand Slam by Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka at the 2011 and 2015 French Open, respectively, as well as falling at the final hurdle in 2021, losing out to Medvedev in the US Open.

The Serbian has come mightily close on many occasions, and this would certainly leap to the top of his greatest achievements should he get his hands on all four majors in 2024.

Become the Most Decorated Tennis Player Ever

Perhaps the most important milestone of all, Djokovic could become the most decorated tennis player in the history of the sport. Not the most decorated men’s player; not the most decorated Open Era player; the most successful human ever to grace the court.

The record is within touching distance. Australian tennis legend, Margaret Court, is currently level with the joint most major titles to her name, with 13 Amateur Era wins and 11 Open Era wins. Djokovic has 24 majors himself, one clear of icon Serena Williams and two in front of the much-loved Spaniard Nadal.

Many already consider Djokovic the greatest player ever. Not only does the number of major victories speak for itself, but the variety of triumphs only further his claim.

As reported by the Guardian, Djokovic already sits atop the leaderboard for most Australian Open wins with 10. A Grand Slam in 2024 would see him also tie Federer for the most Wimbledon titles and most Open Era US Open titles. In the same breath, he could become the most successful player of all time and end the half-century wait for a man to win the elusive Grand Slam. What a year it could be for Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic (Photo by Justin Cohen Photography)

Mayotte’s Coaching Journey: Molding Future Tennis Stars

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The transformation from a professional tennis player to a coach is a remarkable evolution, replete with new challenges and rich opportunities for growth. Tim Mayotte’s journey from the ATP courts to the coaching arena is a testament to this metamorphosis.  

This article aims to provide an in-depth look at his transition to coaching, his distinctive philosophy, his engagement with emerging tennis talents, and the broader impact he’s had in the tennis world.

From Pro Player to Prodigy Mentor

Tim Mayotte’s shift from competing in professional circuits to coaching aspiring athletes marked a significant pivot in his career. The transition wasn’t merely a change in roles; it represented a profound transformation in perspective and purpose.

Embracing a New Role

Upon retiring from professional play, Mayotte embarked on a new journey, one that involved shaping the next generation of tennis stars. His early days in coaching were characterized by an eagerness to translate his rich reservoir of on-court experiences into valuable lessons for his trainees.

Despite the challenges of adapting to this new role, Mayotte’s commitment to coaching was unwavering. He diligently worked on refining his teaching techniques, all the while ensuring that the essence of his playing style and strategies were effectively communicated to his students.

The Philosophical Backbone of Mayotte’s Coaching

A coach’s philosophy is the bedrock upon which their mentoring strategies are built. For Mayotte, this philosophy is deeply rooted in the experiences and insights he garnered during his illustrious career as a professional player.

While discussing Mayotte’s coaching blueprint, it’s intriguing to consider how the dynamics of tennis extend beyond the court, especially through avenues like sports betting, which add another layer of excitement to the game. With platforms like the BetMGM sportsbook, fans have the opportunity to engage with tennis in a unique way. Learn how the BetMGM sportsbook can elevate the excitement of tennis with a Massachusetts bonus code, while also exploring the impact of a coach’s insights.

Just as Mayotte crafts a strategy for his players, bettors use insights and knowledge to make informed decisions, adding a compelling dimension to the spectator experience.

A Blend of Mental Fortitude and Skill

Mayotte’s approach to coaching is grounded in a balanced emphasis on mental strength and technical proficiency. He fervently believes in the instrumental role of psychological resilience in shaping an athlete’s success trajectory.

His coaching sessions are meticulously designed to not just enhance the physical capabilities of his protégés but to fortify their mental tenacity as well. It’s this holistic approach to coaching that has been a hallmark of Mayotte’s training regimen.

Overcoming Coaching Challenges

The transition from player to coach is accompanied by a unique set of challenges. Mayotte’s journey was no different, as he had to navigate the intricacies of coaching and player development.

