Andy Durham
Director of Tennis
City of Aburndale (Cindy Hummel Tennis Center)

Auburndale, Florida

I am a proud member of both the PTR and the USPTA and as I understand the latest, the USTA has informed the PTR of its status and the areas that need clarification.

The requirements are the same so ticking off the boxes should be quite easy. If the PTR had gotten the nod first, then the same questions would be made of the USPTA.

Gary Trost
President
USPTA

Orlando, Florida

Dear Mr. Neher,

First, congratulations on being awarded the PTR media excellence award. Being mentioned along with Gene Scott is the highest praise that a tennis journalist could receive. You raised some thought-provoking questions in your last publication so I am happy to provide some perspective that may be a bit different from what you have previously heard.

For decades the US has had two primary bodies that certify coaches and tennis pros domestically. Both have thousands of loyal and long-tenured members. Each provides education to the industry, liability insurance and other benefits to their membership, but also basically compete for the same group of US coaches and professionals. Both have wonderful dues paying members who are passionate about delivering our sport to the millions who play tennis both here and around the globe. However, there has been one glaring deficiency with a "two certifying body system," which is that both bodies benefited by lowering standards in the quest for increased membership. In our country, we have had the lowest standards to be a "certified" professional of any major tennis country in the world.

To remedy this, in 2013, leaders from USPTA, PTR and USTA came together to work towards a solution to improve the network of certified professionals. While most were skeptical about this perceived "alliance," all three organizations agreed that this would be in the best interest of the sport. The common ground was that a more educated tennis coach would provide better on-court experiences for current and future tennis players.

USPTA and PTR agreed to elevate standards in the US by requiring, minimally, 6 hours of education for all our respective members over a 3-year period. Additionally, 4 hours of "Coach Youth Tennis," an online course, became required for pre-certification of new applicants. It was crucial that BOTH associations live up to the agreement to comply. This would diminish the possibilities for one organization to "poach" members from the other due to lax enforcement. While this requirement was still incredibly modest, it was certainly a start towards elevating standards for certified coaches.

At the end of the cycle in 2016, there were 2 distinctly different approaches toward compliance. USPTA sent numerous emails and letters to their membership informing them that not complying with the full 6 hours would result in suspension of membership and loss of benefits, including liability insurance. USPTA carefully tracked the educational credit activity of each member, and those who did not comply with the jointly agreed upon standards were subsequently suspended. This was risky and caused an approximate 10% loss of dues revenue. Local professionals were strongly encouraged to attend one of the 17 USPTA division conventions held annually, participate in the numerous Regional Education Days (RED) held around the country, or use the USPTA TENNIS RESOURCES, an online portal, to gain their educational credits.

PTR, on the other hand, avoided this responsibility. Instead, they embedded a link within an email stating that upon renewing membership, 12 online credits would be available to each member by simply clinking a link to receive credits. This was astonishing. Those who simply paid their dues were given credits, which breached the entire agreement. Worse, those PTR members who did nothing were never dropped from the membership roster and remained with full benefits. Never mind any "spirit" of the agreement, this was completely duplicitous.

Again, and to be clear, this is not about the PTR membership. Instead, this is about one association demonstrating - at significant financial risk - the willingness to enforce agreed upon standards while the other willfully avoided any accountability. Throughout, USPTA has remained committed to raising the standards of tennis education by requiring education as a part of membership. PTR has not.

As for any "unfair treatment" of PTR, one must assume you are referring to the accreditation process. The accreditation committee was an independent group charged with the task of evaluating any organization who could deliver education domestically to US Coaches. As of now, USPTA is the only association to be fully accredited.

I thought it was appropriate that you have the facts, not idle speculation. I wanted you to also understand the related timeline, as this has occurred over nearly half a decade. By offering facts, I expect you will be better equipped to evaluate this situation fairly.

As always, thank you for challenging assertions and viewing "tennis politics" suspiciously. Gene Scott was revered for doing this, but he also collected evidence to support his concerns. Gene Scott knew things were rarely as they seemed, and that was why his "Vantage Point" was useful to our sport.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Trost, President
USPTA

Gene Desrocher
Tennis Director
Marina City Club

Marina Del Rey, California

I'm the tennis director of The Marina City Club in Marina del Rey. Most of the pros around this area seem to be USPTA and I find the vibe somewhat standoffish when I say I'm with PTR. I have no personal problems or history with USPTA as an organization, but I get the sense that those pros wonder (sometimes they've even done it openly) why I joined PTR rather than USPTA. In my opinion both organizations have a lot to offer and should be working in conjunction, but I hear rumblings regularly about the divide. Ultimately, I spend a lot of time in my own little tennis bubble, so I can't speak to larger politics as I have little time to devote to it. I have attended T.O.M. Conferences in Indian Wells and the Tennis Director Conference at Hilton Head, and Don Henson's get-togethers outside LA, but otherwise mostly I have a couple pros in the area I'm in touch with and everyone is respectful. Hope that can be all the way around going forward. Clarifying the reason one group might be threatened and voicing that threat might dissipate it, but I've never really had it clearly articulated so it seems like a shapeless lurking specter. Thanks for bringing this up.

