Citi Open Discount Tickets + Tips + Citi Swag Review

Welcome back - Professional Tennis to Washington DC!

This year brings back a host of powerhouse pros, including many top ATP men and WTA women players, under one tournament!

Special Events and Discount Days during the week:

• 7/27 - 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Day - Special Guests and Former Champions
• 7/28 - Family and Free Kids Day - free clinics and tickets for kids under 10 
• 7/29 - Military and Heroes Day - Up to 4 Free Tickets plus free clinic
• 7/30 - Taste of Tennis @ Hamilton Live

Citi Open Photo Gallery of Past Years

Citi Open - JC Tennis / Tennis Bargains Media Team

Sign up here for Citi Open promo codes

Top Citi Open Booths - stop by these for the best free swag

• KIND Bars - Their bars are yummy!! Raspberry and the Dark Coco are my favs
• Arlington YMCA Tennis & Squash (I won pair of Finals Tickets + Free Court time!)
• Citi Bank booths + suite (Free ear radio starting Tues + fast serve contest)
• Geico (an important Gecko Fan, to keep cool and shade!)
• USTA Mid-Atlantic (hats and freebies) 

Media HD Photos from last year and our team coverage continue all week with live updates!

Top tennis stars in Washington DC at 2015 Citi Open

Capital Tennis action comes back to DC for 1 week only

Written and Edited by Tennis-Bargains.com Staff (Nik and JC):

After a placid June, DC summer temperatures are steadily rising again for the 2015 Citi Open in the heart of DC. The US tennis hard court season gets ready to roll next weekend, beginning on Saturday Aug. 1 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Get your tickets at Citi Open with this 25% USTA promo code

Media: Highlight Videos | HD Photos

The 2015 ATP men’s draw has three former US Open winners: Andy Murray, Marin Cilic and Lleyton Hewitt.

Andy has been playing his past tennis since the start of the year, with excellent showings at all the grand slams (Finals of the Australian, Semis at the French, Semis at Wimbledon) plus a stellar clay court season.

US Open fans:
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A fresh and rejuvenated Murray is our pick to win this year. Marin Cilic has made a steady comeback from elbow and shoulder problems since his US Open triumph last year. After his Wimbledon QF loss to Djokovic, he believes he is peaking at the right time for the summer hard court season again.

Grigor Dimitrov (aka Baby Fed and Sharapova's bf), after a split with coach Roger Rasheed will be looking to make amends. While coach Rasheed was instrumental in getting Grigor’s fitness levels to tour-worthy levels, Dimitrov probably feels like he needs more match-specific strategy to make that elusive deep run for an ATP 1000 or Grand Slam title. Dimitrov is a treat to watch when he’s playing well; definitely a fan favorite at the Citi Open.

The Big Men

Ivo Karlovic is in the form of his 36-year-old life. Recently predicted via Twitter that he thinks he can play until 40 with the way he’s serving. Ivo’s also barely short of 400 aces from stealing the all-time ATP aces record off of his buddy Goran Ivanisevic. Ivo’s doppelganger is another super-tall server, John Isner, the top American seed in the draw and John’s always a title contender in any tournament he enters.

American Pride

Fellow Americans Jack Sock and Steve Johnson will also be at hand - Jack recently made waves when his forehand was measured to produce more RPMs i.e. rotation on his topspin than Rafa Nadal’s, Jack took a set of Nadal on route to a 3R loss French Open but only after topping Grigor Dimitrov in Round 2. He also won the US Clay court championships earlier this year. Lots of potential for Jack, if he's firing on all cylinders.

Next Wave of Young Tennis Prodigies

There’s also a strong contingent of up and comers in the draw - 19-year-old Thanassi Kokkinakis isn’t the main Australian player making headlines yet (20-year-old Nick Krygios gets that honor) and Bernard Tomic at 22 seems almost like the veteran of the lot.


Also up and coming is the young 18-year-old German 6’ 6” tall Alexander Zverev - he’s been under the gun for being too intense and some tour players including Fernando Verdasco recently questioned his on-court tennis etiquette and behavior but Alex says it all only to fire himself up.

Asian Stars on the rise

Kei Nishikori will make another appearance as the Top 5 Ranked Men's player in the world. Look for amazing backhands and flawless footwork from this guy. Hopefully, Coach Michael Chang will also be here to support his young pupil.

Hyeon Chung from South Korea is another young Asian prospect (#79 in the world) who’s been posting great results on the Challenger tour. At the Miami Open in March, I watched him take a set off Tomas Berdych. He's a very steady baseline player with some impressive shot selection maturity well beyond his years.

