The Tennis Life

article by Phil Trahan

Community Tennis Associations are the lifeblood of grassroots tennis, offering recreation, competition and social interaction. Enjoy reading about the activities of our NELA associations and the successes of their players at all levels!

Catherine Hardy (center) and Donna McGee (2nd from right) are members of the Louisiana 8.5 combo Championship team.

Advanced Mixed Doubles winners in the MAC Club Championships are Lee Ainsworth and Vijay Singh.

Tournament Director Kathryn Waters with several junior participants in the NELA Community Tennis Association Fall tournament. 

Runnersup in Louisiana 6.5 Combo Doubles are the Ladies from Ruston. Front row: Nancy Hunt, Shelley Parker, Ellie Puckett, Sarah Davison. Back row: Bitty Butler, Celia Wood, Erica Norris, Mollie Robbins, Captain Jennifer Sexton, Jessica Phillips.

President Ashton Thomas (2nd from left) and members of Louisiana Tech’s USTA on Campus team at the Ruston CTA Town Hall Dinner.

TIPSTER SAYS
This month’s Tipster is Mark Taylor, Director of Tennis for the City of Monroe.

Mix up your return of serve in doubles. If you hit the same old cross court return every time, your opponent’s net player may begin reading your return and poaching on it. Some other do return options are:
• Short angled return crosscourt, and this shot doesn’t have to be hit with pace.
• Lob return over the opposing net player. This works well against a player who likes to poach and
forces him to switch sides of the court.
• Return down the line. This again works well against aggressive net poachers.