For nearly four decades, Mike Barrell has been one of the most sought after speakers and advisors in the tennis industry. As a keynote speaker at three ITF Worldwide Conferences, as well as the author of the ITF Tennis10s manual and also the official 10U program used by many countries across the world, Barrell had…
Growing up in Oakland in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dale Evans was a die-hard fan of his beloved Athletics. Baseball was his first love, and he modeled his own game after the Athletics shortstop Walt Weiss, a native New Yorker. Evans played all sports and began tennis at the age of nine among…
Tennis is a fascinating sport, in that its impact stretches far beyond the white lines on the court. The fuzzy yellow ball has the power to change the lives of men and women, and take them places they may never have dreamed of. This is true for Cinto Casanova, the Director of Coaching and Junior…
If you or your kid’s forehand lacks power and spin, it’s not a mystery—it’s history. Professional tennis has fundamentally changed how the forehand is struck, yet many players are still using mechanics from a different era. The modern professional forehand did not appear overnight. Its roots trace back to early frontier players like Björn Borg,…
Our passion for introducing tennis to families at an early age and stage at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center requires a thoughtful, patient, and developmentally appropriate approach. At the age of 3, children are still developing coordination and receiving skills in gameplay. Instead of emphasizing structured gameplay, “Mommy & Me” tennis classes…
Having the right mental approach to learning is essential to your potential success. Like any sport, tennis will take time to master, regardless of your current level. Approaching the learning process the correct way will help with your journey of becoming a better player. Here are five tips to help in this journey: Playing tennis…
Tennis has evolved dramatically over the years, not just in terms of technology and player skills, but also in the equipment we use. Among the most notable advancements is the introduction of green tennis balls, which play a crucial role for juniors and beginners. After years of working to develop a top green ball program…
Every February, while our native New York remains bundled against the lingering winter, the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) draws the global racquets community south for its annual International Racquets Conference (IRC). The 2026 conference was particularly significant, marking the PTR’s 50th Anniversary. This ceremonial milestone created a unique energy among attendees, blending nostalgic reflection on…
The week before a tournament isn’t the time to change your game; it’s the time to sharpen it. If something feels slightly off, your backhand, your serve, your footwork, this is the week to clean it up with extra reps. But it’s not the moment to reinvent your game. During tournament week, I like to…
Winter changes more than the temperature. It changes how your body performs. When the weather drops, your muscles tighten faster. Your joints feel stiffer. Reaction time can slow slightly. Warm-up takes longer. Even your mood and energy shift because daylight decreases. If you ignore these changes, you feel flat in practice: Heavy legs; slow first…
