TOURNAMENT MOVES TO NORTH TEXAS IN 2024

The Texas Slam is moving north this summer! USTA Texas announced the Dallas Professional Tennis Association along with the City of Plano and High Point Tennis Center have been selected as the Texas Slam hosts for 2024. The event, being held June 9 – 15, features competition for both boys and girls from Texas across four age divisions and includes both singles and doubles.

The location won’t be the only update for this year’s event. Draws for the Texas Slam will be capped at 64 players per division shortening the event by one day. A qualifier event will be added to give a final chance for Texas competitors to enter the prestigious tournament.  Plus, winners of the 18s girls and boys divisions will earn a wildcard into qualifying for the 25k Austin and Harlingen events respectively. These updates and more are all part of an effort to provide a better overall experience for the participants while attracting top talent to the event. For 2024, the Texas Slam will also include boys and girls wheelchair divisions, a first for the tournament.

High Point Tennis Center, which earned the USTA’s Outstanding Facility Award in 2022, will serve as the main site for the event. The surrounding Plano area boasts 133 tennis courts and 100 courts within 10 miles of each other. Previous Texas Slam host cities include Georgetown, Abilene, College Station and Wichita Falls.

USTA Texas Executive Director, Fred Viancos said the Texas Slam has a storied history and the section is proud to build on its legacy through innovation and player accessibility. “We continue to explore ways to make the Texas Slam the premier event for our Texas Juniors. We’re excited to have the event hosted in the Dallas Metroplex area.”

Tournament information will be available by Friday, March 1 on playtennis.usta.com.

ATA PLAYERS SIGNING TO PLAY COLLEGIATE TENNIS

One of the most significant events in a junior tennis player’s career is their Signing Ceremony, and there are two ATA seniors we will be celebrating this coming Thursday, February 15.

Ross Cockrell will be signing to play tennis at Colorado College in Colorado Springs in the fall and Tucker Taylor will head to Roger Williams University in Rhode Island to begin his college tennis career.

We’re proud of the work and dedication these two have put in necessary to realize their dreams of playing collegiate tennis, and we hope you’ll join us for their Signing Ceremony. There will be speeches, lots of laughs, even a few tears shed, and of course, cake.

Join the celebration Thursday at 6:00 pm at Austin Tennis Academy.

JACK NEWMAN RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS HONOR

Coach Jack Newman is known as one of the finest and longest-tenured junior development coaches in the United States. He founded tennis programs at Fretz Tennis Center in Dallas, at St. Stephen’s school in Austin, and finally, the Austin Tennis Academy.  And anyone who knows Coach Newman knows he’s a man who has left an indelible mark on not only tennis, but hundreds and hundreds of people. In recognition of who he is, what he’s done, the difference he’s made, and the impact on lives he’s had, the USPTA Texas presented Coach Newman with the Tut Bartzen Lifetime Achievement Award.

Coach Newman officially received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the USPTA Texas Annual Conference held this year in Irving. “When I was first informed that the Texas Section of the USPTA was honoring me with a lifetime achievement award I had mixed emotions,” said Jack Newman, Owner/CEO, Austin Tennis Academy. “I thought, ‘Wait a minute, I still got a lot of life to live!!!'”

The Tut Bartzen Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a member (Coach Newman has been a member for 40 years) who has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas throughout their career: contributions to the USPTA and USTA; achievements in teaching and playing both on and off the court, contributions of time and expertise to other organizations and/or charities, and commitment to growing the game through published articles, presentations, education, and communications.

“As I’ve thought about this honor what resonated in my mind was all the people who contributed to MY lifetime of achievement,” said Coach Newman. “It starts with a college friend Jerry Schwartz, who invited me to spend the summer at his house when we were in college.  I came to Dallas and started working at Fretz Tennis Center.”

“My colleagues at Fretz who aided in MY achievements,” Newman pointed out, “included our boss Babs Givens, coaches Andrea Rains, Joe Dinnoffer, Larry Whitson, Tim Barnard, Jeff Robison, Raymond Gonzales and many others who pushed me to be better.  My coaching colleagues met through the DPTA who also contributed to my success included Nony Michulka, Sally Frame, Kathi Eckels, David Redding and David Anderson both doubles partners who carried me. While I was in Dallas I started relationships with others in our business who helped accomplish things including: David Blakely, Cynthia Shipper, Phil Parrish and many others.