See you on the courts!

Geoff Griffin
Tennis Director
Balboa Tennis Club

San Diego, California

I think this will clear itself up. USTA needs to feel the PTR has the same standards as the PTA has. PTA is about to get much tougher now too. Probably will lose many members who are not willing to comply to the new education requirements. As for the PTR, I know they are working hard to satisfy what the USTA wants. I don't believe there is any collusion, though it certainly is obvious that the PTA is getting along better with the USTA than ever before.

Gerry Perry
Consultant
Gerald Perry Tennis Co.

Springfield, Missouri

As a member of both the USPTA and the PTR for over 30 years, I can confirm that they are both fine organizations. The PTR is more prominent internationally while the USPTA excels domestically. The PTR has a standard teaching method and is probably easier to join and more helpful for anyone not as experienced. USPTA is probably being favored by the USTA because it moved its headquarters to the Orlando campus. The two organizations should have merged several years ago. The USTA should work to facilitate this merger.

Jim Wrage
PTR
Mount Carmel High School Tennis

San Diego, California

I believe the uspta governing body has always thought of itself as the only official teaching body in the united states. As a high school coach and a usptr pro I have been able to attend some uspta events with speakers by virtue of being a high school coach. I personally chose usptr because I felt they have a better international approach to tennis and are doing a nice job of supporting their pros everywhere.

If we, as tennis professionals think we have the only formula for growing the game and teaching a life long sport, and that any other professional organization is not educating it's pros to coach exactly like the uspta does then I think we are doing a disservice to the tennis community.

Competition is good for the game but the uspta does give that vibe that their way is superior to any other way and I disagree. Coaching takes alot of passion and the willingness to recognize that all players are a little different and you have to be flexible in helping a player reach his or her potential.

I enjoy talking tennis with my uspta friends and generally we can agree that teaching tennis is not as simple as one mode fits all.

Keith Haigh
Director of Tennis
The Players Club
The Country Club at Muirfield Village

Hilliard, Ohio

Good evening, I really enjoy your newsletter!

Here is my personal story about the PTA/PTR rivalry.

I was a PTA member for over 25 yrs and in that time received Tester of the Year, Fay Tooley awards and held PTA Southern Ohio President. During this time I was told that I could not be a member of the PTR at the same time. While dues increased benefits decreased all to have the national board get rich with our dues. I asked for my dues to be waived since I was traveling as a tester throughout the Midwest. My request was denied and then was told to make a decision on membership and loyalty. I dropped PTR but kept in touch with the CEO of PTR, Dan Santorum! After the same old stuff at conventions I got tired of the same old talks. I then called PTR to reinstate and the CEO called me personally to see what I needed. Tim Heckler at the time wouldn't give the time of day to any one. He just wanted the paycheck. I am currently the PTR Ohio State Rep and am very happy with the organization. The PTR has great people working at the world headquarters that are completely accessible for anything you need. I will "Never" go back to PTA!

I am going on vacation this spring break to H.H.I. for several reasons. Family friendly activities for my kids and great golf and tennis for me. Yes, PTR is helping with the activities! PTA wouldn't do that unless it was at a convention.

That's my abridged story. If you need further clarification pls feel free to contact me at khaigh1@hotmail.com.

All my best,

Mark Sanderson
Mark Sanderson Photography

San Diego, California

I am responding to your request for feedback regarding PTR and the USTA.

I am a part-time teaching pro (PTR Professional since 2003), former College Player and HS/Prep coach (in CT) and sometimes Tennis Media/Photographer

While I have no personal issues (I have been a USTA Official/Umpire in my past as well as a USTA Tournament Director) with this per se, the USTA National Tennis Center may have dropped the ball a bit. USPTA (a fine organization) seems to have gotten "the jump" a bit, based on their location and "new" seemingly official partnership with the USTA.

Have you seen the TV commercials during the BNP Pariabas.....?

I was in Orlando last year (January 2018) and stopped in to see the new USTA National Campus - gorgeous. I was also interested in seeing the local PTR office (which to be fair, had just opened). When I was at the USTA Campus, I asked (a 20-something) staffer AT THE FRONT DESK - "do you know where the new local PTR office is? His reply...." What is PTR?"

