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Hi there,
Tennis always has been a "scene." Ever since the days of all-whites hustling across green lawns, onlookers have hushed when a ball is in play, only to erupt upon game point and, certainly, party after match point.
 Royal types were among the progenitors of the sport, and as the masses caught on it became anyone's game. The U.S. Tennis Association--in conjunction with the Tennis Industry Association and support from teaching organizations--is progressing on making it everyone's game.
While decades have turned all-whites into anything-goes, and even green hard courts to blue and purple, among other hues, tennis remains a social magnet. The time of world-class tennis competitions in intimate settings largely has been traded for massive bashes in which tennis is the centerpiece, but not the only attraction.
With three Grand Slam events behind us, and the U.S. Open Series providing a lead-up to the U.S. Open, the excitement continues to build. As the players dig deep to keep their strength and focus for the U.S. Open, so, too, do the tennis scenesters.
You know, the industry insiders, the serious enthusiasts, the press and, well, sometimes those just looking for a cool party.
And as the days count down to the year's final major, all can look forward to celebrating tennis on and off the court and seeing it drench mainstream culture.
Keep reading for important off-court happenings... |
| Can't-miss events of the social season |
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| Book your spot now
While sitting courtside is an excellent way to support the game--as well as see and be seen--there are a host of off-court events that will make you feel connected to the effort to grow tennis and do some good for the community at large. You'll also leave these events enlightened about the inside goings-on of the sport.
Savor salmon as much as smashing serves? Buy a ticket to the Dacor Taste of Tennis on Aug. 23 and you'll get served tasty small dishes by the renowned chefs who created them as well as top pros in town for the U.S. Open. The eighth-annual event is held at the W hotel on Lexington, a favorite among the pros. Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Daniela Hantuchova and Svetlana Kuznetsova are among the players expected to participate. The events will raise funds for The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. $500 | Click here for info
Martina addresses teachers: The 37th Annual USTA Tennis Teachers Conference opens with a Q&A with Martina Navratilova on Sunday, Aug. 28. The hour session is sure to be entertaining as she always speaks her mind and makes no apologies. Attendees may get to ask a question at the end of the relaxed session. $160 by Aug. 8 | Click here for info
Tennis Industry Forum: This event makes its debut appropriately on the first day of the U.S. Open. Just as the tournament brings in the heavy-hitters, so does this event. Speakers for the one-hour session on initiatives to grow the game (and progress reports) include USTA President Jane Brown Grimes, TIA President Dave Haggerty, USTA Chief of Community Tennis Kurt Kamperman, and Tennis Magazine Publisher Jeff Williams.
Recognizing the past, building the future: If you missed hall-of-fame weekend in Newport last month--and all the high society-type festivities and down-home great matches that go with it--you can make up for it at The Legends Ball. This event is the premiere source of fundraising for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which preserves the game's history and develops opportunities for juniors to play. This year's gala has been injected with new energy by moving to Cipriani on 42nd Street, and creating a $100 party ticket (cocktails, dancing and entry to the after-party at the Marquee club). The full tickets, which include the cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and auction (live and silent) go for $650 and up, but the party ticket is a way to provide access for the younger, late-night crowd looking for a tennis party. With legends like event co-chairs Monica Seles (making a rare appearance) and Jim Courier, plus Andre Agassi (who's receiving an award) on hand, it promises to be the place to be on Sept. 7. $100+ | Click here for event info (or call 212-843-1740 or e-mail legendsball@hgnyc.com) and click here for live auction items.
Hit the beach: If you haven't caught a beach tennis match or tried the game yourself, you must get to Long Beach on Sept. 1-2. That's where the Men's and Women's Pro Finals of Beach Tennis USA are happening. The regional qualifiers are Aug. 18-19 in case you want to compete. The pros will be fighting for $15,000 in prize money, and the Tennis Channel and SportsNet New York are among the networks providing taped broadcasts of the action.
Free | Click here for info
Are you hosting a can't-miss event? Email liza@tenniswire.org with the details. |
| Tennis Goes Pop! Game on the Great White Way |
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"Deuce," starring Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes
 The story: Two former players, whose doubles triumphs together outshone their singles careers, attend a U.S. Open match where they are honored. Their conversation and actions cut across all parts of love, life, aging and the game itself.
Cool stage: The set is compromised of the U.S. Open stadium stands, where the two ladies are sitting, and a broadcast booth, seemingly suspended above, where two commentators do their thing. The experience is engaging because the audience is situated where the court is meant to be. Sound effects of the ball, players' grunts and crowd eruptions and applause are real and exciting.
Action: While the actors' heads move left to right following the ball, the audience doesn't see much movement. The ladies are seated most of the time, and the focus is on their conversation or expressed inner thoughts.
Bottom Line: Tennis fans and insiders will enjoy the spectacle of tennis on Broadway, and may be interested to hear the two characters' takes on the modern game (the yellow ball "was the beginning of the end" and tennis is "caviar to the masses"). Witnessing Lansbury and Seldes is an event in itself. While most of the crowd did chuckle throughout, "Deuce" is a mildly entertaining look at the lives, loves and views of two women.
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| Five Questions with...Rene Stauffer |
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Rene Stauffer is a Swiss sports journalist who started covering Roger Federer in 1996 when the now 10-time Grand Slam champion was 15 years old. The English translations of his unauthorized biography officially debuts on this first day of Wimbledon.
Q. How cooperative was Roger Federer with you toward writing the book? I have done a lot of interviews with Roger over the years and asked him basically all the questions I ever had. Roger gave me the green light for this book, but he did not want to put out his official biography as of now.
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| Latest Research: Courts used more in '07 |
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 From the Tennis Industry Association
The just-released the "Cost of Doing Business Report for Facilities" indicates that 62% of facilities report that court usage is up compared to the same period last year. The 80-page report, which provides a comprehensive study of operational data by region and type of facility, includes trends comparisons with information on programming and operational costs.
The Tennis Industry Association is the #1 source for tennis research. You can join for as little as $100.
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Sincerely,
Liza Horan
TENNISWIRE.org |
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