50 years of Citi Open Tennis & Best memories

Capital Tennis in Washington DC (1968 - 2019)

Update:
Citi Open 500 rejoins the Emirates US Open Series this year under new management!

The Mark Eins team organization will be taking over this year. Did you know Mark was actually a ball boy here at this tournament once upon a time?

An amazing upgrade this year at the event. The food court indoor plaza (with AC!) was incredible along with all the polished details to keep this historic event growing in DC for another 50 years.

July 27 - Aug 4, 2019.

DC capital tennis always represents great Men and Women professionals during the hard court season.
For fans in the mid-Atlantic area, this tournament can't be beaten.

50 years of Open Era Tennis.

The author of this article, Nik, is one of the biggest tennis fans and a legend of DC/VA Tennis. He was the one that first introduced me to it when it was called the "Legg Mason Classic" over a decade ago and shared amazing tips (best viewing seats and where to park) plus some of the most unexpected stories of the game and its players.

Photos from Citi Open
Over the years 2006-2019

Citi Open - JC Tennis & Tennis Bargains Media Team

Written by Nik Subramanian

The 2018 Citi Open Tennis tournament in Washington DC starts on July 28. This will be the 50th edition, and the Players Lounge kicks off the event with food, drinks, and music on Fri July 27 at 7.30pm

The latest finish JC and I witnessed was a 2:45AM finish with Dmitry Tursunov in ‘06
after which he gladly obliged fans (including us) with a chit chat and pictures. 

2018 Citi Open - Preview Highlights

Top ATP players at this year’s event include former number one Andy Murray, 3-time slam winner Stan Wawrinka, US Open, Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson and Wimbledon semi-finalist John Isner. Top WTA players including world number two Caroline Wozniacki and Sloane Stephenson (ranked # 3) will headline the women's draw.

Look out for next-generation stars like Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, Hyeon Chung, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Naomi Osaka, and local lad Frances Tiafoe.

Shapovalov, Chung, Tsitsipas, and Rublev have a “future top 10” ranking written all over them. While one should expect Kyrgios might disappoint, depending on which way the wind is blowing when he’s scheduled to play, he has an entertaining and explosive game, and if he’s drawn to face someone that he perceives as a challenge, it will be an entertaining match.

Looking Back 15 Years at Rock Creek Tennis in DC

Nik and Safin, 2006 Edition, Photo by JC
Cropped photo now lives on the official Marat Safin Wikipedia page

Brad Gilbert coached Andy Murray in 2006 at Legg Mason, photo by JC
Featured on Brad Gilbert's Wikipedia Page

I’ve attended the Citi Open every year since 2004, for the last 15 years. The first year was devoid of “stars” due to the conflicting Athens Olympics but was memorable nevertheless, as watching any tennis pro in the top 500 is a great learning experience. Still that year, we had Mark Philippoussis, Jonas Bjorkman, Alex Corretja, and a bunch of players only seen on television up until that point.

One of the highlights of the 2005 tournament for me was seeing an idol, Andre Agassi, up-close. The intensity of Andre’s practice session combined with the pace and accuracy of his groundstrokes was awe-inspiring.

Watching Agassi practice with Andy Murray in 2006 was another great highlight. Murray’s ability to absorb and redirect all the pace from Andre’s groundstrokes was a precursor of Murray’s success to come.

Brothers in arms of Tennis - supporting cast members

Those who have endured in this sport of Tennis...training past pain, fighting through adversity (born of both Man and Nature), and arrived to find glorious victory at the end; They are the ones that know me deeply, truly for who I am.

Q: Who has felt the scorching heat of the Sun on their skin? Experienced the thirst for water at his very core? Gasped for oxygen in every breath, and hungered for victory deep down in their heart and soul? 

A: My fellow Warriors in Tennis.

When we understand Tennis, we also learn the man on the other side of the net

My fellow tennis players are cut from similar cloth. Recreational Player, USTA league teammate or rival competitors - do they not sweat, bleed and struggle the same in competition? Both in victory and defeat. They pay the same tolls of training and feel the same glories of victory. Like Gladiators in the modern arena...who have traded swords for rackets...unified by our quest on the green rectangle.

The Championships: so elusive, yet globally coveted by all who have entered the game.

So many seek the Gold, yet out of 128 players in a draw, 127 out of 128 may end up going home disappointed. All but one may raise the prize. Even for the Finalist, it can be misframed. Seemingly like that old 1996 Nike Olympic Ad "you don't win Silver, you lose Gold".