I was not happy...and explained to him WHAT the Professional Tennis Registry is etc.....

That's my story! I did pass this on to PTR and hope this has changed.

Bryan Shepherd
Onemoretennisnut

Atlanta, Georgia

Proud PTR member
27 years now !!!
Certified PROFESSIONAL LEVEL

When you are the best, the others take shots at you ... Senseless ! Both groups perform SAME SERVICES one happens to be INTERNATIONAL. Impossible to reel that in and just serve within our borders.

No reason we cannot peacefully coexist and should the USTA slant towards the USPTA so be it !!! PTR serves to educate, certify and serve its member and those qualities are passed on to the members !!!!

Patricio Misitrano
Director of Tennis
Wee Burn Country Club

Principal & Co-Founder
Tennis Pro Search

Wilton, Connecticut

Why would you say there may be collusion? That is a big word. This is the definition: secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.

Disclosure: I am a certified member of both PTR and USPTA.

Rod Heckelman
Director of Tennis + General Manager
Mt. Tam Racquet Club

Larkspur, California

Collusion has to be the word of the year. Yes, it seemed odd that the USPTA plowed through the steps needed to unite with the USTA without much difficulty, but could that be because they relocated to Lake Nona? The PTR may have issues being permanently based out of Hilton Head. Although, that may all change as they seem to be more receptive to having national meetings on the west coast. For us Californians, it was always a bit hard to fly to the east coast to attend the national conventions. The USPTA has always been willing to alternate from one side of the country to the other. For most teaching pros, the trips across the country were not only expensive, but usually required an extra two days…time is money for any teaching pros.

There is also the fact that the PTR is seen as an international organization, whereas the USPTA, much like the title implies, is perceived as a group emanating from the USA. For years it has been the wishes of many that the two organizations combine to become one. That's a topic in itself, but maybe this latest action is a move in that direction?

Scott Harris
Tennis Coach

Riverside, California

Dan Santorum, in a fit of self-serving insistence on retaining his own job, sabotaged any chance the PTR had of becoming a part of the USTA's master plan. Now he wants us all to feel sorry for PTR's exclusion from the process.

Sean Taroli
Tennis Pro & USTA Umpire

San Francisco Bay area, California

I am writing concerning your most recent newsletter addressing the relationship between USTA & PTR.

I am a PTR certified coach. I am also a USTA umpire. While I am from NorCal I just spent the last 7 years in SoCal; Summer 2012 to Spring 2016 in Palm Springs where I watched the torn demolish dozens of tennis courts and systematically eliminate tennis from the very town that was created by the sport and the movie stars that played it. All that's left are a few public courts, and a private club with erstwhile programming. In 2016 I relocated to LA. South Pasadena, to be exact. I took a summer job working for iTENNIS, a company that has the concession on numerous locations in Southern CA. After summer I was offered the opportunity to head their non profit called Let's Teach. Let's Teach gives free and affordable lessons to kids, and creates summer, after school and community programming. I returned to my home of NorCal last December, and work with the USTA a few times a month as part of a special street team program under their Diversity & Inclusion department.

When I got your newsletter and read the portion about PTR & USTA, it reminded me of a very short conversation I had quite a few months ago. A rather alarming comment was made by an individual that runs a monthly round table-style get together of tennis pros, facility managers, etc. He selects a few topics, gives his thoughts and opinions, and then asks the group to lend their perspective and experience. I attended these chats every so often, in order to accumulate advanced education hours as required by PTR. I certainly do not want to misquote anyone, but basically it was strongly suggested that PTR was surly on its way out and that PTA was in. I don't recall everything that was said but I did get the idea that this individual had special access or insight into whatever it is that may or may not be going on in the tennis certification industry. His comment was lingering enough for me to mention it in an email I had planned on sending to PTR on an unrelated subject. They wrote me back, and said they'd write again soon. As far as I know I haven't heard back from PTR. It's not a big deal and I may have overlooked any response. Plus it might have seemed strange that I'm letting them know a rumor was out there concerning their future. So I let it go...

When I received your newsletter containing questions about USTA & PTR I decided to share the little I knew. When I received my PTR aprox. 2011, I shared my accomplishment and happiness with USTA NorCal. They could not have been more supportive. Especially since it was a challenge for me and something they knew I really wanted to achieve. In fact, one of the individuals I work for at USTA specifically mentioned they have an upcoming working relationship with PTR in terms of scheduling an upcoming workshop. I know the NorCal office speaks highly of PTR but I can't speak for any other leg of the organization.

