Latest Posts

USTA 35 by ’35: Are We Measuring the Right Things? THE RACQUET STRINGER: A Prodigy’s Tale The Code, Principle 15: Even an Obvious Out Ball Needs a Call Kneeling Medicine Ball Wall Slams for Tennis Tennis Beyond the Headlines: September 14, 2026 2027 Fort Worth USTA League Regulations: What Changed? New Year, New Rules: What Changed in Dallas USTA League Tennis for 2027

Tennis and Digital Media

On By Teresa Merklin

From time to time I embark on a fruitless quest to find dynamic tennis content targeted at the tennis playing population. That particular effort pre-dates the creation of this blog. Indeed sometimes I characterize this site as the content that I would read if I could get someone else to write it. The simple fact of the matter is that there really aren’t any great tennis blogs targeted at recreational players. It is a hot take that I float out as a desperate plea: Please prove me wrong.

World Tennis Number: Second Serve

On By Teresa Merklin

The World Tennis Number (WTN) is a new ITF global rating system for all tennis players, regardless of age, gender or ability. The USTA recently announced the adoption of WTN and has been conducting informational webinars on the forthcoming system. A couple of weeks ago, I attended one of those sessions and gathered some additional information about WTN from both the presentation and the question and answer session that ensued.

How NTRP Tournament Fragmentation Hurts 18+ Players

On By Teresa Merklin

The USTA decision to divide NTRP tournament play into three separate age divisions has a pretty significant side effect. I originally planned to write about the theoretical possibilities today, but the Trophy Husband alerted me a real example in an upcoming Level 5 tournament in San Angelo, Texas. Not to bury the lead, but this is proof positive that I do occasionally listen when he drones on about his own tennis life.

2 responses

How Fragmentation Hurts Tournaments

On By Teresa Merklin

Last Friday I wrote an essay highlighting how early entries into tournaments encourage other players to also participate. That post ended with a call to action for the tournament community to enter tournaments early and often. As it turns out, it is unlikely that I will be entering any NTRP tournaments early this year. The reason is fragmentation.

First Serve: Arthur Ashe: A Life

On By Teresa Merklin

The Arthur Ashe biography by Raymond Arsenault was slated for review this week. In fact, I started reading it just over two weeks ago after realizing that it is a lot longer than the books I typically review on this site. For a variety of external factors, I have yet to progress past the midpoint of the book. However, I have already had one significant “Aha” moment to share.