Learning and Adapting on the Fly

One of the key challenges that Mayotte encountered was the need for constant adaptation and learning. The world of tennis coaching is dynamic, with new techniques and strategies continuously shaping the landscape.

Mayotte demonstrated remarkable adaptability, evolving his coaching methods to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it was incorporating cutting-edge technology in training sessions or introducing novel fitness regimes, Mayotte’s ability to adapt and innovate played a pivotal role in his success as a coach.

Impact on Emerging Tennis Talents

A coach’s influence on their athletes can be profound, profoundly shaping their skills, mindset, and approach to the game. Mayotte’s impact on the emerging tennis talents he coached has been significant, with several of his protégés achieving noteworthy success.

Success Stories and Milestones

Under Mayotte’s tutelage, several young players have carved out successful paths for themselves. These success stories are a testament to Mayotte’s effectiveness as a coach and mentor. His ability to identify and nurture talent, coupled with his commitment to developing each player’s unique strengths, has resulted in numerous achievements and milestones for his protégés.

The Ripple Effect of Mayotte’s Coaching

The influence of a coach like Mayotte extends beyond the individual successes of his students. His coaching philosophy and methods have contributed to the broader tennis ecosystem, influencing coaching practices and player development strategies across the board.

Shaping the Future of Tennis Coaching

Mayotte’s coaching philosophy and innovative approaches have resonated within the tennis community, influencing how coaches around the world mentor their players. His emphasis on mental resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning has become integral components of contemporary coaching strategies. As such, Tim Mayotte’s impact on the world of tennis coaching has been both profound and far-reaching.

Final Thoughts

In the annals of tennis, the odyssey from a professional player to a sage coach is one marked by profound transformation. Timothy Mayotte’s foray into coaching after an illustrious career on the ATP circuit is a narrative that encapsulates this metamorphosis. It is a tale not merely of a change in roles but of a significant paradigm shift. As a mentor, Mayotte has harnessed his rich tapestry of on-court experiences and channelled them into a coaching philosophy that’s as much about mental resilience as it is about finesse and skill.

Throughout his coaching career, Mayotte has adeptly navigated an array of challenges, showcasing a remarkable capacity for adaptation and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. His journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to innovation and an enduring dedication to learning—qualities that have not only enriched his protégés but have also made ripples in the broader coaching fraternity.

Mayotte’s influence on his mentees is indelible, with their successes bearing testimony to the potency of his mentorship. His impact, however, transcends individual triumphs; it’s woven into the very fabric of tennis coaching. His philosophy and methodologies have contributed significantly to the contemporary landscape of player development, echoing through the corridors of the tennis world and shaping its future.

Mayotte’s coaching journey is more than just a chronicle of transition; it’s a saga of resilience, evolution, and enduring influence. His legacy, etched not only in the accomplishments of those he’s mentored but also in the progressive strides of tennis coaching, will continue to inspire and guide future generations.

In sum, Tim Mayotte‘s transition from the limelight of professional play to the nurturing shadows of coaching is a testament to the transformative power of dedicated mentorship. His journey and its impact offer a compelling narrative of growth, innovation, and lasting influence in the world of tennis.

Talking About Borg (Not Bjorn) At The Georgia vs. Florida Football Game

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By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

“Do you know what Borg is?” asked the University of Georgia co-ed at the annual Georgia vs. Florida game in Jacksonville, Florida.

“Yes,” I replied. “He was my favorite tennis player as a kid.”

Of course I knew my answer in this conversation from the south end zone stands at EverBank Stadium at this big-time college football game was incorrect in this context, which was during a discussion of University of Georgia parties on “Frat Beach” on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia during the annual football game that is dubbed “The World‘s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”

The student laughed at my answer and I’m not quite sure that she knew that I was referencing Bjorn Borg of Sweden, one of the greatest tennis players of all time and winner of 11 major titles including five straight at Wimbledon from 1976 to 1980, decades before she was born. She may not even have known of the University of Georgia’s own Swedish tennis champ, Mikael Pernfors, who won two NCAA singles titles for the “Dawgs” in 1984 and 1985 and for whom the main stadium court is named on the Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia.