However... this morning I opened a monthly industry newsletter from TIA. I rarely read these things but the current edition has some industry studies I was interested in. As I scrolled down I saw a link to a story about USTA accrediting USPTA, but only for 3 years. It appears to suggest no one else has received this added bonus, and it's something an organization must apply for. I've included a link to the page.

Can it be that this monthly speaker from almost a year ago, your newsletter, and the Tennis Industry Association newsletter are all parts of a puzzle on the subject?

Semu "Sam" Noa
Department of Recreation and Parks
Chevy Chase Recreation Center

Los Angeles, California

It was just a feeling I had when I first became a USPTR member in 1995, that the USPTA was acting snobbish toward the USPTR. It was/is my opinion that the USPTA feels being threatened by the USPTR as a competitor. After all, they are selling the same product in the country (USA). Two companies in the same country, selling the same product creates friction and jealousy and especially if the younger one becomes equal or slightly better than the older.

The name also has a lot to do with it. USPTA still feels that the USPTR copied from them. I am very happy with the name changed. Therefore what do the USPTA and USTA have in common, their first name the US.

Let me use the 4 P's of marketing to describe the threat from the PTR.
1. Product - Certification of Instructors - USPTA (A) (Grade) PTR (A+) more international
2. Prize (benefits) - Same (A) (A)
3. Place (location) Same (A) (A+) more international
4. Promotion* (Same (A) (A+) more global

USPTA focuses more on country clubs with an arrogant attitude and PTR focuses on both country clubs and public parks. There is collusion going on between the USTA and the USPTA because they related. And most of the management of the USTA has the country club mentality because they are from the CC. This is the reason the USTA is so messed up. A lot of wasted money on salaries and NO accountability.

Lastly, the USPTA is more in the continental USA and the PTR is more globally and just by looking at the USA vs the world, I would go with PTR.

Susan F. Nardi
Director of Junior Tennis
Griffin Club Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

In case you have not heard the USPTA put out a Feb. 22, 2019, (the day after they were know accreditated by the USTA) a video:

https://www.facebook.com/216727765077/posts/10161603245280078/

I was stunned by the video. I am aware that it was meant to be very tongue and cheek video, but is that really professional?
No. With all the things going on in our industry with everyone worldwide trying to grow the game is this productive? No. If I was a member of another international organization and federation I would be be disappointed and offend by the video. As a member of the PTR (Professional) as well as the USPTA (Elite Professional) I was put off by this. I value my education and think both organizations as well as many others have a different things to offer that help us become better at what coaches do everyday for our players.

I was compelled to right this letter by a Martin Luther King quote: "History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of bad people, the appalling silence of good people."

I ask the USPTA to take a look in there mirror and keep the professional standards high. Let's all work together to grow the game we love.

Susan F. Nardi

Mark Milne
Creator of Thirty30 Tennis

Arbroath, Scotland

Is this the ITF's solution to the problem with the 3rd set super match tie break?

METRO news reported that a letter including eight points that require 'urgent action' detailing players' concerns at the newly launched ITF World Tennis Tour was sent to the ITF this week.

Of particular interest is point number four:

'Full third set in Qualification stages instead of a match tiebreak'.

The following 'explanation' was added:

"Anyone who knows tennis understands that tiebreaks are very stressful and a bit of a lottery.

It is a 50/50 chance, a mere coin flip, which is not right after battling for 2 sets.

A match should be based on actual skills.

It takes away the mental, physical and tactical side of the game and therefore leaving the tiebreak down to a lottery and lucky momentum.

We did not travel all the way to a tournament to play 2 sets and a tiebreaker, so at least give us the chance to fight for the match in a full third set and test our physical and mental resilience."

To read the full article and letter click here (see link above).

Thirty30 Comment

Using the Match Tie-Break to 10 points as a 3rd set match decider is an unsatisfactory method to shorten a match.

To decide a match where the first two hard fought sets have been equally shared, it is simply not fair to decide the winner by using a Match Tie-Break.

It is just too short, is a lottery and the players don't like it.

While still bringing a match to a shorter conclusion, a 'final' (advantage) set (lead by 2 games) using thirty30 provides a much fairer method.

Every game starts at 30-30 and change of ends is after the initial two games followed by every four games - very simple - there are service 'holds' and 'breaks' and the set builds as per normal tennis.

The final deciding set still feels, looks and sounds like traditional tennis, e.g. 6-3 or 7-5 or 8-6, etc.

Instead of seeing match results e.g.:

6-4, 6-7, 1-0 (10-6)

Let's use thirty30 tennis and see match results e.g.:

6-4, 6-7, 8-6 (T30)

Much more satisfying!

Thirty30 Tennis - Have You Tried It Yet?

Why not try Thirty30 tennis and let us know what you think.