Featured Post

Last call for the gotta play tennis podcast

Sunday, January 29, 2017

NEWS: Historic matchup at 2017 Australian Open Men's Singles Final

THE PAST
2008 Wimbledon Men's Singles Final

Roger Federer 
#1 in the world
age 26
vs. 
Rafael Nadal
#2 in the world
age 21

Duration: 4 hours, 48 minutes

Winner: 
Rafael Nadal
Score: 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7

Photo from 2008 Wimbledon

THE PRESENT
2017 Australian Open Men's Singles Final

Roger Federer 
#17 in the world
age 35
vs. 
Rafael Nadal
#9 in the world
age 30

Duration: 3 hours, 38 minutes 

Winner: 
Roger Federer
Score: 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3



Roger Federer

18 Grand Slam titles
(most of any other player)


Career Grand Slam (winning all 4 majors)
Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open, US Open

(one of only 8 men)

Only player to win 3 Grand Slams 5 times each

Monday, January 23, 2017

Gotta Play Tennis highlighted in the Spring 2017 issue of NetPlay Magazine

NetPLAY magazine is the official magazine of the
USTA (United States Tennis Association)
Middle States
Allegheny Mountain District | Central Pennsylvania District
Delaware District
 | Eastern Pennsylvania District
Philadelphia Area Tennis District | New Jersey District


Friday, January 13, 2017

Rally Stars Junior Team Tennis coming to Deptford Township for kids 10 and under


BASICS OF PROGRAM
(GPTKids modified version of Rally Stars Junior Team Tennis)

  • Open to players in the South Jersey area ages 5-10
  • 6 weeks of guided practice and play (Saturdays)
    • 30-minute practice and 60-minutes match play once a week
    • Goal: each player compete in minimum of two 7-point matches per week (singles or doubles)
      • teams rotate to compete against other teams
  • Short, easy-score game/match format (playing to 7 points)
  • Low compression, slower bouncing balls and modified (smaller) court space
    • Age bracket will determine modification of play
    • Play may make use of Red Felt or Foam balls and/or playground balls (age 5-6)
  • Play tennis as a team sport just like other youth sports
    • Everyone plays and everyone has fun
    • Team T-shirts included in registration (each team has their color)
    • Players gain a point for their color-coded team every time they win a match
    • Team with the most games after 6 weeks are the overall WINNERS
    • There are no LOSERS since everyone grows as a player from the experience
  • Registration in Rally Stars Team Tennis strongly recommends participation in another tennis program such as GPTKids QuickStart Tennis or comparable program
  • Registration is online ONLY through USTA Tennis Link
  • USTA Membership is NOT required to participate
  • Membership to USTA is FREE for first-time members ages 10 and under
    • USTA Membership ID must be set-up during registration
  • Parent Team Managers trained at SESSION 1 (45 minutes early) and then utilized to assist students with match play (scoring, ball pick-up, etc.)
    • Adults must assist on-court in some capacity
  • Awards for winning team at end of program (award to be determined)