“No… it’s a drink,” she said. “We go to the beach and have Borgs. Everyone gets dressed in costumes and goes to the beach. It’s always the weekend before Halloween.”

Arnold Palmer is the only athlete I can think of that has a drink named after him, a combo of iced tea and lemonade. So what exactly is a Borg, even if it has nothing to do with Bjorn Borg?

It stands for Black Out Rage Gallon, I was told.

I laughed and asked “What’s in it?”

Evidently, it’s a half gallon of water and then the other half is vodka and some sort of flavored drink and I actually couldn’t remember what she said was also in it, maybe out of shock and maybe because I didn’t want to know and certainly it would not be something I would drink a gallon of at one sitting. I have a hard time finishing a gallon of milk before the expiration date.

I wasn’t too much of a prude during my days as a University of Georgia student from 1988-1991. I sometime joke with people that if you go to Georgia you kind of automatically have a minor in drinking. I shot-gunned and funneled beers and would often not shy away from doing a shot of hard liquor. I doubt I would have had a take at a Borg though. While I sometimes wish I could go back in time to be a a college student again, this reality made me happy to only drink one big can of Fosters Lager during my 2023 Georgia – Florida experience.

So for future years at “Frat Beach” perhaps we will see someone dressed as Bjorn Borg as a Halloween costume and (responsibly and legally) drinking a Borg? We shall see….

Babolat Padel: Exploring the World of Padel Racket Innovation

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Beginners and pros alike trust the Babolat brand because of its innovative heritage, dedication to meeting player demands, and stellar reputation for quality. This explains their unparalleled dominance in the sports and fitness sector as well as their leadership in the creation of sports equipment. Although several firms manufacture padel rackets, Babolat padel rackets are distinguished by their cutting-edge technology, premium materials, customizable possibilities, professional endorsements, well-established brand, and continuous innovation. We will dive into the world of Babolat padel rackets in this article along with the reasons why it is a popular choice for any padel enthusiast.

The Special Features of Babolat Padel That You Should Be Aware of

Here are some compelling reasons for all padel aficionados, from novices to pros, to check out Babolat padel.

Innovative materials used in Babolat Padel gear

In the realm of padel equipment available from experts like Padel USA, Babolat padel rackets use cutting-edge materials in the construction of their padel rackets. High-grade resins, carbon fiber, graphene, and honeycomb core construction are a few of the materials used. Thanks to the mix of these cutting-edge materials, Babolat padel rackets are comfortable to use, lightweight, durable, and powerful. Additionally, every one of these materials helps to optimize the weight of the Babolat padel, generate power and control, create balance, improve comfort, and increase longevity. With these advantages, players may increase speed, which will lead to quicker shots and more spin.

The impact on professional play

Whether they are novices or experts, all padel players strive to play the game like professionals. The Babolat padel racket is notable for its capacity to develop a professional playing style for all of its users. They are renowned for improving players’ strength and control on the court in the first place. The utilization of cutting-edge materials and technology in the construction of Babolat padel equipment allows for this, providing players with increased force for forceful shots and accurate control for delicate strikes. Furthermore, they are recognized for promoting player comfort and lowering vibration. High-quality materials and the integrated honeycomb core technology assist this, lowering the possibility of shoulder and arm injuries and enabling reliable performance.

Unique customization options

Babolat padel offers unique customization and personalization options that are an ideal fit for your level of playing. Whether you are a power hitter, control player, aggressive player, defensive player, versatile all-rounder, tactical player, left-handed player, beginner, recreational player, competitive tournament player, or professional player, Babolat padel has something for you. Babolat padel racket models, string tension, grip size, balance point, racket weight, design, and aesthetic can all be customized, giving players a range of possibilities to suit their individual requirements and tastes. Each of these individually helps players perform at their best.

