Richmond Tennis Association

Richmond Tennis Championships Are Here -- by Charles Tilley

The Davenport & Company Richmond Age Division Tennis Championships are set to begin on June 27, and will continue through July 2. The tournament will take place on the clay of Willow Oaks Country Club and features fourteen separate divisions. The Women's 40 Doubles is the only female division being contested, so the majority of the court time will be taken by the men's draws. There are several strong players in this year's field. The singles seeds include: Ricardo Ribera (1) and Clint Green (2) for Men's 35s, Carlos Allen (1) for Men's 40s, Wayne Motley (1) for Men's 45s, Hoppy Shores (1) for Men's 50s, Christopher Blair (1) for Men's 55s, Everett Worthington (1) and Rusty Whitaker (2) for Men's 60s, and James Robertson (1) for Men's 65s.

Also, several teams are seeded for doubles: Christopher Blair-Greg Williams (1) for Men's 55s, Stokes Grymes-Anthony Maddra (1) and Alan Harrell-Ron Via (2) for Men's 60s, and Alan Harrell-Ron Via (1) for Men's 65s. The play is sure to be of high quality for this event. Also, spectators are both expected and encouraged.

ramsey smith and emma carl College Coaches Come to Town

by Charles Tilley

6/26/09 - Willow Oaks Country Club hosted the College Week Tennis Camp this past week, June 22-26. Cris Robinson, the chief coordinator of the event and head pro at Willow Oaks, was overjoyed at the large turnout and high level of tennis being exhibited by junior players from local clubs and the Mid-Atlantic region at large. Read more

Left: Ramsey Smith, coach at Duke University, led the Blue Devils to a top 20 national ranking and is posing with up-and-coming junior player Emma Carl.

Become an RTA Member Today!

Your membership in the Richmond Tennis Association brings you great tennis, wonderful community programs, and a stake in the sport's growing future here in the Richmond community. Use our secure online registration system to join now!

Calendar

July 11: USTA-MAS McDonald's MEN'S and WOMEN'S OPEN CLAY COURT $30,000 CHAMPIONSHIPS - VOS Tournament [REGISTER]

July 27: Raintree Summer Slam (Raintree) [REGISTER]

Richmond Tennis Association 2009 Board of Directors

Hugh Waters, President Fred Bruner, Past-President Eric Perkins, Vice President Kim Brewer, Secretary Jay Nelson, Treasurer Sheri Crowell, Administrator Mark Bernstine Kathleen Bowles Bryan Bostic Matt Campbell Dan Carey Lisa Deane Charles Einwick	Kirsten Elim Jeff Ellick Tom Hood Tom Hopkins PJ Mahoney Charlie Palmer Eddie Parker Pat Perry Bridget Reichert Kerri Rhodes Victor Rizzi Cris Robinson Damian Sancilio Mark Seidenberg Ginny Wortham

Advisory Board

Alex Alexander Bill Barnes Tom Chewning Lou Einwick Joe Grover Ward Hamilton Pat Perry Patty Smith Paddi Valentine Waters Marcus Weinstein

What's the Call?

July 2009 Edition

Question: Player A attempts to hit a ball during a point but the ball appears to bounce down and strike Player A's end of the court before crossing the net. Player A and Player B disagree on which side of the net the ball first bounced. Whose call is it?

Answer: In this scenario, it is Player B's call. Section 21 of the Code provides, in relevant part, that "a player shall make the ruling on a ball that the player's opponent hits into the ground before it goes over the net."

Got a question about the rules of tennis? Think you've been "greased" by your opponent during a match and just can't sleep until the issue is resolved? Go ahead and submit your question to "What's the Call?" at eric@richmondtennis.org. Sample questions and answers will be posted monthly.

Richmond Tennis Association Wants You!

If you were a member of the Richmond Tennis Association:

The Richmond area could attract world class tennis events.
A tennis center could be built to host USTA and junior events.
We could change lives by introducing more kids and adults in our community to the game of tennis.
Richmonds tennis future could be even brighter than its great tennis history.
Read more »

BECOME A MEMBER: Memberships are a major source of our operating funds. Please support the RTA and its work in the community. Join now!

Tennis Links

Tennis Topics

by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer

Despite slumping economy, McDonald's event gains sponsors
6/18/09 - The McDonald's Mid-Atlantic Open Clay Court Championships just keep getting bigger and better.

And that's exactly what Bill Barnes has in mind for the annual affair at Salisbury Country Club. Read more

Bernstine nips King in boys 12 final of McDonald's Series tourney6/18/09 - The first McDonald's Junior Series tournament concluded today at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club, with the closest singles final occurring in the boys 12 division. Read more

Mills Godwin girls and boys take a dip after winning state team titles

Godwin Girls Tennis

5/30/09 - It was a nice day for swimming in the James River, and both the Mills Godwin girls and boys tennis teams took advantage of the nearby water on Saturday in Newport News.

They wouldn't have taken a dip, however, if they hadn't won the state Group AAA high-school team championships. But each of the Eagles' squads posted 5-2 victories at Huntington Park, allowing them to cool off in the wet stuff.

Read more and see photos.

See all Tennis Topics articles

usopen logo US Open Fantasy Trip Raffle Tickets Now on Sale

Support tennis in Richmond and take a chance on winning the best seats in the house for the Day Session on Sept. 5, 2009. Includes private behind-the-scenes guided tour; gourmet lunch with USTA leaders, tennis legends and dignitaries; round trip air fare and two nights' hotel accomodation for two, and much more!