Newman added, “When I left Dallas to help my friend Eric Schmidhauser start a program at St. Stephen’s boarding school, I had another group of folks who pushed me to be better.  Those colleagues included Eric and Lucie Schmidhausers, Vince Segovia, Deb Cahill, Doug Davis and many others. And when we left St. Stephen’s to strike out on our own and found the Austin Tennis Academy, those same colleagues joined the journey.”

Along the way, Newman acknowledged, there have been many parents who influenced his philosophy including the Melmends, the Stahls, the Youngs, the Hacketts, the Smiths, the Kaufmanns, the Offerdahls and the Gubsers and so, so many more.

“After 20 years at the Austin Tennis Academy,” said Newman, “I have tried to surround myself with coaches and teachers smarter than me and they have added to MY achievements; people like Dio Miranda, Brian Notis, Bryan Rutherford, April Erickson, Doug Davis, Carol Hagar, Deb Cahill, Duey Evans, Vince Segovia, John Schoenmakers, Ryan Rowe, Norm Houston, Shiamaa Elsisi.  Additionally, the list of students who became colleagues grows ever longer; coaches like Chase Bartlett, Chase Curry, Brandon Davis, Ashley Weinhold, AJ Garcia, Jake Rother, Tommy Collins. To those I have failed to list who added to this career I apologize, senior moment!”

And finally, Newman said, “As I have said on many occasions the student makes the coach and my students have certainly made me a better coach and person, and helped me accomplish many achievements.  That includes folks from ATA stretching all the way back to the Fretz days: Melanie Rogers, Ted Bowie, Carla Rosenberg, Lance Cowart, Andrew Dobbs, Lynden Melmed, Eli Stahl, Doug Moore, Loren Collins, Neil Kenner, Andrew Menter, Craig Ackerman, all three Davis brothers, Roger Gubser, Mattew Bain, Kewa Nichols, Lindsey Pereira, Josh Hagar, Bailey Forgus, Nico Jamison, and so, so many more too numerous to name. My achievements are tied to my relationships with them and their families.”


Also during the 2024 USPTA Texas conference, as a featured speaker, Coach Newman delivered his presentation, ‘Developing Culture that Drives Results.’

Click here to view a ‘Congratulations Video’ for Coach Newman; and click here to read the USPTA’s release about Coach Newman.

CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Spring Break is just a month away, and that break is a perfect time for your child to be able to progress at a rapid pace with their tennis by attending one of ATA’s camps.

Spring Break camps will be held March 11 – 15 on the tennis courts at Austin Tennis Academy. There will be three different session levels held in the morning camps from 9AM to Noon each day that week.  There will also be an afternoon session called Tournament Tough Camp for Academy-level players from 1 to 4PM each day. All camps run Monday through Friday rain or shine.

Click here for more information or to register your child to attend.

FORMER ATA COACH PURCHASES TENNIS CLUB IN INDIANA

The beginning of a new year ushered in the realization of a long-time dream for a former Austin Tennis Academy coach.  Josh Rifkin, who left ATA a few years ago to return to his home town and start up his own gym, Synergistic Body, has now purchased the indoor tennis facility where he played tennis as a junior.

In an interview with Inside Indiana Business, Rifkin said “I’ve been thinking about something like this for well over a decade, not necessarily tennis club oriented, but a way to kind of bring tennis and community, among other components that have been my passion over the past, many, many years, together. So it is kind of serendipitous. The opportunity was there to make things kind of full circle for myself.”  Wildwood Racquet Club has more than a 40-year history in Fort Wayne, Indiana; it has 12 indoor courts, four outdoor courts, and eight pickle ball courts. The facility also features a pro shop, fitness center, court-side bar and restaurant, and child care services.