Conclusion 

We have explored the impact of high-quality equipment like Babolat padel on your next padel match. Regardless of your level of skill, a Babolat padel racket offers the best performance and a memorable experience with durability that will bring enjoyment for years to come.

How Did Tennis Become an Olympic Sport?

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There’s no question that despite the global popularity of football, tennis remains one of the top 5 sports. Whether it’s watching Grand Slams on TV or the summer Olympics, the white sport draws huge attention. In the past few decades, its status has been elevated thanks to iconic players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, as well as the fact that it’s one of the most watched sports during the Olympics.

Since they’re a rarer event than the Grand Slams which are held every year, tennis at the Olympics draws a lot of attention from bettors. You can bet on all kinds of markets that don’t just define the winner of the prestigious trophy, and that plays a big part in the sport’s popularity.

But, it wasn’t always like that. Tennis was banished from the Olympics for a long time during the 20th century and only got back on the schedule decades ago. We’ll explore why that happened and what the future of tennis as an Olympic sport is.

Brief History of Tennis

Tennis is an adaptation of an ancient sport. Have you ever heard that fact? The ancient sport was known as jeu de pamme, which was later codified as tennis in England around 1870. It didn’t take long for it to become popular. With each passing year, tennis grew bigger and bigger, and just over two decades later, it found itself on the Olympic tournament schedule.

Now played on different surfaces and with tens of millions of fans around the world, tennis’ beginnings were humble. A descendant of the jeu de pamme game which was invented in France in the XI century, tennis wasn’t always played with rackets. In fact, jeu de pamme was played with bare hands until the racket was invented in the XVI century. From that point on, it became a major part of the game. The tennis scoring system was introduced around the same time, and that led directly to the invention of tennis a few centuries later.

The word tennis comes from the French word tenez. In its most simple meaning, tenez means ”Here it comes!”, which is what players said to their opponents as they served. The first form of tennis appeared in the XVIII century in Britain, where lawn tennis emerged among the aristocracy. It was played at an amateur level at that point. Toward the end of the century, lawn tennis grew into a more professional and organized sport. It quickly overcame croquet as the most popular sport. After being codified in 1870, tennis’ popularity exploded, resulting in its first Olympic Games inclusion in 1896 in Athens.

Tennis at the Olympics

By the time tennis was introduced to the Olympics, players were already competing at Wimbledon every summer. The first Olympic tennis tournament was won by John Pius Boland of Britain. He won the singles and doubles tournaments that year. As for women’s tennis, they had to wait until 1900 in Paris to get their Olympic tournament.

The first female Olympic tennis winner was Charlotte Cooper. She was also one of the first players to throw up the ball in the air before serving, something which we’re accustomed to seeing today. Everyone else was serving underhand.

By 1913, the popularity of tennis grew around the world. International tennis associates decided to join forces and reinforce certain rules and structures. The same year, an international conference was held with 12 represented countries who formed the International Lawn Tennis Federation. Plans for new tournaments were discussed, the rackets changed too, and so did the equipment and some rules. Tennis was one of the biggest sports at the time and remained on the Olympic schedule until 1924. That year, the IOC and International Tennis Federation held unsuccessful talks which resulted in one of the most shocking decisions for tennis ever.

Expulsion from the Olympics

From this point of view, many sport historians would say that the expulsion of tennis from the summer Olympics schedule in 1924 was nonsense. It was officially removed from the programme in 1928, owning to the difference in opinion between the IOC and the ITF over how amateurs should be classified. The Tennis Federation stuck to its own claims, while the Olympic Committee wanted something different. It was the beginning of a dark Olympic era for the white sport, yet at the same time, it flourished in many other ways.

By 1930, there were several major developments for tennis. First and foremost, the idea of a Grand Slam was introduced. That meant winning the four majors. In 1968, tennis was no longer considered an amateur sport. This was the start of the Modern Era when the sport turned professional. In 1973, the ATP and WTA global rankings were introduced, and tennis made a case for the Olympics again.