Strongest Women's Field in DC ever

The women’s draw this year features the strongest WTA draw we’ve seen in the city (pun). Led by Sam Stosur, Sloane Stephens, Belinda Bencic, and Svetlana Kuznetsova - there is a lot of powerhouse women players coming back to DC this year.

While all 3 of them are in somewhat a slump lately, hard courts are their best surface so they’ll be looking to kick into high gear. Sloane Stephens leads the American charge. While she hasn’t played her best tennis her in the past, she’s a fan favorite here in DC so look for her to have a strong run in the tournament.

Other American Women include Madison Brengle (with her success on the WTT Washington Kastles team), plus Coco Vandeweghe and Christina McHale returning to DC again.

Citi Open Photo Archives: 2014 | 2013

Citi Open in DC - a new fan's perspective

by: Jeamine Yoo (guest blogger and WTA consultant / DC tennis fan)

The Citi Opens

Shuttleloads of excited tennis fans were deposited outside William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center grounds Saturday morning, myself included. Today was the first day of the Citi Open and my first foray into viewing professional tennis and anticipation was high.

History of DC's Pro Tennis Tournament

The Citi Open is one of 12 ATP (Association of Tennis Players) World and WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour tournaments leading up to the US Open in New York. Players win points according to their results in each of the tournaments, with more points given to ATP World Masters 1000 and WTA Premier events. The Citi Open is a part of the ATP World Tour 500 series and on the third tier of the tournament, after the US Open and ATP World Masters 1000. It has gone through several changes since its inception in 1969 when it was called the Washington Star International - then more recently the Legg Mason Classic. The main update being men’s and women’s events merging to a joint tournament in 2012. 

Experiencing Summer Tennis at Rock Creek Park

The games today and tomorrow were and will be the qualifying rounds where 20 men compete for 6 spots in the main draw; and 16 women compete for 4 spots, including one woman that’s garnered my admiration, young up-and-comer, Taylor Townsend.

The qualifying games were quick—the best of three sets clinched the win. Men’s games were earlier in the day, followed by ladies’ matches, and the evening closed with doubles play.

The setup of the games was pleasantly accessible to viewers. The periphery courts—Grandstands 1 & 2, Courts 1 & 2, and the player practice courts—allowed spectators to come intimately close to the games and players, allowing tennis enthusiasts unrivaled views of the players’ choice of strokes and strategy.

As a recreational tennis player, I appreciated the close views and enjoyed the opportunity to wander from game to game in order to soak up the entire event holistically.

In addition to the accessible games, the community and family-oriented feel of the park was due in part to the distribution of 3,000 complimentary tickets, as well as the tennis clinics held for children and the multitude of colorful vendors handing out their wares and product information. The Citi Open is great at attracting varying levels of tennis fans by hosting special events throughout the tournament, whether it’s a Grand Marnier sponsored Happy Hour or a women’s tennis clinic, there are many activities to participate in between matches.

Friendly Venue for even casual sport fans

For all out there who haven’t attended or have been hesitant to go, try something new! Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased here. The matches are guaranteed to be exciting; pro players can be found strolling throughout the park and are friendly and engaging to fans.

A few tips for first-time visitors:

• Parking on the field ($10) is limited, so metro into Van Ness and take the shuttle—it’s seamless, convenient, and runs about every 15 minutes.
• Once inside, find the info booth and acquire a map of the venue
• Acquaint yourself with the day's Schedule of Play so you can plan your outing according to your player preferences.
• Do float around and soak it all in!
• Remember to bring and liberally apply sunscreen as most courts have no shade.

Stay tuned for highlights and predictions, but first, go buy your tickets!

Why you need to visit DC's Citi Open (Sept 26 - Aug 3)

Washington DC's Citi Open - 2014 US Open Series

by: Nik Subramanian (guest blogger and ATP consultant/expert)

It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the summer already and just 6 weeks away from the US Open in NYC. The good news is that the last week of July in Washington, D.C. means great professional tennis action at the Citi Open in Rock Creek Park.

The players’ list is packed with young and upcoming talent like Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov, Vasek Pospisil, Genie Bouchard, and others. So let’s dive right into the players you'll want to watch this year.

The Citi Open promises a lot of great matches with the top ATP players competing for the prize. If you haven't done so, grab your tickets, we'll see you there.

