News and Events

Fri, 4 May 2012 15:53:25 -0400

Teams representing the USTA Florida Section placed second and third at the 2011 USTA League Super Senior 6.0 and 8.0 National Championships, wrapping up last year's regular-season league play, held at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex in Surprise, Ariz., on April 20-22, 2012.

The Florida 6.0 Super Senior men's team from Gainesville finished runner-up to the San Juan, P.R. team, representing the USTA Caribbean Section, by a team score of 3-0.

The Gainesville team was comprised of captain Patrick Phelan, Albert Guarino, William Lee Wiltbank, Peter Amish, John William Johnston, Alex Kesler, Raymond Findley, Malcolm Maden, and Russ Metler.

The Gainesville team finished second to the Volusia/Flagler team at the Florida Section Super Senior Championships by a score of 0-3, but advanced to nationals when the Volusia/Flagler team could not make the trip. To gain the final at nationals the Florida squad defeated USTA Southern (Bluffton, S.C.) 2-1 in the semifinals. USTA Southern lost the 3rd/4th place playoff to USTA Pacific Northwest.

The Gainesville team includes Johnston, a wheelchair player who was making his second appearance at a USTA League National Championship, approximately 20 years after becoming the first wheelchair player to play USTA League tennis.

"I was the very first one to play able-bodied USTA League tennis," said the 63-year-old Johnston, who reached a career-high wheelchair tennis ranking of No. 24 in the world. "I started telling other guys in chairs about it, trying to get them involved. There are not many of us. I would say probably 10 to 15 at most."

The Florida 8.0 Super Senior women from Jacksonville placed third, defeating USTA Intermountain 3-0 in the 3rd/4th place playoff.

The Jacksonville team was comprised of captain Mary Armstrong, Darlene Morris, Katharine Dake, Myrle Robinson, Janett Thomas, Susan Bracco, Leslie Polsen, Dianna Crislip, and Virginia Shuman.

USTA Southwest won the championship, defeating USTA Middle States 3-0 in the final.

For full results go to www.usta.com/Play-Tennis/USTA-League/National-Championships/60-80-Super-Seniors/60_80_super_senior_national_champs_crowned.

John Johnston has been a unique USTA League fixture for decades, back once more at Nationals and taking on able-bodied players.

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:27:36 -0400

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The evolution of wheelchair tennis continues.

John Johnston, a 63-year-old tennis wheelchair player, made his second career appearance in a USTA League National Championship this weekend.

The resident of Gainesville, Fla. represented the USTA Florida Section Super Senior men’s 6.0 team and helped his team advance to the semifinals at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex.

Johnston, a Vietnam War veteran, began playing wheelchair tennis in the mid-1970s and went on to become a world-class wheelchair tennis player, traveling around the world and achieving a career-high singles ranking of 24 in the world.

In 1990 Johnston captured a doubles title at the Japan Open with Brad Parks, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, who is considered one of the pioneers of wheelchair tennis.

Johnston became the first wheelchair player to play USTA League tennis approximately 20 years ago and played in his first USTA League National Championship at the Senior level in 2004.

"I was the very first one to play able-bodied USTA League Tennis. I started telling other guys in chairs about it, trying to get them involved," Johnston said. "There are not many of us. I would say probably 10 to 15 at most."

When Johnston plays with able-bodied players, he wants to show that he deserves to be on the same court.

He told the story of his first match against an able-bodied player years ago who said he wouldn’t hit the ball hard at him. On the first point of the match, Johnston set the tone as he slammed a shot at his opponent who had approached the net.

Johnston has seen wheelchair tennis evolve since he began playing and is impressed with the high level of the sport today.

"The Open (wheelchair) players now are playing unbelievable," Johnston said. "The level has risen immensely and the quality of play is incredible. It’s a specialized sport."

Johnston sees a bright future for wheelchair tennis. "It’s only going to get better and better. The kids are younger and stronger," he said. "They’re training for it. They’re going through the regular routines that the pros do now. They work out three times a day and do cross-training with weights. They’re top athletes."

When it comes to promoting USTA League tennis, Johnston has a message for his fellow wheelchair players – "You’ve got to get out there and play. It’s a game of a lifetime. You can play with your friends and family," he said. "I want them to take advantage of it because it’s going to help their game all over. I would hope that a lot more would do it."

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Alachua's Ghita USTA Florida Adult League Captain of the Month

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 19:09:15 -0400

August League Captain of the Month

Gabriel Ghita is our August League Captain of the Month. See his feature on our Facebook page.