Eventually, the ITF and IOC came to a conclusion. They shook hands and tennis was back at the Olympics in 1968 in Mexico City. At that point, it was only as a demonstration sport. It made another return in the same form in 1984 in Los Angeles where Steffi Graf shockingly won the tournament at only 15 years.

Tennis full return to the schedule was in 1988 at the Olympic Games in Seoul. Steffi Graf once again won the tournament, while also hitting the Golden Slam—all four Grand Slams in a single season—the same year. By far, she’s the only tennis player to achieve that feat – not even Novak Djokovic has been able to repeat it.

Over the years, tennis’ popularity at the Olympics grew further. It helps that all the major players always appear in the finals, aiming for glory in addition to the Slams. It’ll remain popular in the future too with the young guard of players slowly pushing out the iconic Big Three as they look to set records of their own.

1988 Olympic medalists in men’s singles

Dick Leach’s Rules For Doubles

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Dick Leach, one of the legendary tennis coaches in college tennis, passed away at age 83. As the head coach of the Trojans of the University of Southern California between 1980 and 2002, Leach, guided his team to four NCAA team championships (1991, 1993, 1994 and 2002). Leach tutored many top players in his time at USC, including his sons Rick and Jon Leach, as well as Robert Van’t Hof, Eric Amend, Matt Anger, Scott Melville, Luke Jensen, Tim Pawsat, Byron Black, Wayne Black, Andrew Park, Cecil Mamiit and Prakash Amritraj among others.

One of specialties of Leach was his prowess in teaching doubles play. During his coaching tenure, three teams won NCAA doubles titles (Rick Leach and Tim Pawsat, Rick Leach and Scott Melville, Byron Black and Eric Amend) and his oldest son Rick went on to become the No. 1 doubles player in the world, while winning doubles titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. and Australian Opens.

In the book “Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California (here https://a.co/d/7oZjC5U via @Amazon) author Mark Young published the “Dick Leach Rules For Doubles” which can be implemented by players of all levels. They are posted below as seen in the “Trojan Tennis” book.

Dick Leach’s Rules for Doubles

For the team returning serve:

  • If the service return is hit well and at the server’s feet, the person at the net should poach every time. Breaking serve is critical to winning a match and this is one way to steal a point.
  • If you are the receiver’s partner, go straight towards the net and then try and cut off the half volley. Most players just cut across the service line and this leaves the alley wide open allowing the server to get a cheap point by pushing the ball up the line. Remember, it’s hard to make a put away volley from your own service line. Also by going straightforward you will get a ball that is above the net rather than a low volley that you can’t put away.
  • Play the angles, but remember if you hit an angle you set up a bigger angle coming back at you and you could also be putting your partner in a vulnerable or difficult position.
  • For a right-handed player in the deuce court, if the serve is up the middle and jams your backhand, hit your return hard up the alley rather than try to hit an inside out backhand. A chip lob is also very effective when you get jammed on your backhand.
  • There is nothing wrong with setting up a point. Hit a heavy cross-court shot at the feet of the opponent and charge the net anticipating a high volley.
  • When in doubt, hit the second and third shots up the middle of the court forcing the other team to choose who takes the volley.
  • A cross-court lob in doubles can be very effective because of the alleys and increased size of the playing area.
  • Use a safe slice return at the server’s feet and then rush the net to put away a half volley from the opponent.
  • Communication is critical with your teammate. Use signals or verbal communication between points.
  • Err on the side of a high percentage of first serves. At the highest levels of tennis your opponent loves to have a second serve to crush.
  • As a doubles team, move laterally together. If one person is forced out wide the teammate must cover the middle.

