USTA News

 

 

 

I just wanted to take a moment and pay a compliment to the Chamisal ladies 4.0 team. We played our match today and these ladies are the epitome of what USTA should be. They were all terrific players, showed excellent sportsmanship, friendly and made all of us feel welcome. I look forward to playing them again at our club and hope we can return the hospitality that they shared with my team today. Kudos to the 4.0 ladies at Chamisal and their club. Lesa Jacobs, Captain of Gilroy

 

 

 

I would like to take a moment to tell you about a lady I played. Susan Andrews is probably one of the nicest, most honest players I've ever played in my lifetime. Twice she said to me, "Vicki, that shot was out" when I'd called it good. How wonderful is that when an opponent won't take the point! Before we'd started our match, I told her that if she clearly saw a shot in that I'd called out, please tell me and I would reverse the call.  I guess many times I'll call a shot good if there's even the tiniest doubt in my mind. I'm a rule stickler when it comes to matches, so guess I err more often to the favor of my opponent and Susan saw this. This is one great competitor and I am grateful to have had the pleasure of playing her. This lady is an example of good sportsmanship and just plain goodness.  I hope to play more ladies like her in the future. Thank you for all you do. For the love of the game, Vicki

 

 

 

I want to call out an exceptional bit of sportsmanship on the part of Joe Belano, whose GLTF team we played, today.During my deciding match with his #1 doubles team, I returned a serve in play that my partner initially called out that I called in. I was under the impression that we should have played a let, but the server insisted that it was his point. I stated that I wasn't sure what the rule was, and said I'd look it up later and notify necessary parties if his declarations were incorrect, and gave them the point. After the match, Joe approached me and specifically said he and his team on the sidelines looked up the rule and he wanted to apologize to me for his player's incorrect declaration, and stated he'd talk to his player about it. He also said he'd talk to his team about what he felt was some inappropriate sideline behavior, which I hadn't even noticed. I said I'd do the same with my guys, even though I think both sides were well within the bounds of what I've seen in my past USTA experiences. In my opinion, Joe really didn't have to address either issue, and I was struck and impressed that he went out of his way to do so. Obviously I'm new at this, but Joe really set a positive example for me, and wanted to share. Frank Salonga

 

 

 

Bay Trees are by far and away are the best hosts at their home matches. We won a hard fought match, but there was no bad feelings and we were treated to an awesome spread of several types of noodles, salads, BBQ chicken, sausages, and oysters with great drinks to wash it all down. I don't know if USTA has any awards for hosting, but if you do please give one to Bay Trees. In our league they deserve it. We will try to match their hospitality next season, but for now they are #1. Paul Mariuzza, Refugio Valley Captain

 

 

 

High 5 to the Bay Trees Park SLTC Slammers! My team thought we were playing our match with the SLTC Slammers at their courts. When we got there, we realized our mistake and rushed back. We had some other team members at our courts so they communicated with the captain. We made it back within the 15 minute window. The SLTC Slammers could not have been nicer about the mix-up. It certainly shows you what good sportsmanship is all about. Thanks again to the SLTC Slammers. Cynthia Frenz, Co-captain of Oakland Hills Combo

 

 

 

Lani Steers does a great job of recruiting fun, competitive and supportive teams. She nurtures all the members of her team with everything they need. During matches she makes sure that there’s enough drinks, electrolytes, neck coolers, socks etc…. and an available tennis pro to warm up the team. You name it, she got it. Anyone is lucky to have her as a captain.

She has captained so many USTA women’s league teams: 2.5, 4.0, 8.5 combo, 5.0 and an open team.

She’s so passionate about tennis and she makes sure that she helps anybody who wants to learn and supports any organization that promotes tennis in the nearby communities be it local tournaments or the USTA pro-circuit tournaments. She’s such a good motivator and supporter of this awesome sport. Maria Brooks

 

 

 

Our team, University Club of Palo Alto, played Mango Park 3.5 women two times this week. I have to let you know that their captain, Andrew Naito is the fairest, most cordial, kindest captain I have ever come across and I'm 61!

I have line-called with him and he deferred to me because I had the better angle. He's fair both ways - even called a ball out against his wife!, and she was fine with it. It looks like his whole team respects him - we certainly do.

