Tournaments are Vital for Tennis
In the Junior tennis world, tournaments are the dominant form of competition. That has created a culture where players are expected to pursue ever-improving performanceRead More
4 responsesCulture Clash
One of the most vexing problems for the USTA is a “bathtub” of participation of players in their 20s and 30s. The stark reality isRead More
3 responsesNTRP Nationals Entry Checklist for Prospective Players at the 2024 Event
This is a comprehensive summary of my advice to prospective players for the 2024 NTRP National Championships as the registration deadline approaches. This capstone summarizesRead More
Mixing it Up at the 2024 NTRP National Championships
Starting in 2024, the USTA is offering 18+ Mixed doubles at the NTRP National Championships. The initiative actually started last year as Sections conducted theRead More
2 responsesThe Devil is in the Doubles
I genuinely thought last weekend’s posts breaking down new rules for player selection at the forthcoming 2024 NTRP National Championships would put the topic toRead More
NTRP National Championships and the Tyranny of the Calendar
End-of-season championships are a fun and exciting culmination of a competitive season. In tennis, both the ATP and WTA professional tours conduct an end-of-year ChampionshipRead More
Understanding Automatic Qualification for the NTRP National Championships
Based on the number of questions I have been receiving on the topic, Automatic Qualification (AQ) may be one of the least understood aspects ofRead More
4 responsesRolling the Dice on NTRP Nationals
Last August, the USTA rolled out new qualification standards for the NTRP National Championship tournaments. The updates are effective for this year’s events in 2023.Read More
Trust the Process
“Trust the process” is a phrase commonly used in sports, particularly in the context of development and improvement. It encapsulates the philosophy that athletes andRead More
Strength Through Adversity
It’s most likely an urban legend, but some people claim that the trees that grow in the closed ecological environment of Biosphere 2 topple overRead More