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.
Matta Matters are insights from the heart by Anne & Horacio Matta, founders of Broadway Tennis Center, professional tennis players, coaches, and parents. Their experience spans the tennis world from Grand Slams to Olympics, Davis Cup to Parent-Child hit and giggle, preparing players for the biggest stages of their lives.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Thursday, June 2, 2016
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)