TIP: Use Promo Code: TENNISBARGAIN and get 25% OFF (valid for most sessions)

The Next Generation of Stars: 3 ATP Young Guns to Watch

The three guys who most agree represent the next generation of top 5 tennis players are all in the Citi Open this year. Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, and Grigor Dimitrov have each had breakthroughs in 2014.

Kei Nishikori (Japan)
Kei Nishikori reached a career high ranking of 9 at the end of last year. Despite some injury worries, I expect he'll finish the year in the top 10 if he stays healthy. Kei is speedy, has amazing groundstrokes, a great return, and is fun to watch. He's as no-nonsense on the court as they come and Coach Michael Chang has been trying to pass on his killer instinct and set higher goals for Kei this year. If he ends up playing on one of the side courts, be sure to watch Kei’s nimble footwork together with his amazing balance and core strength. It’s not as easy as he makes it look!

Milos Raonic (Canada)
Despite an ankle injury early in the year, Milos reached a career high ranking of number 6 in the world and is currently ranked 7. He's put up solid results in the Slams and Masters 1000's - his first Grand Slam QF at Roland Garros (l. to Djokovic), a first Grand Slam semi at Wimbledon, (l. to Federer), QFs in Indian Wells, Rome, and SFs in Monte Carlo. The consensus in the locker room is that Milos has the best serve on tour right now. While I doubt we'll see Milos attempt his 155mph serve, watch him with a seat behind the player's baseline to admire the variety of his serves (slice, kicker, flat) with pretty much the same ball toss. The weakest part of his game right now is his return, so look for that shot to improve as he works out the kinks with Coach Ivan Ljubicic.

Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria)
If you hear a bunch of screaming, hysteric teenage girls around the practice courts, you've probably stumbled onto one of Grigor Dimitrov's practice sessions. Grigor was already somewhat of a celebrity in 2013, but after teaming up with his super coach, Roger Rasheed, last year, Grigor is fitter, stronger, and extremely motivated to get to the top of men's tennis. Grigor's always had the talent to burn, but he's found a way to channel it and I expect he's going to have a great 2014. He's just broken into the top 10 this month, following an SF showing at Wimbledon (l. to Djokovic in 4 close sets), QFs at the Australian (l. to Nadal in 4 close sets) and has a won a title on all three surfaces in 2014. I'd be shocked if Grigor does not make it to the year-end finals this year and be part of or finish near the top 5. Watch Dimitrov from any seat in the stadium, look out for his precise first serve and his use of speed offensively to win points. You’ll find Grigor is an all-around crowd charmer and will throw in a trick shot and a tweener every now and then.

Early Predictions and Dark Horses

Citi Open: Round of 16 Wed/Thurs Preview

Wednesday Preview

Tuesday was a fun filled night, see clips of the action here. If you get to the tournament site in the early afternoon, head over straight to Court 1 where Radek Stepanek takes on Michael Llodra. These are two of a dying breed - serve and volleyers (what's that you ask?). Right next door on Court 2, take a peek at the doubles action with former UVA alum Treat Huey and the booming serve of 6 ft 5, Domnic Inglot.

Rain Delays
Wednesday was only a half day because of the rainouts - therefore the play is "stacked" for extra action on Thursday. Check out this article on how to deal with rain delays at tennis events, and how to get a good deal from it!

Thursday Double-Headers

Thursday promises to be another action packed day with top seeds Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, Tommy Haas and John Isner all taking the court. They may possibly have to play double-headers (back to back matches). Let's look at some of the best matches and courts to check out today.

First up is Juan Martin Del Potro taking on Ryan Harrison. This is JMDP's first match after his incredible Wimbledon semi so expect some early rust, while Harrison is confident after a straight set victory over former US Open champ Lleyton Hewitt yesterday. There should plenty of entertainment in this one.



Tommy Haas will be action on Center court taking on Tim Smyczek to finish their 3rd set. Smyczek is a crafty all court counter puncher but expect Haas to get through in straights despite coming back after a bit of a summer break. At the same time on the Grandstand, you can hop over to Melanie Oudin and Angelique Kerber.

At the same time if you want to get a first-come-first serve seating up front on Grandstand, you'll want to catch at least the first set of Jack Sock taking on Top 20 Japanese star Kei Nishikori. Sock's got impressive power and he'll have to stay consistent to outmatch Nishikori. Kei moves like the wind and uses his core strength to hit incredible ground strokes on the run. I'm going with Kei in 3 sets but this should be a fun encounter.

