Tennis Traditions

As Wimbledon gets ready to start I look back at the traditions that historically have dominated our sport. Traditions such as private clubs, exclusive clubs, and above them all - entitled members.
Tennis has changed a lot since its beginning. More people want to learn the game that they once watched on TV. They want to emulate the greatest players and the inspiration they left after lifting a silver trophy or signing an autograph.
Last time I was in Wimbledon it was clear to me that although we were the players and coaches we were constantly reminded that the All England Club belonged to its members, the patrons. There were Members Only signs everywhere. For the last two weeks I have been traveling in the U.S. coaching my son in futures pro tournaments. The first week I experienced that same old story of a private club where the tournament players were forbidden from practicing on unused courts because of "club policies". This week we are playing at a public park in Pittsburgh and although there are not many luxuries, we feel welcome. When we showed up this morning to get a practice court, a really friendly teenager told us to just go to an open court and share it if any other players came. The same smiley guy was later watering the courts and sweeping the lines that already looked perfect. When I offered to help him he said that he was happy working on the courts because he loved tennis.
At BTC we appreciate the history of tennis, but only the good parts. Good traditions such as respect for others, love for the game, honoring the game, but then we need to add the uncommon, modern twist which is accessibility to the public.
We want to be like the guy who swept the court because of his love for the game, not because a member asked him to do it.
Let's take care of this game that belongs to everybody, not just to the few lucky ones.

Bringing Back the Love for Tennis

I woke up this morning and turned the TV on to the Tennis Channel to watch the French Open. Richard Gasquet and Andy Murray were battling at 5-5 trying to take the precious first set. While Gasquet was preparing to serve straight behind him the camera was capturing the French Federation president bracing himself in the seat in total agony living every point to the fullest. The interesting thing is that his job doesn’t depend on the result of this match or the outcome of the tournament. When you watch this man’s behavior during the match you come to realize that his agony is part of his passion and this passion is being shared by the entire grandstand. The passionate agony is soon supplanted with joy when Gasquet finally wins the first set.

Passion can not be taught or faked. Passion is the result of many experiences over time that lead to truly loving what you do to the point of feeling something deep in your soul about it.

The French Federation has attained this national love for tennis not by hosting the French Open, but by empowering and encouraging every little, medium or big club in France to develop a love for the game. Every player matters, every club matters, hence tennis matters.

At BTC we are starting with our small club. We are trying to teach our youth and adults to learn to love the game so that at some point they will be passionate about it. In the US we own the big tournaments. We have the US Open, Indian Wells, Miami and countless mid size and smaller tournaments. We , however, have forgotten the small clubs and how to teach the love for the game. Join us at BTC as we work hard to bring back the love for Tennis.

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