A very zero-sum perspective and is exactly the wrong way to struggle if you want to survive. Because as the sweepstakes say: Many will enter, One will win. Immediate gratification doesn't work here.


Always Re-Defining:  Self, Success and "Summits"
Instead, we should seek Excellence. The improvement towards mini-goals over a very long stretch of time. Always climbing, always reaching, always advancing. Never stop, never retire, never stop re-inventing your game. You are defeated when you give in. No one but within yourself can you be made to feel a failure.

Photographers and Press: The Recorders of Time

Even without my direct credits or company copyrights directly listed on so many Tennis Wikipedia entries, I am most proud of my work that has not paid 1 cent in royalties.

Engraving into Tennis History
In just the Legg Mason 2006 tournament alone, I have created the image of many tennis stars bio page. Examples: Brad Gilbert (Wiki Picture), Tim Henman (Cropped Wiki Pic), Marat Safin (Wiki Pic).
Each of these "Web Encyclopedia" bio pages has thousands of viewers every day - some with millions of views over their lifetime!

It is a great honor to their "portrait painter". History and future tennis generations will look back and the image I have created will be there perhaps forever. That is a very rare and powerful privilege to be part of the history books.

Sharing the world of Tennis to our Fans Globally
To share a few snippets of highlights to those many miles or countries away. To enlighten and educate the casual observer, and bring context to an otherwise unknown player or match.

For a sport rarely in the American Top 5 for viewership, it can be a tough job. We do it because we truly love it and the Tennis Circle.

Cramped together in a small room, tape recorders and notepads in hand. Trying to find the special sound bite or quote that will be good enough. To be published or to be rejected are so fickle as to the audience's whim of the day.

Hard work, Lucky Payoffs - "Perfect Shots" are Part Luck and Part Skill

Overcoming your Tennis Everest - a message for the aspiring tennis player

I left this comment for PJ (roadto45tennis.com) and World Tennis Congress organizer today in response to his post about recent setbacks.

Background: I came in contact with PJ way back in 2012 leading up to the first Tennis Congress. He was very nice and we had a nice long chat about NY’s Total Tennis vs other tennis academies. I stumbled upon this blog again the other day and so surprised to see his note about recent health issues and struggling with getting to NTRP 4.5. I hope this message finds you and your readers well, PJ!

My USPTA Tennis Coach Biography

I started out as a 3.0 USTA player.

Over a decade ago and picked up tennis late as a teenager. Climbing the next rung on the later was also my tennis life’s goal. My road too was paved with many hurdles, setbacks, multiple tennis injuries and heartbreak losses at USTA championships.

But right here I want to stop and say -
If a (small 5’5 Asian) guy with big dreams in his mid-30s can play the best tennis of his life – every person reading this blog can get there too! And become reigning DC Open 4.5 singles champion

The late, great boxer Muhammad Ali once said…

”Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

Rafa's 2013 - a tale of Recovery from Tragedy, Human Perseverance and Reclaiming World #1

After a long 7 months layoff from tennis because injury, trained and trained, day in and day out. He missed out on the US Open and the Australian Open. Instead of rushing to jump back immediately, he fought perhaps the greatest battle of his life.

Uncertainty during difficult times

In his book, Rafa, he confesses about how his greatest fear - inertia. If he had to stop playing tennis even for a few days, what would happen? It has been ingrained as deep as breathing into nearly every day of his life since a child. Being able to put it on hold for over half a year and believe he could return, means his faith is truly strong.

Admittedly there was doubt for even the most passionate Nadal fans. The big question to the entire tennis world was if - not just when - he would ever return to the game.

Staying Focused on Rehab

Following doctors orders, he put away his tennis racket and did not play any tennis for 7 months! Always in the gym, stretching, strengthening, doing all the workouts he could without injuring himself in rehab. Updating his facebook page weekly with pictures in the pool or relaxing with his family - nowhere near a tennis court. He was spurred on by the inspiring encouragement from fans; Rafa pressed on and stay loyal to his team's advice.

The test of patience

Watching his rivals climb over him and his rankings - I'm sure it must have been painful to be completely absent in nearly 3 Grand Slams.

Patiently, he relinquished the US Open Hard court season, the Indoor European season, the year ending ATP World Tour finals. Even then after the new year, he tested the waters carefully yet listened to his body and his coaches - skipping the Australian Open.

The thousands of ranking points slipped away; millions of dollars in prize money forfeited; optimism followed by caution to wait just a little longer, then a few weeks more... the tennis world wondered if this was the end.

