Sport.  Nothing is more American.  Nothing is more loved or more celebrated the world over.  It is that pure essence that represents human hard work, competition, and skill and does its best to be played without politics or prejudice.  It is healthy both physically and mentally.  It is fun.  It builds us and challenges us to be better.  It is beloved and appreciated whether you are a competitor or a fan.

And it is good for us - and especially so - for our youth. 

Tennis imparticular is a very unique sport that too often is not appreciated for either its level of skill or its absolute rigor.  Famed sports psychologist and founder of mental toughness training, Dr. James Loehr, says it is singularly one of the toughest sports ever in terms of competition.  “You are all alone.  It’s just you and your opponent.  There are no coaches or teammates to help or encourage you.  There are no time outs.  There are no time limits.  The way that the game is scored means you are never out until the final point is played.  Points can endure for minutes. Matches can last for hours. You play regardless of heat or cold or wind.  There is no other sport that presents these unique and incredibly difficult parameters in which to compete.”

Yet, as we all know, either by way of personal experience as a player, or coach, or parent, or even an aficionado of play, tennis is one of the most powerful character builders in all of sport.  It teaches you how to train and prepare.  It teaches you how to compete and how to gain from the experience in both winning and losing.  It teaches you sportsmanship and trying your best, win or lose.  It teaches you dedication and fight and humility that builds character and life skills both on court and in life beyond the court.

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I believe that being involved in the game of tennis is the single most important opportunity I was given in my life.  And to have been able to pass this on to others – especially young people – is the greatest gift imaginable. 

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​My students – now my life long friends – have achieved and succeeded on court and throughout their lives because they learned to work hard for what they wanted and to win. 

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