A Player’s Perspective on High-Performance Development in New York City

September 23, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Denise Starr and Robert Levine, two elite players who reside in the New York City area, spent this past summer training at Gotham Tennis Academy/Stadium Tennis Center. While their opinions are unique, their perspectives are universal. Recently, they fielded questions from campers, as well as from parents of aspiring young players.

Denise Starr is a sophomore at the University of California–Berkeley. She was a freshman standout, posting an 8-1 singles record and a 6-1 doubles record. As a junior, she reached a career high of 126th in the ITF World Junior Rankings.

Robert Levine is a high school junior ranked 116th in the ITF World Junior Rankings. He has two ITF Singles titles, two ITF Doubles titles and has reached the semifinals of the 2014 Grade 1 Easter Bowl.

What do you look for in a program?
Robert Levine: Both general and specific training. Many big programs get a lot of hitting and points done, but rarely do they provide specific and individualized attention. I feel the combination helps me build skills which I can then integrate into my game. This facilitates my progress and makes a big difference over time.

Denise Starr: I look for well-rounded training and to have fun. As an all-court player, I need to work on my baseline game and net play, so programs that play a lot of fun transitional games always catch my attention.

Do you feel that you always need an equal level partner to get a good practice?
Levine: Definitely not. I think it is important to train with players who have a wide range in levels. For example, if you are working on trying to incorporate something new into your game, it’s helpful to play with a player who is not as strong as you are. If you are getting ready to compete in a tournament, it’s helpful to play with someone of equal ability. Once you’ve mastered what you’re working on, it’s helpful to test it out on a stronger player.

Starr: No … a variety helps a lot. For me personally, I hate playing matches against people who are at a lower level than me because it makes my level drop. The positive in that is it makes me fight against myself more, and I find my weaknesses easier that way. It helps me discover more intangibles.

How important are intangibles in a sport like tennis?
Levine: Intangibles are a real advantage in tennis, as they can create a huge difference between people of similar tangible levels. If my game is exactly the same level as my opponent, it makes all the difference to make one more shot, or to make my opponent hit an awkward ball. It's kind of like being able to improvise.

Starr: Well I would say intangibles give you a different perspective that helps you analyze the match in a way that maybe you weren't taught to. For instance, say you see something on the court and you adjust to it without being told to do so by your coach.

How has playing competitive tennis helped you grow as a person?
Levine: It has taught me to work extremely hard. I like how it forces me to look at my game realistically and be honest about what is good and what needs work. I feel like being able to do all of those things off court will help me excel at whatever I choose to do in life.

Starr: Tennis forces you to make your own decisions because it's a very independent sport. It creates self sufficiency in a way that you have to rely solely on yourself to get out of mental holes and win tough matches. Off the court, it's the same, you cannot rely on someone to make decisions for you and tell you what to do. You don't live with your parents forever. Then you have to decide for yourselves what you’re going to do day to day and self sufficiency is one of the most important things you need to survive.

What has motivated you throughout your development as a tennis player?
Levine: I’ve been lucky enough to have great mentors throughout my junior tennis career. I’ve surrounded myself with a team of coaches and advisors who believe in me. I am motivated by them, as well as by my desire to reach my short- and long-term goals.

Starr: I have a tough time staying still in general, and I love a good challenge. Being able to direct and use all of my energies in competition is really fun for me. As a result, I feel like it gives me purpose.

How do you prepare mentally for a match?
Levine: I like to do a bag check and make sure that I have everything I need, as it helps me complete my preparation. I know the majority of preparation is done weeks before the match, but having everything I need walking onto the court gives me a sense of finality. The only thing left to do then is to compete.

Starr: I like to clear my mind and not think about the match actually. I'll listen to music and juggle, or I'll jump rope and do a planned dynamic warmup. Bottom line … I like to work off some of my nervous energy and keep my mind busy.

As top players in our tennis program, you mentor younger tournament players. Can you talk about that?
Levine: I grew up with the benefit of having a mentor, and I know that played a big role in developing my own game. I’m really happy to be able to do the same thing for the younger players.

Starr: I have a lot of experience and knowledge to share. The “do’s” and “don’ts” can only be learned over time.

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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