For the team serving:

  • The player at the net has to keep moving. That person has to distract the player who is returning serve and have him think about what the net person is doing.
  • If you are the net player, give the alley away and play more to the middle of the service box. In other words if you take one step and use the length of the racket you can still get to any ball that is hit up the alley. This also makes it difficult for the receiver to hit cross- court without his shot being cut off.
  • The role of the net person is critical. If the team serving loses serve it is most likely the fault of the net player because he is not aggressive enough.
  • Volleying is highly underrated. It is not that difficult to be a good volleyer but most players neglect the importance of the volley and do not practice it enough.
  • Err on the side of serving up the middle. The wide serve creates too many angles for the player who is returning serve.

Former Georgia Bulldog “Dr. Z” Jan Zielinski Operating Well On ATP Tour In Doubles

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By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

There is a doctor in the house on the ATP Tour in doubles and he’s doing a lot of operating.

His name is Jan Zielinski and he earned the nickname “Dr. Z” while at the University of Georgia for the way he “operates” on the tennis court with the precision of a surgeon.

“I think it came from me just operating on the opponents, basically just performing surgeries,” said Zielinski of his nick-name which was coined by the Sawyer Duncan, the brother of his former Georgia Bulldog teammate Walker Duncan. “He came up with something like Dr. Z, by me just playing very well and performing a clean surgery on the opponents, and I think it came from that. And it stayed. It stayed with me. I like it. It’s fun.”

Zielinski has had much success in the operating room starting in 2023, which has been a breakthrough year for the native of Warsaw, Poland. He posted a runner-up finish at the Australian Open, his first major doubles final, while winning the prestigious Italian Championships in Rome, both with partner Hans Nys of Monaco. The duo has established themselves as one of the top 10 best doubles teams in the world.

“It’s a lot of ups and downs as well,” said Zielinski of his 2023 season at the U.S. Open, where he and Nys reached the quarterfinals. “I mean, besides the Australian Open and Rome Masters 1000, which we won, it was a lot of unfortunate results in the first rounds. There were a lot of super tiebreakers that we didn’t win.”

Besides winning tournament titles, consistency and avoiding first-round losses is the goal for Zielinski and Hys, he said. With their quarterfinal loss at the U.S. Open, the other main goal for the remainder of the 2023 season is to qualify for the year-end ATP Tour World Finals eight-team doubles field, where they are in contention.

Zielinski began his pro career after playing four seasons for the University of Georgia, highlighted by an NCAA doubles runner-up showing in 2017 alongside Robert Loeb of the United States.

“Jan showed right away in his freshman year that he had tremendous potential and a knack for doubles,” said Georgia men’s tennis coach Manny Diaz. “I am not the least bit surprised with his success on the pro tour and think he will be among the top 10 for many years to come.”

“It was amazing,” Zielinski said of this time as a Georgia Bulldog. “It was one of the best three and a half years of my life. They took great care of me. We’ve all been like one big family.”

Zielinski has many memories on and off the court during his time in Athens, Georgia as a student at UGA. He singled out the 2017 season – his sophomore year – where in addition to reaching the NCAA doubles final, he had memorable wins in dramatic NCAA team tournament wins for Georgia in front of thousands of home fans in Athens as the Bulldogs made a run to the team tournament semifinals.

“Definitely making a run at home (in Athens, Georgia in 2017) to the semis of NCAAs,” Zielinski said of his best memory of being a Georgia Bulldog tennis team member. “We beat USC in the round of 16, a crazy match… then we played a crazy match against UCLA in the quarterfinals where we had to stop because of the rain. And then we came back from 1-2 down. We ended up winning 4-2. I was in the beginning of the third set against Maxime Cressy, who playing really good right now, and I was the one that clinched that match. I remember that was a pretty crazy, crazy night. A lot of great memories, a lot of great pictures, videos, and then obviously making a doubles run with Robert Loeb to the doubles final, and being up a set and a break in the finals, coming very close to actually getting that title, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but it was still a great run.”

Zielinski gave a pro singles career a bit of a go, earning a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 769 in 2021, but it didn’t take long for him to realize that his destiny in pro tennis was certainly in doubles.