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Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Broward Advance to Jr. Team Tennis Nationals

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 17:08:45 -0400

Orlando repeated at the 14-Intermediate champion, and Gainesville, Jacksonville and Broward County also earned berths to the USTA Jr. Team Tennis Nationals during the USTA Florida Jr. Team Tennis 18-U & 14-U Summer Section Championship, held July 29-31, 2011, at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach.
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Jonesville Tennis Center in Gainesville Receives USTA National Honors

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 16:52:25 -0400

The Jonesville Tennis Center, which has rocketed to success in Gainesville, Fla., since its construction in 2009, has been announced as the winner of the national 2011 USTA Outstanding Facility Award by the United States Tennis Association. In addition, the Jonesville Tennis Center received the 2011 Featured Facility Award, presented to the one facility (among those chosen to receive the USTA Outstanding Facility Award) that demonstrates exceptional excellence in facility design, court construction, amenities and related components, and promotes high standards in tennis facilities that enhance the enjoyment of tennis in their local area. The award also recognizes the facility as an early adopter of the 10 and Under Tennis format. Read More

2011 USTA Florida 8-U, 10-U, 12-U Summer League Tennis

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 13:38:52 -0400

Orange County captured two titles, and Jacksonville and Miami one each during the 2011 Jr. Team Tennis Summer Sectional 8-Under, 10-Under & 12-Under Championships, held July 22-24 on the claycourts at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach.

Orange County (part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area) announced itself as the capital of 10 and Under Tennis in Florida when it swept the two 10-and-under divisions, with its "United 8s" team winning the 8-and-under division title, and its "United 10s" squad capturing the 10-and-under title.

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This was the first year that the USTA Florida Jr. Team Tennis Summer Sectional Championships featured an 8-and-under division, played with the new USTA 10 and Under Tennis equipment, featuring shorter nets, smaller racquets, softer balls and 36-foot court dimensions (compared to a 78-foot adult court) so that small children are not forced to adjust to heavy adult racquets and high-bouncing balls.

USTA Florida Team Tennis Coordinator Michelle Willis called the 8-and-under division a "Dad-fest," with fathers on almost every court assisting with scoring, explaining rules, urging children to drink plenty of water in the 90-degree temperatures, showing children general etiquette and how to shake hands after the match, and applauding their kids' good shots as well as their children's opponents.

"The 8-and-under children used the 'red ball,' and red temporary lines were placed on the claycourts to easily display the 36-foot court boundaries," Willis said. "At this level, it is necessary for each court to have at least two 'coaches' assisting with play, as the kids are just learning the rules of the game. Many parents stepped in to assist and were having as much fun as the players."

The 8-and-under, 10-and-under and 12-and-under age divisions competed in novice and intermediate flights. All teams and divisions in Jr. Team Tennis are co-ed, with play featuring boys' and girls' singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Children in the 10-and-under division competed on 60-foot courts, with temporary orange lines nailed into the claycourts. The 12 Novice division used the "green ball," a softer ball the same size as but one level below a regular ball, while the 12 Intermediate division used the regulation yellow ball on the full court.

"The green ball really gives the 12 Novice-level player a better chance to hit the ball in the proper strike zone," Willis said. "The rallies lasted so long, even with their novice level, I was tempted to switch to the yellow ball! The 12 Intermediate-level matches were extremely competitive, these kids are serious about tennis -- based on the size of their tennis racquet bags!

The United 8s were captained by Stephanie Huber, with team members Alexa Scalzo, Arkese Jerell Lewis, Damon Huber, Eriana Teague, Ethan Le, Ian David Delgado, Jeffrey Dumas, Nate Darch, and Scarlett Huber. The United 10s were captained by Elias Rivera, with team members Adam El Amrani, Annalise Garrett Vetter, Arianna Janeill Lewis, Aysha Simmonds, Carys Huber, Erica Simmonds, Jacob Johnson, Michael Collin Darch, Mizani Ponder, and Ryan William Lake.

The 12 Novice division was won by the Coral Reef Breakers of Miami, captained by Kara Borromeo, with team members Catalina Amira Garcia, Kayla Hogan, Nyjah McKinley Head, Reilly Cabrera, William Reyes, and Zephyr Weddell Brokaw.

The 12 Intermediate division title was won by the Florida Yacht Club "Zone Team" from Jacksonville, captained by Lisa Ballantyne, with team members Andrew Culver, Elise Marie Ballantyne, Kaleb Rowland, Lilly Finlayson Whitner, Louis John Ballantyne, and Madison Elisabeth Brito.