Only he would be able to show the world if he could rise again...

Then one title after another, starting with a ATP 250 final, and from there his confidence grew and his body became stronger...

• Brazil Open
• Mexico Open
• Indian Wells BNP
• Barcelona
• Madrid
• Rome
• Roland Garros
• Montreal
• Cincinatti
• US Open

Ultimately, 2013 World #1, ATP Comeback Player of the Year, and 10 titles dominating almost every major hard court and clay court tournament on the tennis tour.

Year of Greatness: Reborn

Rafa not only came back in 2013, it turned out to be his best year of his career. The world witnessed a legend who crystallized the competitive tennis fuel in his soul so completely. In his essence so dedicated to the sport (every atom of his being, as he put it) that nothing could stop him.

The half-time intermission was over, he was ready. Not just 60% or 80% or 90% but his mind/body was hungry for it - like a predator that had not feasted. Absolutely determined. driven. unstoppable.

How many professional athletes in Any sport can go in into rehab for 7 months, come on the field in mid-season and still regain the pinnacle of champions by year's end.

Great Champions find a way. Vamos Rafa. See you in 2014!

Gasquet falls to Nadal at Rome's SF

Richard Gasquet put on an amazing run this week on clay in Rome. He put together a couple back-to-back wins against two top 10 players, Federer and Berdych in tight 3 sets both times.

Playing with confidence
Gasquet is playing with a lot more confidence lately and has been really whipping that one-handed backhand well around the court. At times, it seemed like his shots were even more spectacular than those of Nadal. A lot of concentration was required for Rafa to win the first set and seal his seat in the finals today.

Cross-court battle: Lefty Forehand vs Righty Backhand
The contrast of Nadal's lefty forehand going against Gasquet's one-handed (sometimes jumping) righty backhand was really a sight to see. Not since Rios, has the jumping backhand seemed so deadly. Even though I do not hit one-handed...if I did, Gasquet's technique would be a good one to emulate.

Gasquet's Autographed Card
Gasquet seems to be playing much better than when I last saw him at the Legg Mason ATP 500 in DC. He had just flew back from his the clay finals in a Gstaad, Switzerland and was watching his fellow countryman play a match on a side court.

I got his autograph on a player card during one of the changeovers. He seemed amused that I had a small collection of ATP player cards with the Legg Mason draw.

Nadal and Federer in Miami SF's (First Rematch in the USA after 6 years!)

Update:
The match-up looked very much one-sided, unfortunately. Commentators compared it to a heavy-weight title fight with a 2nd round KO. The court surfaces that Federer has the edge on may now be limited to indoors and perhaps grass (for lower bounces). Nadal's high kicking groundstrokes to his backhand seem to be too much for Fed to handle.

His forehands were not bad, but also did not do enough damage to Nadal's defenses. In the end, Roger made around 40 unforced errors the whole match, perhaps going for too much when he was behind in the score.

BNP Pairbas at Indian Wells behind the scenes

Indian Wells Photos available at: https://www.calitennis.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.

Spin Ball: The Physics of Polyester String

Spin Ball: The Physics of Polyester String

TENNIS.COM article published today highlights the "Pros of Poly" and why using Polyester strings is now almost mandatory for the top players of the game.
The modern game of tennis has become so powerful with the advent of racket technology that we are seeing men's forehands regularly approaching and even exceeding 100 MPH! At such high velocities, the forces of gravity are not strong enough to pull a normal groundstroke down into the court fast enough...

Enter Topspin and the Secret of Polyester

With Polyester and Co-Polyester strings, the strings will actually stretch for a few milliseconds with the ball, stop and then quickly snap back like taut bow. This action helps whip the ball and rotate it sideways as it comes off the strings, creating the top spin effect. Normal topspin generated from nylon or multi-filament strings "brush" against the ball but do not have the same recoiling effect. 

TENNIS.com: Racquet experts generally say that string technology has impacted the game more than the racquet technology in recent years. Do you have any thoughts on the next wave of string technology and what it would mean to tennis?

TennisWorld Magazine Interviews Roger Federer

TennisWorld Article by David Cox
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/An-interview-with-Roger-Federer-articolo163.html

"Roger Federer sweeps into the suitably grand settings of London's Marriott County Hall Hotel. ....striding through the elaborate dining hall he still exudes class and sophistication. The word suave was almost invented for Federer, he eases seamlessly through multiple languages at press conferences and possesses the kind of aura which reduces even the most experienced journalist to hushed whispers and reverence...."

