Davida Dinerman

Winning one senior USTA Level 1 National tennis tournament is a feat of both physical and mental prowess. It requires hours of dedicated practice, unwavering focus, and a competitive spirit. But what do you call it when you win all four surface nationals in one year? 

The Golden Slam.

Two women achieved this tremendous status in age-based women’s tournaments this year: Julie Thu in the 45s and Susan Wright in the 65s.  

I had the good fortune of speaking with each of these champions to hear about their approach to playing Level 1 tournaments, their training routines, and any other secrets to their success. 

Julie Thu: 45s

When I contacted Julie about writing this article she said "shoot... I wanted this to be under the radar."

Sorry, not sorry, kiddo. 

Winning all four National Level 1 tournaments on four different surfaces in the 45s in singles and doubles, plus earning Gold in the Team and Individual Singles at the ITF Masters World Championships in the 45s, is way too remarkable to be under the radar.

Certainly, Julie’s reaction bespeaks her. She is humble, unassuming and inclusive. 

“This was not something I set out to do at the start,” Julie said. “I wanted to play all four national Level 1 events not only as a representative of the NWTO, but also to challenge myself. I thought it would be fun to try. I simply tried to compete at my best in every match, and it all fell into place.”

She makes it sound easy.

Let’s review a few fun facts:

1. She had never played in a national tournament on grass or indoors before this year.

2. She played about 25-30 matches at the four tournaments in singles and doubles.

3. She played 11 singles matches total at the Team and Individual Worlds over two weeks.  

Julie had competed in the World team event before, but this was her first time getting the gold. Her main goal was the team event, and that is what she is most excited about. She figured if she was going to travel all the way to Japan, she might as well put her hat in the ring for the individual event. 

I asked Julie about her fitness. She said, “I am disciplined throughout the year and play regularly even if I do not have a tournament coming up. I also like to practice and play matches against different types of players to be ready for whatever comes my way.”

Here’s another interesting fun fact: in preparing for the different surfaces, Julie did not have access to clay, indoor or grass courts. She prepped ONLY on outdoor hard courts. She had to be creative as she trained. For example, to replicate a grass court strategy, she would practice an attacking chip-and-charge game style. Before the clay tourney, she would work more on spin, drop shots and consistency. 

Julie’s off-court regime includes weights and plyometrics. “Getting that fitness time is equally as important, but I will taper my weight training two weeks before an event.”

She also does not take long breaks from the sport. And this one might frustrate some readers…as she put it, “I don’t have a strict diet. I eat what I want because I exercise it off.”

What’s non-negotiable is hydration. Julie uses LMNT electrolytes (well that’s gonna fly off the shelves now). 

And let’s not forget the mental part of the game. Massively critical. And it is no surprise the “trick” is that she focused on the process and not the outcome. “I compartmentalize each match.” 

When Julie was 36, someone invited her to play in the clay courts in Houston. That was the only tournament she played for many years. Just three years ago, she added a second tournament. “And here I am playing all four,” she said, “It was a treat to do this. I am thankful for the NWTO, the USTA and ITF for fostering opportunities to play senior age-based tournaments.”

Will she attempt a two-peat, at least for the four Level 1s? Julie said, “At some point, with the time and energy, yes. It was a fun journey, and I hope to play all four in the same year again.”

Julie encourages others to enter even one tournament and set a goal. She said, “Even if it’s to win a set or a match. You never know where a tournament leads you individually. You might surprise yourself, as I did.”

Susan Wright: 65s

I was grateful that Susan Wright found some time to speak with me on short notice. She’s a busy lady. In addition to playing lots of tournaments every year, she teaches skin care as a Mary Kay sales director, a position she has held for the past 47 years. In 2019, she and her husband Tim moved to a community in Lake Nona near the USTA National Tennis Center in Orlando. 

This year, Susan won all four USTA National Level 1 singles titles in the 65s age division. And she was very close to adding gold across the board at the ITF Masters World Championships for mixed doubles, team and singles. She was a finalist in the individual singles tournament.  

At age eight, Susan hit her first tennis ball with Dennis Van Der Meer at the Berkeley Tennis Club, and he became her long-time coach. She had an enviable career as a junior, followed by a three-year stint on the WTA tour. On her 17th birthday, she had her most memorable win against the Aussie, Wendy Turnbull.  

Susan dabbled in tournaments after that, then dropped the game entirely for 25 years. She started playing again with her father after moving to Colorado in 2000 and has not looked back. Susan has won countless singles and doubles gold balls and has sat comfortably in the top spot in nearly every age group. She has also won the Golden Slam in doubles a handful of times. But this year was the first time she won the coveted Golden Slam in singles.  

Susan is a regular at Level 1 National tournaments. Last year, she won three of them, but the Worlds team competition overlapped with hardcourts. In 2022, she won the last three of the Level 1s. In fact, as of this writing, she has won the last 10 National tournaments that she has played. 

“I came close to the singles sweep 10 years ago,” said Susan. 

Susan grew up in California playing on hard courts, and she has fond memories of playing the father/daughter tournament on grass at Longwood. “The clay surface was always a struggle for me and was that missing puzzle piece,” she added. “Logging more hours on clay boosted her confidence and her chances against rivals on that surface.

Growing up, Susan did not play a lot of sports. Just tennis. For a woman who is always on the go, I was pleasantly surprised when I asked about her keys to success. Her secret?

“Don't overdo.”

Susan knows how to pace herself. But make no mistake, she’s laser-focused. With the Golden Slam within reach, she gave up on social events over the summer. As she put it, “I stayed in my lane. It is a long time between July (grass) and the end of October (outdoor hard). I made a map and kept to it.”

When she clinched the finals of the clay, “I walked off relieved and ready for next year,” she said. 

As glorious as it might sound to travel to different places for tournaments, it can also be difficult to have a routine. It takes discipline to get off a plane and find practice courts and partners, make sure to get the right nutrition and enough sleep and be ready whenever you’re called to play. And to sustain energy if there are rain delays. Over the years, Susan has learned a lot about the process, which makes it easier and more comfortable so she can focus on her matches. 

“I love to compete and have goals. I have a great balance with my Mary Kay work and friends. It keeps me in shape. If I know I can stay on the court for three + hours, I’m in good condition and will keep doing this.” 

Julie and Susan, NWTO nation is super proud of you!