So dont wait folks, make sure you get your tickets here or head on over to Rock Creek Park and we'll see you there .

Mental Tennis: Watching 5+ hours of Live Pro Tennis

Citi Open Finals Flashback: Aug 2012

Alexandra Dolgopolov reacts in ATP 500 Final (Citi Open) after dropping a game

Even with the funny captions, it turns out that he wasn't actually looking at my photographer and me, thank goodness! Here's our reverse viewpoint to the TV cameras, at that same moment =)

Actually, it is hard to stay emotionally distant during huge points, when you're so physically close to the action in the photographer's pit. Sometimes I prefer to sit a little bit further and higher up so you get a better "coach's angle" of the plays.

Mental Tennis Matches: playing and spectating among Friends

As part of the press, you're asked to be impartial. Both Alex and Tommy are great guys so it would have been a hard ask to root against either. Both were in a tough struggle when they split sets after a long rain delay.

Equally hard is when you either have to play against someone you know, or watch your friends battle it out against each other.

My Advice: I try not to pick sides, remember my training, perform the very best I can that day, and always applaud great plays on both sides of the net.

DC's Citi Open Wrap-up and US Open Series update

Special Thanks:
1) To the media crew from Sage Communications / Steve Winters' team was very helpful to my staff this week. Even though it was the first year for the Citi Open group, all the facilities at the media center were run like clockwork and food was excellent. For new photographers and reporters, it was a welcoming experience to provide promotional coverage for Citi Open.

2) To the volunteers (purple shirts) who were very friendly and helpful for getting this event coordinated even with all the rain delay and late nights there.

3) For the athletes to come to DC and compete in this first ever ATP/WTA combined event in Washington. Their willingness to speak with us and offer the post-game interviews was invaluable.

4) Last but not least, to my crew Mikhail Bezruchko - senior photographer for his photography contributions and my lead ATP consultant/blog writer Nikhil Subramanian for his insights and match previews throughout the week.

Great experience for us at Citi Open 2012, and hope to see everyone out there again next year!

Looking ahead - 3 more weeks until NYC and the US Open 2012

US Open Series Bonus Challenge Standings (8/5/12)

Position	Player	Country	Total Points
1	Sam Querrey	USA	95
T-2	Alexandr Dolgopolov	UKR	70
	Andy Roddick	USA	70
T-4	Ricardas Berankis	LTU	45
	Tommy Haas	GER	45
	Gilles Muller	LUX	45
T-7	Xavier Malisse	BEL	30
	Michael Russell	USA	30
T-9	Mardy Fish	USA	25
	John Isner	USA	25
	Marinko Matosevic	AUS	25
	Rajeev Ram	USA	25
	Go Soeda	JPN	25

ATP Final: Alex Dolgopolov vs Tommy Haas

Post-Olympic tennis tonight on American Hard courts in DC -  US Open less than 4 weeks away!

A new contender vs the seasoned veteran.

Hot vs cold, Erratic vs calm, Young vs Old.

Tommy Haas - ATP Veteran
Photo by Mikhail Bezruchko.  COPYRIGHT Tennis-Bargains.com 

Tommy Haas

Tommy has already beaten Federer on grass in Germany just weeks ago. Although he did not get on the German Olympic team, this ATP 500 title would be a great sense of redemption and achievement.

He is playing his best tennis in recent history. Entering the "Agassi 2nd career" phase now at 34, Tommy looks very hungry for another title.

Well conditioned for the heat in his semi-finals match against Fish, last night he came back out to do a bit of scouting against his younger opponent. Let's see how mentally tough he will be against the flash and dazzle of Dolg.

Dolgopolov serving up 1st ATP 500 Final
Photo by Mikhail Bezruchko.  COPYRIGHT Tennis-Bargains.com

Alexandr "The Dog" Dolgopolov

At 24, he will be the young pup in this fight, but brings some amazing shot-making ability to the table. His serve can a double-edged sword. Either excellent and unreadable, or backfire and give him some trouble even when 40-0 up in his service game.

It will be Alex's first ever ATP 500 Final - but he has handled the pressure very well this week...up until today. Let's see if nerves hold or if this hot/humid DC afternoon will change anything with his game plan. Handling his emotions and playing aggressively on the return will again be keys to this match for him.

Interesting note: Apparently Alex uses the same Luxilon Ace 18 strings as me.

My prediction

Both are great competitors. I've seen Haas here for years and would be nice him to finally break through. He looks more hungry of the two. Dolg has the higher ranking and building more confidence with each win. If he brings his "A" game and step up to the next gear against Haas, it will be a great match!