The ATA community will remember Rifkin from his time helping develop junior tennis players both as a tennis coach and a fitness coach. “My time working at ATA was invaluable in preparation for my recent tennis club acquisition,” said Rifkin. “From enhancing my practical hands-on skills of tennis instruction and fitness training to understanding nuance of operations, programming, and team mindedness. The environment and culture (at ATA) allowed growth and learning from every corner.”

“We are so proud of the entrepreneurial spirit of Coach Josh Rifkin as he begins his journey at Wildwood Racquet Club,” said Jack Newman, ATA Owner and CEO. “Josh only does things one way, the right way.” Rifkin continues to return to Austin and ATA to support the Shootout, ATA’s annual fundraising event held each year in October.

CATA NAMES ATA COACH ‘2023 COACH OF THE YEAR’

The Capital Area Tennis Association named Ashley Weindhold its 2023 Coach of the Year. The awards were handed out during CATA’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.  Weinhold was out of town during the event so her father, Guy Weinhold, accepted the award in her honor.

CATA holds the event each year to recognize those in the Austin area who make invaluable contributions to the sport as well as the organization both on and off the court.

ATA COLLEGE PREP INDUCTS INAUGURAL NHS MEMBERS

2023 marks the inaugural year of the ATA College Prep Chapter of the National Honor Society, and with that comes the induction of its first and founding members. The National Honor Society is one of the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized co-curricular student organizations in American high schools.

The induction ceremony will recognize eight students as founding members of ATA College Prep’s NHS Chapter, joining more than 1.4 million students across the country who are members of the NHS. ATA College Prep NHS inductees include: Cole Kilian, Fate MacAlasdair, Michael Malyshev, Aya Manning, Marcus McWilliams, Riley Mueller, Caiden Riebold, and Jonathan Seder.

Membership in local NHS chapters, such as ATA College Prep, is an honor bestowed upon a student by a Faculty Council and is based on the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.

The purpose the NHS is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools.

 

ATA PLAYER’S STORY FEATURED IN ON-LINE ARTICLE

Every year, the Austin Tennis Academy sends quite a few of its players on to play collegiate tennis. That’s an incredible accomplishment, especially when you consider there are more than 160-thousand teenagers nationwide competing at the high school level and only about 20-thousand spots available on teams across all levels of college tennis.  One of ATA’s seniors who found a way to make his dream of playing college tennis a reality is featured this month on Tennis Recruiting Network.

In fact, Tucker Taylor’s story is what inspired the writer to do a feature on him and his college choice for the website dedicated to the recruiting of junior tennis players. Back in September, Taylor committed to play for Roger Williams University and was interviewed by Rhiannon Potkey about his decision. Potkey said she had not done a story on Roger Williams before, and following her interview with Taylor, decided to showcase Taylor to help prove to other players that there are so many different options/opportunities for playing college tennis.

If looking only at the numbers, the odds about being able to play college tennis can feel overwhelming for junior tennis players. However, Potkey’s article on Taylor drives home the idea that there is a place for all different types players.  The key: being willing to go down the road less traveled in order to find your perfect destination.

CLICK HERE TO READ TAYLOR’S ARTICLE ON TENNISRECRUTING

KENNA ERICKSON SIGNS WITH LSU

Austin Tennis Academy and ATA College Prep will soon be sending off one of their youngest players ever to attend college. That send off for Kenna Erickson begins with her Signing Ceremony, which are seen as a rite of passage for players moving out of juniors and into collegiate competition.

You’re invited to be part of the celebration happening the evening of Thursday, October 16.  The signing ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM on Court 6 at Austin Tennis Academy. These ceremonies are special not only for the named player, but also inspirational for other players in the Academy as well as the entire ATA community.

Erickson will be 16 years old when she graduates in December from ATA College Prep; then in January she will head to Baton Rouge to play D1 tennis on the Women’s team at Louisiana State University.

ATA HOSTS LITTLE MO NATIONALS

Courts at the Austin Tennis Academy will become busier than normal in a couple of weeks when junior players from all over the country arrive in town to compete in the 2023 Little Mo Nationals which has been held at ATA for more than two decades.