“Basically since day one, I would say, I knew I have something extra for doubles, and if singles doesn’t work out, I can always fully focus on doubles, and probably make it there,” he said. “My dad taught me how to play proper doubles, how to cover the net, and he taught me those instincts of doubles, basically the proper way to play.”

“The transition from college to pros wasn’t easy,” he continued. “I mean, you start from the very beginning, from the smallest tournaments, which is a grind where you don’t make any money, and you have to spend the money to actually even play. And you never know if it’s ever going to pay off, and if you’re ever going to actually be making money out of that sport. You can always believe, you can always work hard, but it’s never fully given to you. Especially coming from Poland, where we don’t have that many tournaments in the country where we can get the wildcards compared to France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech, you name it. They all have plenty of opportunities to play, plenty of tournaments that can get into wildcards to the main draws and then get the points without. And basically, by skipping the lower tournaments, we have to find our way from the very bottom. And yeah, I managed. Obviously, COVID hit when I was at my peak, winning a couple tournaments in a row, so it wasn’t the best timing for me. But yeah, I managed, came back, and here we are today.”

Zielinski’s rise up the rankings has come on the heels of the success of fellow Poles Iga Swiatek, who has reached the WTA Tour’s world No. 1 ranking, and Hubert “Huby” Hurkacz, who has reached the top 10 rankings and the semifinals of Wimbledon, defeating Roger Federer en route. Zielinski has played Davis Cup for Poland since 2021 and is in contention to play at the 2024 Olympic Games.

“It’s been great to see Polish crew, I would say, doing so well on such a big stage like this and other majors and other big tournaments,” Zielinski said. “Huby has been someone that I looked up to for the last couple of years, even though he is a younger player. He’s been my best friend since I don’t know how many years. When I was in college, or starting after college, he was the one that I was looking up to, and I was trying to make it here to be with him and to keep him company. He was pretty lonely here. He was the only one basically that I was playing at that level.”

Zielinski said he has a good relationship with Swiatek, the three-time French Open champion, but admits “We’re not like besties.” Said Zielinski, “We’re not texting every day, but yeah, it’s good. We always say hi, asking about the scores of each other’s matches, saying good luck and everything. Yeah, she’s a very nice girl. She’s a very nice person.”

While Zielinski hob-nobs with his fellow Poles in pro tennis around the world, he also has had bonding moments with fellow Georgia Bulldogs on tour. He follows the Georgia football team when he can and has watched the National Championship games in January of 2022 and 2023 while in Australia alongside fellow Georgia great John Isner on the invitation of Steve Baldas, a former All-American tennis player at Georgia in the 1990s who is a sports executive in Australia. Zielinski does admit that when he travels the world, his identification as a Georgia Bulldog is definitely recognized. Does he ever hear anyone yell “Go Dawgs” or bark at him at tournaments around the world?

“Yeah, it happens once in a while,” he said. “I would say once every month, two maybe, but it happens.”

Jan Zielinski

Lindsay Davenport Named New U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team Captain

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The USTA announced that Hall-of-Famer, Grand Slam champion and four-time year-end world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport will be the next captain of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team. A three-time Billie Jean King Cup champion, Davenport will become the team’s 20th captain following the 2023 Finals, which will be captained by Kathy Rinaldi.

“Playing Billie Jean King Cup was always something that was a huge priority and a huge highlight for me during my career. I always felt a tremendous amount of pride representing my country, and I’m excited to do it now in a different role,” Davenport said. “Joining a prestigious list of U.S. captains is an incredible honor, and with the group of players that we have now and their great personalities, I really couldn’t ask for a better time to have this position.”

Davenport was one of the most successful U.S. Billie Jean King Cup players in history, helping to lead the U.S. to titles in 1996, 1999 and 2000. She played in 20 ties over a record 11 years, going 26-3 in singles and 7-0 in doubles. Her 26 singles victories are tied with Billie Jean King for second all-time for the U.S., behind leader Chris Evert, and her 33 total wins rank fourth, behind Evert, King and Rosie Casals.

