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Member News Julie Thu Member News Julie Thu

Member Spotlight: Sheila Weinstock

Our Member Spotlight this month is Sheila Weinstock. The midget baseball team of Lancaster, Pa., lost out big in 1952. And it wasn’t the boys’ fault. They wanted then-11-year-old Sheila Allison on their team. She practiced with them at the field across from her family’s home. She was their best pitcher. Unfortunately, the team’s board decided that if Sheila were on the team “the boys would consider it a sissy sport.” …

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Member News Julie Thu Member News Julie Thu

(New) Member Spotlight: Sarah Flood

Our Member Spotlight this month is Sarah Flood. A new member of NWTO, Sarah has had a lifelong passion for the sport of tennis. In many ways, it has been her saving grace. Life has thrown her many curveballs and seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way, yet she has always sought to find the joy in life – and tennis has been a big part of that…

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Julie Thu Julie Thu

TENNIS TIP: The Slice Backhand

The backhand slice is one of my favorite shots because of the different ways it can be used in a point and how it can disrupt your opponent’s game. …

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Tournament News Julie Thu Tournament News Julie Thu

Tournament Recap: Level 1 USTA National Hard Courts

The La Jolla 50s Nationals started with overcast skies but beautiful temperatures for tennis. Every time I come to one of the national tournaments, I say to myself: “It’s always amazing to see these women.” It’s great to not only reconnect with women I played with in juniors and college, but also to make new friends and acquaintances. It’s truly an honor to be here at La Jolla with multiple generations who have wonderful stories and experiences to share…

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Health & Wellness Young Ju, Ph.D. Health & Wellness Young Ju, Ph.D.

Are Energy Drinks Right for Tennis Players?

You have probably heard of one or more of the following: Monster Energy, Red Bull, Alani Nu, Celsius, Rockstar Energy, Bang Energy, and Ghost. These energy drinks are widely consumed to enhance energy, alertness, and physical performance. Let’s look at what’s in them and how they could affect tennis performance and training…

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Tournament News Julie Thu Tournament News Julie Thu

Tournament Recap: USTA National Indoor Championships

The 2023 USTA National Indoor Championship was played at one of the premier indoor court facilities in the U.S. With 15 indoor courts and viewing of all courts, the setting was ideal whether playing or watching. As I start to write this article, it is the second day of the tournament and it is pouring rain outside. We do not have to hole up in our hotel rooms or contemplate shortened formats. The play goes on…a prime benefit of indoor play, along with no need for sunglasses or sunscreen…

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Julie Thu Julie Thu

Member Spotlight: Mia Vaughnes

“Who are you? Write it down,” she recounted God telling her. “‘I’m a tennis player.’”

Our Member Spotlight this month is Mia Vaughnes. It may have taken 14 years, but Mia would eventually rekindle her tennis game in an unexpected way.

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Community Julie Thu Community Julie Thu

ACEing Autism - Connecting Kids Through Tennis

As you enter the tennis courts, you can hear cheers, high-fives, and much laughter. That is the environment ACEing Autism strives to create during all its clinics. ACEing Autism is a nonprofit organization which provides affordable tennis programming nationwide for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)…

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Tournament News Julie Thu Tournament News Julie Thu

Tournament Recap: Westwood Senior Championships

The Westwood Senior Championships is a Level 2 tournament that is traditionally held over the Labor Day Weekend in Austin Texas.

The Westwood Country club is located in an idyllic setting adjacent to a nature preserve with stunning views of the Colorado River. Wild peacocks occasionally roam the grounds. Majestic oak trees provide ample shade and the sight lines for spectators are very good on most courts…

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Brandi Bratek Brandi Bratek

Cleaning up Communication on the Doubles Court

Doubles teams thrive or barely survive based on the quality of their communication. We have figured out how to successfully communicate in our marriage and that skill has translated to the court…

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Julie Thu Julie Thu

Tennis: It’s In the Bag

I was on a quest during the National Senior Women's Clay Court Championships in March. Knowing that the National Women's Tennis Organization (NWTO) was planning a forthcoming issue centered around spring cleaning was a great spark for conversation…

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Have an experience to
share with other members?

We want to hear from you in your own words about your tennis experience – whether it be a tournament, photos of you and your tennis buddies, or words of tennis wisdom. We look forward to hearing from you! Please submit to info@nwto.us.