The top four yellow ball players (semifinalists) in each age division from each of the 4 qualifying regionals advance to the prestigious tournament.  ATA has two players who will be competing: Sarthak Ringe and Joey Wang.

ATA has a rich tradition of grooming players to compete at Little Mo Nationals.  Here’s a picture of a banner put on display during the tournament to commemorate some of those players.

Little Mo Nationals is a great time to watch some great junior tennis.  Opening ceremony takes place Friday, September 22 from 4-5 PM, then play begins Saturday (Sept 23) morning and runs through Monday (Sept 25) afternoon. Come on out to watch and support ATA players.

 

ATA AND COACH NEWMAN FEATURED ON AUSTIN TV PROGRAM

The Austin Tennis Academy and Coach Jack Newman were featured recently in an episode of American Dream TV Selling Texas which airs on KNVA, the CW channel in Austin.  The show showcases what they call ‘gems located in the hill country’ as well as homes for sale.

Here is the link to view the Tennis Academy in the Hill Country episode on ATA’s Vimeo Channel

ATA PLAYERS WIN GOLD AND BRONZE BALLS

ATA players continue to build a name for themselves on a national level with their ongoing victories at USTA L1 events. Over the weekend, Tristan Stine and his partner, Sibi Raja, won a ‘Gold Ball’ in B16 while Jack Ingram and his partner, Brendan Boland, won a ‘Bronze Ball’ in B18 at the National Doubles Championship held at the USTA campus in Florida.

“Tristan Stine continues to show that he is one of the best doubles players of his age in the country with his second ball this year. Fantastic performance and accomplishment,” said Coach Jack Newman, ATA Owner/CEO. Watching all the action court side in Florida was Stine’s primary coach Brian Notis. “Tristan and Sibi handled a tough draw early in the tournament and a very tricky team in the final with some great courage and clutch execution.”

Back in mid July, Stine and Raja won a ‘Silver Ball’ in B16 Doubles at the USTA Clay Court Nationals. Stine told Coach Notis that the last time (in July) they were so happy to be in the final and win a ball, but this time they were not satisfied with just being in the final… their job wasn’t complete. “Sibi and I really worked on staying loose and relaxed during the toughest moments to play our best,” said Tristan Stine. “‘Mistakes and pressure are inevitable; the secret to getting past them is to stay calm and relaxed’.”

In the 18s, Ingram and Boland battled hard from the very first round. “They saved 5 match points in the quarters with tremendous grit and courage.” said Coach Notis. “While they fell short in the semifinal to the eventual champions they bounced back to earn the bronze ball in a tough 3-set playoff match.” “We have worked very hard for this moment,” said Jack Ingram. “I think a quote summarizes my feelings; ‘After the hardest climb comes the best view’.”

The win in Florida adds a second USTA ball to Ingram’s trophy collection; he earned a silver at Winter Nationals with Christian Gonzalez in January. Coach Notis points out that Ingram and Boland have been to the quarters or better in every other L1 event this year.

While they didn’t win a USTA Ball, two other ATA players and their partners produced solid results: Ben Kotzen and Joe Patton won the Southeast Draw in B18, and Alexander Wriedt and Hayden Williams won the Southeast Draw in B16.

In all, 32 teams competed at the National Doubles Championship in each age group for both the girls and boys, which means only 64 players qualified from around the country to go head-to-head in each age group. “ATA was incredibly well represented at the national doubles event this year,” said Newman. “With nearly a dozen players competing and two balls won, that’s a great testament to the work put in all year by these competitors.” Also competing at the L1 event were Lila Fuller, Shaye Grant, Aya Manning, and William McEwan.

Wins at National Doubles by Stine and Ingram have now moved both players into the top 5 in the country on the latest national doubles seeding list: Jack ranks #2 in the country in B18 while Stine ranks #4 in the country in B16. “This past 12 months has seen ATA players bring home 4 USTA balls. This is an absolutely awesome result,” said Coach Newman. “Congrats to players, coaches and parents who combine to allow players the opportunity to shine.”

AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED FOR SHOOTOUT 2023

The Shootout is the Austin Tennis Academy’s annual fundraising event for AASF – Austin Athletics Scholarship Foundation – a 501(c)3 non-profit which supports junior tennis players and the pursuit of their dreams. At this point in our preparations for Shootout 2023, which is just under 3 months away, we’re looking for donations to go in both the Silent and Live Auctions. And that’s where we could use your help.
If you have an item to donate, such as tickets to a great event like a big sporting event or a concert, a week’s stay at your vacation home, a one-of-a-kind experience, a weekend getaway, or anything you think would make people want to bid in either the live or silent auction, please contact Kim Kurth at her email ~ media@austintennisacademy.com.
 

TEXAS BOUND IN 2023

Great news for junior tennis players in Texas after the United States Tennis Association made a big announcement regarding one of its annual events. The USTA boys and girls 12s and 14s Winter Nationals is coming to Texas. The L1 event will be hosted in San Antonio, starting December 28 and running through January 3.

The move to San Antonio comes, in part, thanks to the work of ATA’s Coach Brian Notis. For ATA players, it means no plane rides to get to the event, and they’ll get to compete on courts they are more familiar. You may remember, last year Jack Ingram brought home a Silver Ball in B18 Doubles at the Winter Nationals.

We are looking for a connection to H-E-B to help with sponsorship for this major event for 12s and 14s junior tennis players. If you have a connection to H-E-B, please contact Coach Jack Newman. Additionally, if anyone else is interested in supporting this event in San Antonio, please let us know.

ATA PLAYER CAPTURES COVETED ‘USTA BALL’

The USTA Clay Court Nationals is an L1 tennis event that junior players from all over the country must qualify for in order to compete. The annual championship consists of 128-player singles compass draw and 64-teams draw with no consolation at each of the four different age levels in both boys and girls play: 12’s, 14s’, 16s, and 18s. At this year’s Clay Court Nationals, ATA player Tristan Stine and his partner Sibi Raja advanced to the finals of the B16 Doubles, and brought home a ‘USTA Silver Ball’. “It feels pretty good,” said Stine. “Both me and my partner played very well all week. It was a grind of an event so I’m glad to have made the final.”

Sibi Raja and Tristan Stine

“I’m so proud of Tristan,” said Brian Notis, Stine’s primary coach. “Tristan and Sibi had a fantastic week, but a couple weeks ago we weren’t even sure if he would be healthy enough to compete this week. Tristan just got cleared by his doctor to hit backhands after fracturing his left elbow. I know he never felt 100{37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9} comfortable with his backhand this week and he didn’t have full confidence in the strength in his left arm, but it seemed to get better and better everyday. He fought through that adversity and nearly cramping after a 4-hour singles match in the 2nd round and competed great, was a fantastic partner, and was fearless all tournament. While the final was disappointing, he and Sibi have nothing to hold their heads down about. The level they brought in that final was simply
awesome.”

Stine fishing before Semis match

Stine’s biggest takeaways from the tournament may have helped him make it into the finals. “Hydrating and taking care of my body is key. The weather was brutal and the only way to play 100 percent was to make sure I was treating my body well.” One of the ways Stine found to treat his body, and mind, well was to go fishing ~ even just hours before both his semis and finals matches.

One of the messages junior tennis players hear over and over again at
Austin Tennis Academy is that you’ve got to practice the way you want to play in tournaments. Coach Jack Newman, ATA Owner/CEO, says he’s seen that kind of focus from Stine all year long. “Tristan Stine has been one of the most talented players at the Austin Tennis Academy this year; his ball striking ability and athleticism set him apart from many other players.  However, to reach high levels of accomplishment, athletes must also cultivate work ethic, mental stamina and positive energy control.  Tristan’s improvement in those three areas gave him the opportunity to prove his talent.  I could not be prouder of the work he has done this year to earn this USTA Silver Ball.”
In fact, Stine hopes his summer will get even better saying he wants to “make another good run at Kalamazoo and bring the confidence I have in doubles to my singles game.” Hard Court Championships at Kalamazoo and San Diego begin in three weeks.