It will either be Haas in 2 sets, or Dolgopolov in 3  - with at least one tie-break set. Should be a great ATP final in Washington, DC tonight.

From London back to DC - ATP Men's Final

Welcome back from London to our nation's capital DC at the Citi Open ATP 500 Men's Final.

Watch it on ESPN2 @ 4PM EST live!

Super Sat ATP 500 Semi-Finals: Fish vs Haas, Querry vs Dolgopolov

Mardy Fish vs Tommy Haas: "Old Guys" Semi-Final

This is the match-up of two 30+ tour veterans looking for a big ATP win in DC. Most of the week, I have been predicting this SF. Last Sunday the two played a practice match against each other, where it looked like Haas was the more determined aggressor and Fish is still a bit on eggshells to find his peak form.

Look for Fish's serve to lead the charge for the rest of his game.

Haas had a relatively easy win over Kamke on Friday afternoon and should be well rested for this scorcher in the afternoon.

My prediction is a close 3-sets with Haas a slight edge in conditioning to take the decider.

Tommy Haas - COPYRIGHT: JCTennis.com (c) Mikhail Bezruchko

Learn how to get ~$35 ATP 500 Semi-Finals and Final Tickets with these money-saving tips

Reminder: Sat, Aug 4 is Military Appreciation Day

• Free entry for all active duty and retired members, family for afternoon session.
• Plus our nation's heroes also get free 2-for-1 tickets, any day of the week.

Sam Querrey vs Alex Dolgopolov: "Young Guns" Semi-Final

The match-up of the 24 year old rising stars. Playing in the evening at 7pm should give a slight edge to Dolg, who has been getting the last match on stadium court several nights in a row now.

Sam's 1-2 tennis has earned him a 3-peat at the LA Farmer's Classic last weekend. He's the big serve and run-around forehand style that will match up very nicely against Alex's counter-punching and tactical explosiveness.

Against the Blake power, Alex was able to wear him down and run him to the net for the passing shots. If Alex is able to hold his serve against Sam (who would be a stronger/younger version of Blake's power), then he will make it through. If Querrey is able to dictate play from the baseline then it will be extremely hard even with Dolg's great defensive skills to stay in the match.

For this one, I will predict two tie-breakers with Alex prevailing on a couple key breaks of serve.

Alexandr Dolgopolov - COPYRIGHT: JCTennis.com (c) Mikhail Bezruchko

Military Appreciation Day hosted by Geico Saturday, August 4, Gates open at 11:00amThe Citi Open and Geico will be honoring and showing respect for all of the brave men and women that are serving in all the military branches. The day will feature many patriotic elements, including Color Guard, a coin toss by a Wounded Warrior, a flag unfurling, the National Anthem sung by Army SFC Antonio Guiliano and a clinic for military families on Saturday morning.

Military members and veterans who present their military ID at the box office will receive free admission (subject to availability) for Saturday afternoon's session courtesy of Geico. Additionally, all active duty and retired military members and families will receive a 2-for-1 discount (limit four [4] free tickets per person) on reserved tickets throughout the entire week of the tournament (redeemable at the box office).

Citi Open August 2, 2012 - Key Match-ups

Round of 16: Men's Preview and Predictions

Analyst and picks made by: ATP analyst Nikhil with results input by JC

Another great line-up scheduled for Thursday, August 2nd at the Citi Open. Plenty of good matches in store, so make sure you have your tickets in hand. I'm not much of a gambling man, but who can't throw a few darts at tennis picks? Here's a stab at the men's matches to watch.

Anderson v. Serra

Serra came through qualifying this week and caused a semi-upset when he ousted Brian Baker. Kevin Anderson was impressive in his Tuesday night win over Juergen Zopp. The 6' 7" South African has played college tennis at the University of Illinois, so the 4PM heat will be no surprise to him. Expect some close and hard fought baseline rallies, as Serra will try to his guile outmaneuver his biggest opponent. Anderson will have to serve well and throw in some forays to the net but this match will come down to Serra's ability to stay on serve.

Our Picks:

Nik - Anderson in two tough sets.
JC - Anderson in straights, if Serra doesn't come up with the goods on serve.
Let's see if Serra will serenade the audience again with his French explicatives by the 2nd set.