All participants also enjoyed a player party on Saturday evening at Daytona Lagoon water park, and were back Sunday morning for the completion of the competition.

Sportsmanship awards went to:
8-and-under division -- Asher Ravede of Daytona Beach's team "WildCard," and Ysabella Quelsly Bagayas of Miami's team "Coral Reef Lil' Bits"
10-and-under division -- Cameron Ghalayini of Altamonte Springs' "Sanlando Blue Bombers," and Lorna Milani of Gainesville's "Jonesville Jaguars"
12-and-under division -- Molly Pospisil of Clearwater's "McMullen Maniacs," and Kevin Enos of Stuart's "Treasure Coasters"

Division winners:
8-and-under division champion -- United 8s (Orange County)
10-and-under division champion -- United 10s (Orange County)
12-and-under Novice division champion -- Coral Reef Breakers (Miami)
12-and-under Intermediate division champion -- Florida Yacht Club "Zone Team" (Jacksonville)

The USTA Florida Jr. Team Tennis Section Championships are held at the end of each local league season, when all the regions throughout the state are invited to come together in one location to compete against each other in their age and skill level for the title of Florida Section Champion.

For more information visit www.ustaflorida.com/jttchamp.

Congratulations Zachary Goldberg and Jazz Whittaker, Sun’s Tennis Players of the Year

Sun, 3 Jul 2011 18:55:28 -0400

2011 GAINESVILLE SUN BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR - by Cliff Olsen, Correspondent
ZACH GOLDBERG, GAINESVILLE
Credentials
The 5-foot-11 sophomore, who was part of Eastside’s team that reached state in 2010, was a major factor in Gainesville’s success this spring. Goldberg was 16-3 at No. 1 singles, which included a perfect record against area opponents, and won the District 4-3A title. He also grabbed the district crown at No. 1 doubles with Cole Fiegel and ended with a 17-3 mark. Goldberg’s exceptional season led the Hurricanes to their first district championship since 2007 and to their first trip to the FHSAA Class 3A state tournament since that year as well. At state, he lost his opening-round singles match, but was able to post a first-round victory with Fiegel in doubles action. Goldberg, who turned 17 on Saturday, is ranked 44th in the state in the boys under-18 rankings, according to the USTA’s June rankings.
“In high school tennis, it is a team sport, it is not just the individual like I do outside of high school tennis,” said Goldberg, who was effective with his serve and his forehand this season. “The goal was not to get to state by myself, I would much rather go as a team.
“I tried to lead the team as well as I could and be supportive and try and do my best to lead the team to victory in our matches. It was a great year.”
Personal notes
Goldberg has played the violin since he was four years old. He takes lessons every week and plays in the Gainesville Suzuki Players Hausmusik Orchestra.
Quoteworthy
“I felt very excited that I had won the award. It was a goal of mine to win this award, because to win the award, I had to compete well, have a good record and beat the other players in the area. I am very satisfied and grateful that I have gotten this award. It was a goal of mine so I am satisfied that I got it.” – Zach Goldberg
2011 GAINESVILLE SUN GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAZZ WHITTAKER, P.K. YONGE
Credentials
For the fourth straight year, a P.K. Yonge player takes home this award. The 5-foot-11 Whittaker follows former Blue Wave star Lindsey Cable, a three-time winner of the award, who is now at Stetson. Whittaker posted a 14-4 record at No. 1 singles, which included winning the District 4-1A title, advancing to state as an individual and winning her opening-round match. The sophomore, who relies on her forehand and said she is comfortable playing at the net, teamed with Kiah Turner and the duo won the FHSAA Class 1A state title on the individual side of the doubles bracket. A year ago, the duo won the Class 1A state crown at No. 2 doubles. Whittaker is ranked 57th in the state in the girls under-16 rankings, according to the USTA’s June rankings.
“I thought I had a pretty good year, especially for doubles,” Whittaker said. “I was hoping to get a little further at state (in singles). My goal for state was to come home with some kind of medal and get to the finals in doubles or singles.”
Personal notes
Whittaker, whose older sister Zari is a second-team all-area choice, also played volleyball for the Blue Wave last fall. She said she doesn’t see herself playing again because she said volleyball takes up a lot of time and she wants to focus more on tennis, which she’d like to play in college. Whittaker also owns a 4.23 weighted GPA.
Quoteworthy
“I was just really excited, winning this award was one of my goals and I was hoping that I would get it. I am just happy to represent my school and get my picture in the newspaper.” — Jazz Whittaker