F.A.Q. 
(current plans reflected in list; adjustments may be made
as deemed necessary by coordinators at any time)
  • What is Rally Stars Junior Team Tennis?
    • A competitive format of tennis play combining the aspects of team camaraderie, individual successes, learning the basics of competition, and just plain fun!
  • Who can participate?
    • Any child ages 5-10 within local travel distance to Fasola Park, Deptford, NJ
  • How long is the program?
    • 6 weeks; 1-½ hours per week (includes practice & instruction time along with competition)
  • What is the cost?
    • Currently, combined cost of program is $81.05 (which includes the USTA Tennis Link fee).
  • Is there any prerequisite for playing Rally Stars JTT?
    • No, but we strongly recommend previous play in either one of our Gotta Play Tennis Kids QuickStart Tennis programs or something similar. Players will enjoy themselves more with a minimum of rallying skills present.
    • What level of play are we to expect?
    • This is intended to be a beginners level competition. This is NOT for seasoned club players who regularly participate in USTA competition
  • What do we need to supply?
    • Nothing beyond some refreshment (water bottle or sports drink). We supply all other equipment. You may use your own racquet provided it is appropriately sized for your ages and height.
  • Do players receive team jerseys?
    • Yes, team colors will be assigned and T-shirts of their team color provided to each player
  • What is the playing format?
    • We are using 36’ QuickStart courts (18’ wide x 36’ long). Six smaller courts are created from three full-size courts with nets/tapes.
    • Matches last 7 points (or 10 minutes max.)
    • Singles
      • One point is gained for at team after each match win; ½ point gained by non-winner for participation
    • Doubles
      • One point is gained by each player of a doubles team after each match win; 1 point gained by non-winning team for participation
  • How many matches will be played?
    • Goal is play as many as possible, but time constraints will limit us to a maximum of 60 minutes (10 minutes each match max. = 6 matches each 10 minutes)
    • Total matches played are likely to be about 25-30 matches in 60 minutes
    • Each player should play at least 2-3 matches each week.
  • What role to parents/guardians play?
    • Adults play a vital role and allow us to run such a program. This is not a spectator activity for parents/guardians. All will be asked to participate as Managers.
  • What is the role of the Manager? (with enough adult participation, no one person need take on all of these duties-Many hands make light work!)
    • Assign players to their courts for match play (with Coordinators assistance)
    • Keep time (with provided stopwatch)
    • Keep players on task & track score (with provided visual scorekeeping clips)
    • Toss balls into play as a serve (typically kids ages 5-7)
    • Pick up balls on court to keep players from tripping over loose balls
    • Record scores on provided sheet on clipboard
  • How can Players/Managers know the outcome of the matches?
    • Coordinators will be collecting scores from individual Managers
    • All players have access to online scores on Tennis Link
    • Scoreboard will be set up to track matches each week

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Gift Certificates for tennis lessons ON SALE at 2016 prices until January 31st

Looking for a special gift? 
Need something different and unique?
Want your gift to stand-out from the rest? 

Pre-paid Tennis Lessons for 2017

Why not give The Gift of TENNIS to a friend, family member or another loved-one.

Purchase tennis lesson GIFT CERTIFICATES in denominations
 of 3 or more lessons (price discount applies when purchased in 3-lesson bundle).

Here is another idea...
Why not bundle some lesson certificates with a new tennis racket and some tennis balls?
Contact me for information and advice on tennis equipment purchases.

& A

Q. How do I purchase them?
A. Send me an email and make your request. Special discounts apply in 3-lesson bundles.
Email: gottaplaytennis.ron@gmail.com

Q. How do I pay for them?
A. Check or money order made out to: Ron Miller, and mailed to address provided in my email reply to you.
Q. Can anyone purchase them? 
A. You must be in the local area of South Jersey since lessons are held at Gloucester Twp. or Deptford Twp. tennis court facilities (unless you are willing to travel).
Q. How are lessons scheduled? 
A. I make use of Google calendar to schedule lessons. A read-only calendar link will be sent to your email showing tentative dates scheduled (all dates are subject to change; weather permitting)
Lessons will be scheduled for evenings and/or weekends

Q. Can lesson begin and end at any time during the year?
A. Lessons will begin after April 1st (weather permitting) and must be completed by June 30th.
Q. Is there a limit to how many lessons can be purchased? 
A. There is a limit of 6 lessons (or two 3-lesson bundles)

Q. How can I find out more information about you or the lessons?
A. Visit my website at: www.gottaplaytennis.net and/or send me an email and I will be happy to discuss lessons with you.

Health Benefits of Tennis
Visit the USTA website: https://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/SportScience/114688_Health_Benefits_of_Tennis_Why_Play_Tennis/

Tennis INDOORS
Limited court times available INDOORS at a tennis facility located in Williamstown, NJ during winter months of January thru March or July & August
(simply add $30/hour to instructional fees)
Dates and times TO BE DETERMINED by court availability

Sunday, January 1, 2017