Querrey v. Becker

Sam was presumably a little jet-lagged from his Monday West Coast flight from L. A. as he battled Igor Andreev on Tuesday, well past midnight. Querrey stayed aggressive though to come through in the triple tie-break threat. Becker, has a big serve for 5' 10" and generally maximizes his court time and ability in every match. Watch this match to see Querrey absolutely hit the cover off the ball, consistently hit 130mph serves and see how the tie-breaks pan out.

Our Picks:

Nik - I fancy Querrey will take this one in two tie-break sets.
JC - Querrey will take this relatively easy with 6-3, 6-4 win.
Still on a hot winning streak on hard courts and I expect to see him add onto his US Open bonus points. I would say the warmer temps should favor the American.

Fish v. Berankis

Fish is battling a sore ankle and a recent heart issue(arrhythmia) so his confidence has been up and down, particularly his opening outing against Phau. I suspect Fish will be more zoned in for this match but Berankis is no pushover. Fish may not be able to just stay on the baseline in this one, he'll need to throw Berankis off balance by occasionally approaching the net.

Our Pick:
Nik - The first two sets will be close, but Fish gets through in three.
JC - Close one with at least one tie-break.
Fish said in his post-match conference that he's "100%" now, this is going to test that statement physically. Berankis won't go down easy.

Chardy v. Malisse

This is likely going to be the most interesting match of the day. In tennis, matches between closely matched opponents are usually a lot more interesting than a mismatch between the no. 10 player in the world versus number 100. In terms of rankings, the one pits 47 ranked Chardy (who fancies himself as a TV actor) against the X-Man, ranked 67. The match-up is as even as it gets. Malisse, always prone to a meltdown and some drama, wasn't too happy with the Grandstand court in his previous match against Mathieu - he complained (justifiably) about the windscreens, the crowds walking past behind him, wailing babies, speakers that were too close to the court, the lights and just about everything else.

The important thing is he still managed to win the match. Chardy, while less dramatic, can fade in and out as well. Look for the Frenchman to control the court with his big first serve and his inside out forehand. Chardy is an aggressive baseliner and he will have his task cut out. Malisse has a great backhand a workable forehand and generally can play an all court game.

Our Pick:

Nik - This one's a tight three setter, Chardy may just scrape through in a dramatic third.
JC - My heart says X-Man, but my head says Chardy.
I say the winner of the 1st set will take this one in 3.

What do you think, who's your pick? Feel free to add your own comments below!

Citi Open 2012 - ATP/WTA Picture Gallery

COPYRIGHT: JCTennis.com (c) Mikhail Bezruchko http://mikhailbezruchko.zenfolio.com

Letsmove Tennis: Agassi, Graf, and Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama
Along with a few cameos by Agassi and Steffi Graf, are promoting the "Let's Move!" program here in Washington DC. I recognized these indoor courts as I've played on them quite a few times this winter as well in Georgetown.

Also at the White House south lawn last summer...
During the Legg Mason tournament in DC, kids and pro players were invited to the White House to play some mini tennis.  For more info, check out the letsmove.gov initative to fight childhood obesity.

MS Charity Event: June 18, 2011

With support from USTA tennis and KB-Tennis.com, a charity tennis event and fundraiser has been announced. Proceeds will go toward to helping find a cure for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in the Washington DC area.

The National MS Society has offered a lot of volunteers and little tennis players to join the event. Over 200 kids and adults are expected for this large tennis event.

Needed: Large Tennis Venue/Facilities

We are still looking to formalize a location and want to get additional sponsors who would like to contribute to this cause.

If you have suggestions or ideas, please email us at info@tennis-8.com or post a comment below.

USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop

It's not often that the USTA comes to the DC area, much less Arlington County. So today I had a peek over at the conference.  They offered a lot of different programs and speakers, including an all-day Recreational Coaches Workshop at the Crystal City Sport and Health.

The conference goes on all-weekend, so I'll report back on any new developments and recap. Lots of great grass-root organizations including "Tennis in the Parks" with Arlington's own Eric Legg making an appearance.

My most notable meeting was with Joe Dinoffer, CEO of OnCourtOffCourt.com and was at the ballroom level to display his quick start tennis products and teaching aids for children.  He's been on many great tennis programs on the Tennis Channel and provides very innovative and clever tools to get kids into the game.

Also there was Patricia Egart, the author of a wonderful children's book to teach parents and kids about tennis. It is written from the perspective of a 12 year old boy, Andy Ace.  It also very well illustrated to guide young players gently into the basics of tennis. You can also find the book and its other reviews for "Let's Play Tennis" at Amazon.