And they beat us in both matches! Esther Dunto

 

 

 

I was one of the lucky players who got to play in the Grandprix this year. My first round was against Rajeev Kelkar and Sooka Oh. My partner was Tony Lam. I want to tell you what a gracious player Rajeev is. In the third set, Tony served a ball to Rajeev. The score was 40-15. We played the ball until Tony and I won the point for the game and match. Tony sat down. I was following him to sit down; when the umpire told us that we had to replay the point. I asked why? He said because Sookok called the serve out. I said, the point is over. The umpire said, she called it long, and I should have stopped play, but I did not and the point needed to be replayed. Rajeev went to talk to the umpire and told him that it was our point because we had already won the point. The Umpire did not agree with him, so we replayed that point. Tony served to Rajeev again and Rajeev did not make any motion to return the serve. I told Rajeev that he did not have to do that. That is was not his fault for us replaying that point. After the match, Rajeev told his partner's husband how well Sookok played and thanked him for allowing her to play with him.  Even though Tony and I won, the real winner was Rajeev!! It is players like Rajeev that keep me playing tennis and enjoying it. Thank you for your attention. Jane Gee

 

 

 

We had a dreadful mix up tonight with the courts at Sunnyvale where the tennis center had the match booked for 6pm but my schedule said the match was at 8pm and thus when my team and the opponents turned up to play there were no courts for us to use!  I just wanted to let you know how nice and wonderful the Palo Alto team was about it when it could have been an awful situation. Some of their players had traveled quite a distance to play and so we ended up finding courts elsewhere. Two of the teams played at Fairbrae as one of my team is also a member there and one team played at Fremont High School courts. If there is an award for nicest, gracious and accommodating team Palo Alto/Rinconada deserves it.  I want all their players to know that we really appreciated their cooperation in resolving the situation in a pleasant and civil way. Thanks, Alison

 

 

 

In the 7/14 playoff match Gordon Studer of Davie Stadium was playing Jeff Krasky of Harbor Bay at #1S. Jeff Krasky twisted his ankle in the 1st set and was in pain. After winning the 1st set, Gordon not only allowed Jeff extra time, but brought forth tape and personally wrapped Jeff's ankle so he had a chance to continue the match. Of course, Gordon did not give Jeff any mercy in the 2nd set, running him whenever he could. Gordon's actions is the kind of great sportsmanship we want to see of not kicking players when they are down, and making the extra non-selfish effort towards good tennis. Jim Seid

 

 

 

In a playoff match against Harbor Bay Women's 3.5A team, the #1 singles match hung in the balance of determining who would go to the next level of playoffs. My player who was ahead in the match started developing first foot cramps, then leg, hands and arms. Each time she had to stop, drink Gatorade and try to work them out. Sometimes the interruption took 5 minutes. Most players would have demanded a retirement, but not Caren Doyle. She was the most gracious player even going beyond what would have been acceptable to her captains and team by offering to schedule the completion of the match at another mutually convenient time. Ultimately, my player had to sadly retire but Caren's patience and encouragement in the face of a competitive match truly embodied good sportsmanship. It restored my faith in competitors' ability to be kind, rarely seen in the USTA circuit. Thank you Caren Doyle from Harbor Bay. Mara McGrath, Captain of Oakland Hills

 

 

 

Bill Bekker has captained teams at Carmel Valley Athletic Club over many years. This year he co-captained our team to win the Super Senior league and is currently organizing us for the sectionals. He also organizes a Tuesday round robin for us with up to 16 guys playing -- all of whom he calls weekly to get them on the court. The amazing thing about Bill is that he had to stop playing tennis over a year ago because of a hip replacement that hasn't healed properly, but he continues as our captain and organizer. He gives a lot of his personal time and has been known to spend his own money registering people, transporting us to matches, and paying for drinks and food following matches. We all appreciate his efforts and love his amiable and supportive style! CVAC Super Senior Team and Tuesday Round Robin Group

 

 

 

Jeff VanGronigen has been our team captain for the Auburn 3.5 Men's B Team for the past three years. Although we haven't won many matches, Jeff has unselfishly donated time and money to coordinating our matches during league play. We who have had the privilege of playing on his team have a high regard for his unselfish attitude. He deserves to be recognized as one of the best captains, and certainly one of the best tennis players to play with. Kudos, Jeff. I am certain that my small recognition is shared by everyone on the team. Thanks again for everything you have done to make the tennis season enjoyable. Steve Grundmeier, Auburn CA