Davenport was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014 after a career that saw her win three Grand Slam singles and doubles titles, along with the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal in singles. She won 55 singles and 38 doubles titles in all, spent 98 weeks as the world No. 1 and was the year-end No. 1 in 1998, 2001 and 2004-05.

Since retiring in 2010, Davenport has worked as a commentator and as a coach, notably of American Madison Keys. As captain, Davenport will have a year-round role with USTA Player Development, traveling to support American players and serving as a mentor for American pros and juniors.

“Lindsay has been the embodiment of a champion throughout her career, and few players have had as much success playing for their country as she has,” said Brian Hainline, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “We’re excited to welcome her experience and leadership back to the Billie Jean King Cup team at a time when the present and future of American women’s tennis couldn’t be brighter.”

Current captain Kathy Rinaldi, who will continue on as USTA Player Development’s Head of Women’s Tennis after stepping down from the captaincy, will lead the U.S. in the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals November 7-12 in Seville, Spain. The Finals will feature 12 nations competing in four round-robin groups of three, with the group winners qualifying for the knockout semifinals. The U.S. was drawn into Group A with Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

“I look forward to watching and supporting the U.S. team in the Finals later this year,” Davenport said. “Kathy has been an amazing role model to not only the players now but also myself, and I look forward to continuing what she started the last seven years. She’s done a remarkable job and I look forward to the U.S. hopefully winning it this year so that when I’m captain, we’re defending champions.”

# # #

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok.

2 Aug 1996: Lindsay Davenport of the USA celebrates on the podium after being awarded the gold medal for winning the women’s singles tennis against Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain, center, at Stone Mountain Tennis Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia at the

Roger Federer Clothing From Final Major Win Up For Auction

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Prestige Memorabilia, the global leader in tennis memorabilia, announced a tennis memorabilia auction highlighted by an exclusive piece of tennis history: Roger Federer’s match-worn outfit from his groundbreaking 20th Grand Slam tournament winning run at the 2018 Australian Open. The victory was the last major title of his legendary career, and the outfit is expected to achieve up to $35,000. The auction is open for bidding starting 20 September and will close on 8 October.

The auction represents a rare opportunity for tennis enthusiasts and collectors worldwide to own an authenticated piece of sporting history from Federer’s incredible career. As the emotional Swiss maestro himself said after the historic match, “It’s a dream come true, and the fairytale continues.” The ensemble, a personalized creation from Nike, is as unique as the champion himself. Featuring custom labeling and two certificates of authenticity from the Roger Federer Foundation, the lot is assured of authenticity and link to the monumental tournament.

Federer’s superb performances in Melbourne, culminating in a thrilling final against Croatian player Marin Cilic, cemented his place among the legends of tennis. It was not Federer and Cilic’s first Grand Slam final encounter; they had faced each other in the 2017 Wimbledon final where Federer claimed victory over an injured Cilic. However, this time Cilic was in imperious form, and the match reached a fifth set. Federer would raise his level to take the decisive set, becoming the first man to win 20 Grand Slam titles. Federer would join a small, elite group of players such as Serena Williams and Steffi Graf who have achieved this milestone. The tournament would mark the final Grand Slam victory in Federer’s illustrious career, spanning all the way to his first at Wimbledon 2003.

The win for Federer over Cilic is documented, along with all the other great victories – and defeats – in the new book “On This Day In Roger Federer History” by Randy Walker for sale and download here: https://a.co/d/c1TgkRv

The highlighted lot contains the autographed, match worn shirt as well as the autographed, match worn shorts. The items by Nike were custom tailored to Federer, and contain “custom athlete” labeling. Other incredible items from Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Serena Williams will also be available in the auction.

The auction commences September 20th, 2023. Please find the auction online at thetennisauction.com.

Contact: info@thetennisauction.com