![]() Henry is a USPTA Elite Professional who is also certified to teach wheelchair tennis. The Brad Parks Award is presented annually and honors an individual or organization that has been instrumental in the development of wheelchair tennis around the world through playing, coaching, sponsoring or promoting the game. “We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and their efforts to make a difference in their communities.”īelow is a list of USPTA members that were honored this year:ĭee Henry of Norfolk, California was named this year’s recipient of the Brad Parks Award. “It’s great that so many USPTA professionals are getting involved in USTA grassroots programs,” said John Embree, USPTA CEO. Along with leadership and committee meetings, the Annual Meeting provides educational opportunities for all attendees to develop and enhance their personal and professional skills and learn new ways to promote the game of tennis. The USTA Annual Meeting and Conference brings together USTA leadership, national staff, national committee members and section volunteers and staff in pursuit of the USTA mission: to promote and develop the growth of tennis. 11 categories were presented during the awards banquet with seven USPTA members earning recognition. on Thursday before taking a break prior to her fall clinic schedule.LAKE NONA, Fla.– USPTA members were honored during the USTA Annual Meeting and Conference at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas. “To be able to have an event like this and work with an international tennis star is just incredible and we’re very fortunate.”įernández will remain in New England for the next two days, hosting clinics in York, Maine on Wednesday and Rye, N.H. “We’re a small club and we don’t have the big membership or hallowed grounds that some other bigger clubs have,” said Gogolos. Nahant has a special connection to the game of tennis, having been the site of the first-ever tennis match, when Jim Dwight and Fred Sears faced off on Dr. ![]() The event was also a big day for the Nahant Tennis Club, a small nonprofit that resides on the grounds of Nahant Country Club. “We really learned a lot, and it’s making me want to take part in more of her clinics in the future.” “It was incredibly informative and interesting, because her method and strategy are so different from what a lot of us have been taught about doubles play,” said Gogolos. Movement patterns at the net for optimal poaching The secrets and benefits of the stagger formation Positioning and coverage at the net so you are not passed The clinic, which ran from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., also covered: ![]() Her patented approach includes six steps: positioning, court coverage, the serve, the return, shot selection and competition. Tuesday’s event included a full schedule, with Fernández breaking down The Gigi Method. She travels the country doing clinics and camps and hosts The Gigi Method Tennis Camps for enthusiasts that want more in-depth instruction from Fernández. No one can ever take that away from you.”įernández now spends her time coaching adult players how to excel at doubles. “Not many people remember or relate to the 17 Grand Slam victories, but everyone remembers who won the gold medal. “Winning the Olympic gold medal is a life-changing experience, and nothing matches that,” said Fernández. In international competition, Fernández represented the United States and won gold medals in doubles play alongside Mary Jo Fernández in 19. Appropriately, the pair entered the Hall of Fame together in 2010. Whereas Fernández was fire, Zvereva was ice. While the duo weren’t complete opposites, Zvereva’s all-court game balanced her partner’s aggressive mantra. Fourteen of those titles were shared with Natasha Zverera, who complimented her spirited partner perfectly. The big-serving and hard-hitting native of San Juan, Puerto Rico was the first female athlete from her country to become a professional in any sport.įernández was fiery, tenacious, exuberant, and displayed her emotions on the court freely en route to 17 major doubles titles with four different partners. In October 2014, espnW voted Gigi Fernández the 10th-most-influential Hispanic athlete in history. In 2000, Fernández was named Puerto Rican Athlete of the Century. She is an International Tennis Hall of Famer and the winner of 17 Grand Slam doubles titles with various partners along with two Olympic gold medals. “It’s so incredible to have someone who reached the pinnacle of their sport come in and teach you a whole new way to play tennis.”įernández is considered to be one of the greatest doubles players of all time. “It was an awesome day from start to finish,” said Andrea Gogolos, who is on the Board of Directors at the Nahant Tennis Club. NAHANT - The town got a special treat Tuesday afternoon, as former two-time Olympic gold medalist and 17-time major winner in doubles tennis Gigi Fernández visited to host her patented “The Gigi Method” doubles tennis clinic at the Nahant Tennis Club.
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