The Science of "Super Spin Strings" w/ slow-mo video analysis

IMAGE CREDIT: CLIVE BRUNSKILL/GETTY IMAGES

In this article by the Atlantic Magazine, author Josh Speckman explains the physics behind Rafael Nadal's incredible spin potential and how technology has taken modern tennis to a completely different dimension today.

There is also an excellent video that shows this "snap back" effect of polyester strings. "Co-polyester" strings such as the acclaimed Cyber Flash and Cyber Blue strings are merely poly strings coated with special lubricants that allow the string to slip and slide back into place after contact. They propel the ball with a recoiling snap effect while maintaining the durable characteristics of polyester.

In the video, skip forward to 5:30 for a super-slow mo clip: The New Physics of Tennis: Unlocking the mysteries of Rafael Nadal’s killer topspin (Thanks to Chris for forwarding this to me!)

Tennis Stars "Rally For Relief" in Australia

Tennis superstars including Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Clijsters, Stosur, and many other friends of the Aussies gathered together on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne for a special exhibition tennis event.

In one day alone, over $1.5 million was raised for the victims of Australia's flood disaster: WTA | News | Latest News | Stars Rally For Relief

JCTennis Review - USPTA 2010 Coaches Conference

Here's my first Video Blog Review:

USPTA Coaches Conference last month in Naples, FL.

Read the full article here

David Emery - Topspin Cyber Blue String Review

David Emery is now the WTA hitting partner for Liezel Huber (currently #3 in WTA Doubles). She recently won the 2010 US Open Mixed Doubles with Bob Bryan. Congrats Dave on the promotion! Check out some of David's other Tennis Tips.





Buy 4 get 1 Free at HolabirdSports.com
Package - Topspin Cyber Blue 1.25 17 - Tennis String Packages

Note: To avoid a stiff feel with poly strings, it is recommended that you string all poly's 10% lower in tension. David has had good results after lowering his racket tension from 63 lbs to 57 lbs. Cyber Blue offers great control and feel as a durable cross string.

Poly Reel

Head Instinct (YouTek and LM), Cyber Flash 17g for mains, Ace 18 and Cyber Blue for crosses (respectively).

Agassi in his autobiography Open comments: "polyester string, which creates vicious topspin has turned average players into greats, and greats into legends. (Open, p.343)"

JC with Denis Kudla

JC with Denis Kudla
Originally uploaded by JCtennis.com

Denis is one of the top juniors in the USA right now...he made it to this year's US Open Boys Championship at NYC along with Jack Sock. Video Interview.

I was really surprised to find out he comes from Arlington, VA too. Today I got to play a couple sets both with and against him. He'll be America's next Andy Roddick in a few years.

It was an amazing opportunity for me to play against him and his brother Nikita. They could be the next Bryan brother doubles pair, who knows =)

Best of luck for the rest of your tournaments this year, Denis!

Moya retires at ATP Finals

I met Moya at the US Open a few years back and got his autograph.

I realized it's not that fancy of a signature, but if you watched him sign the TV monitors, you can tell that's just his actual handwriting I guess =)

He was an inspiration and mentor for Nadal and most of the Spanish tennis players.  A great forehand and always a threat on the tennis court. Moya will be missed by the whole tennis world.

Anyone have any idea how much this card is worth now that Carlos Moya is now retired?

Agassi gear at French Open - LM Head Instinct and Nike BF2's

At the French Open, Agassi used the same racket and shoes that I use today.

Saw this replay on Tennis Channel...notice the classic rubber band dampener and also the diamond stud earring =)

Reading more of his autobiography "Open" really surprises how many similarities we share in common.

I think like a lot of people out there making a living and getting by day to day...we are not always lucky enough to be good at what we love - but rather at some point in "growing up" to fit into society, force ourselves to love what we are good at.


Later in his career, he also used the (Liquidmetal) Head Instinct and wore the Blue & Yellow Nike BF2's

US Open 2010: JC_SLK

JC_SLK
Originally uploaded by JCTennis.com

Got to go up to NYC over the weekend 8/28-8/30 and catch some first round action. Arthur Ashe day had Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray all out in full force. It was the best weather I have seen in a long time. Sun and Mon were much hotter!

Finding good shade and healthy lunch choices are other skills I'll have to write an article about. Amex was also giving out $50 gift cards for $150 spent at the open. Getting the bag check service really helped me get around with just a plastic bag (Ralph Lauren had an awesome clear gift duffel sling bag).

Check out my other pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/demiace