An interesting side note: Stine is one of two ATA players who work with Coach Notis as their primary coach who have earned a USTA Silver Ball so far in 2023. Jack Ingram earned his at the Winter Nationals in B18 Doubles.

OPENING DAY BRINGS MORE THAN A VICTORY FOR ATA PLAYER

Turning 17 couldn’t have turned out any sweeter for Elliot Wasserman while playing on opening day at the Boys 18 USTA Clay Court Championships in Florida. Not only did he break what he calls the birthday curse at Clay Nationals, but he won a third-set tiebreaker to upset the number six seed player, and he was named Baptist Health Boys 18 Player of the Day.

 “It feels nice. I broke the birthday curse,” said Wasserman, who lost on his birthday each of the past two years in the 16s National Clay Courts tournament in Palm Beach County. 

“Elliot Wasserman continues to be one of the hardest workers at the Austin Tennis Academy,” says Coach Jack Newman, Owner/CEO, Austin Tennis Academy. “His upset of a seed at clay courts is not surprising. He pays the price every day to be ready for that sort of opportunity.”

Click here to read the entire article written about Wasserman’s pressure-packed victory.

THAT’S A WRAP

The 2023 Texas Slam saw more than 50 ATA players battle it out on court in brutal heat during one of the biggest junior tournaments – nearly 1,000 players – in the country. Some were still competing on the very last day of The Slam. And ATA players brought home plenty of hardware from both on and off the court.

Here’s the list of ATA winners at the 2023 Texas Slam:

Aya Manning – Champion X 2 – G16s and G16 Doubles

Matthew Cizmarik – Finalist – B18s

Jack Ingram – Finalists – B18 Doubles

Joey Chang – 3rd Place – B12 Doubles

Kenna Erickson – 3rd Place – G18 Doubles

Elliot Wasserman – 3rd Place – B18s

Maddie Wasserman – 5th Place – G16s

Prior to the start of the tournament, the USTA Texas handed out its annual junior awards;
two ATA players were among the 10 recipients.

Kenna Erickson won the Maureen Connolly Brinker Award

Gavin Golod received the Paul Christian Sportsmanship Award

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE

Junior tennis players, parents, and coaches have worked hard all year, put their best foot forward, and now, the votes are in! It’s time to find out who’ll be taking home an Academy Award this year. The answer will be revealed at the 2023 End of Year Party coming up Thursday, May 25.

This annual tradition at the close of every school year takes place on the grounds at the Austin Tennis Academy. The evening of May 25th will kick off with dinner and drinks at 6:00 pm. Then, the Academy Awards program will start at 7:00 PM.

5 SENIORS TO GRADUATE FROM ATA COLLEGE PREP

Members of the graduating Class of 2023 will receive their high school diplomas coming up Wednesday, May 24. The five seniors include: Dakota Clark, Nico Jamison, Hannah Kinder, Katie King, and Ben Kotzen.

Commencement will take place on the grounds of the Austin Tennis Academy at 6800 Spanish Oaks Club Drive in Austin. Doors open at 6:00 PM for viewing of the senior tables with the graduation ceremony beginning at 6:30 PM. There will be a dessert reception immediately following the ceremony.

NEW CERTIFICATION ACHIEVED BY ATA’S STRINGER

Austin Tennis Academy’s Master Racquet Technician, Andrew Rohlfs is now an ERSA Certified Tour Stringer. This latest achievement means Rohlfs is now certified with all three major stringing organizations: USRSA(USA), GRSA (Global) and now ERSA (European).

Rohlfs is passionate about his craft and is consistently looking to build upon his skills. In 2021, he became one of fewer than 420 people worldwide certified as a Master Racquet Technician (MRT) by the United States Racquet & Stringers Association (USRSA).

Congratulations Andrew!

Photo Gallery

Take a look at some photos of the students on the court and in the classroom!

Find Us at
  • 6800 Spanish Oaks Club Blvd. Austin, Texas 78738
  • Just west of the Hill Country Galleria on Hwy 71 past 620, across from McCoy’s
Contact
  • deb.cahill@AustinTennisAcademy.com
  • +1 512.276.2271
  • +1 512.276.2272
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