“Talking Tennis Southern Style” wraps a five-year run with our traditional year-end highlight episode. In 2024, we interviewed a wide variety of tennis players, media, providers and organizers. Included are tennis pro Arianne Hartono, TV star Andrew Krasny, Atlanta media icon Karen Graham, USTA League innovator John Embree, Red Ball Tennis organize…

Ted Reese may be best known for running USTA Pro Circuit tournaments in his hometown of Cary, N.C. However, his profile grows next month as he moves into the role of USTA Southern President & CEO. He explains his plans for building on years of tennis growth with programs like Adult Red Ball Tennis played on small courts. He emphasizes the importanc…

L.E.A.D. is an Atlanta-based nonprofit whose mission is to use baseball and tennis to teach Black youth how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism. Kelli Stewart, wife of co-founder and former minor league baseball player C.J. Stewart, explains how the organization expanded into supporting tennis. Her da…

Coach Gregory Green has been a part of eighteen championships as a player and coach, earning him the name “The King of Rings.” In addition to coaching excellence in football with four SIAC Conference rings, he has brought glory to Tuskegee tennis with four SIAC Conference Tennis Championships, five-time SIAC Highest Team GPA for Men and Women and f…

In the second of a two-part series with John Embree, he recounts his pivotal role at Wilson, where he managed contracts for tennis legends including Pete Sampras, Chrissy Evert, Jim Courier, and others, and introduced the successful Wilson U.S. Open tennis ball. He discusses his leadership in developing innovative rackets like the Hammer and Pro St…

In the first of a two-part series, John Embree reminisces about working as the first head of the USTA League and the NTRP system governing all USTA League players 44 years later. He explained that the goal of having one system for all adult players was considered unreachable when it was first proposed. He added, “One of the attractions about the US…

When she headed up USTA Tennessee as President, Sara Barnett showed off her organizational skills. Now, Sara put together Open Tennis Fest events in her hometown of Jackson. She said they players like high-intensity competition and play of a special brand of the game of triples. Talk about new formats, Charles Allen is breaking all sorts of tennis …

Cameron Douthit excelled on the Georgia tennis courts and in the classroom. Ranked as high as No. 5 in his state’s junior ranking, Cameron won back-to-back individual state championships. Plus, he took nearly two dozen advanced placement courses at the Stratford Academy in Macon, Ga. He applauded his high school coach, Southern Tennis Hall of Famer…

John Hankinson’s travel with his University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Tennis On Campus team has already accumulated more miles than his years playing junior tournaments. He has played in numerous Southern TOC Championships and two National TOC Championships and heads up a massive contingent of players at Chapel Hill, where over 190 students h…

“Talking Tennis Southern Style” host Sam Crenshaw reconnected with a long-time friend and fellow TV journalist when he interviewed Karen Graham, a mainstay on Atlanta’s Fox 5. A three-time Emmy award winner, Karen co-founded Sign1News, which serves the Deaf community with captioned news and sports on its Sign1News.com website. She talks about learn…

In our second episode this month, that concentrates on college coaching, we spotlight Jamie Hunt, the third coach in UGA men’s tennis history, who starts in his new post this year. Jamie, who was a member of the 2007-08 Georgia champion teams, talks about the legacy of Dan Magill and his tutelage under Manny Diaz, both Southern Tennis Hall of Fame …

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Beckham, who shares his inspiring journey from college tennis player to head coach of the women’s team at his alma mater, the University of Louisville. Born and raised in Louisville, Mark reflects on the unique experience of coaching where he once played and the pride he feels representing his hometown. Coach …

The last Grand Slam of the year brings a New York vibe to tennis as the US Open begins. USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman, discusses the chances of Americans, including former Atlanta resident Coco Gauff repeating her 2023 success. Southerners Ben Shelton, Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul join a great USA contingent including Dani…

In this episode of Talking Tennis Southern Style, we’re joined by Gray Smith, a Board Member of the Winston-Salem Open and the North Carolina Tennis Foundation. Gray delves into North Carolina’s rich tennis history, highlighting the legendary players who have graced its courts, including Rod Laver, Cliff Richard, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jimmy C…

USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic Top 100 men and women are playing this week at the Cary (N.C.) Tennis Park with numerous community and charity events. We welcome Ted Reese, who volunteers in his leadership role as USTA Southern Executive Vice President. He takes time this week to talk about his dual USTA Pro Circuit tournaments…

Join us on the latest episode of "Talking Southern Style Tennis" as we sit down with Paul Pittman, Chair of the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force and Chair of the Major Gifts Committee for the Southern Tennis Foundation. In this episode, Paul shares insights into how the Southern Tennis Foundation is dedicated to growing the sport of tennis across …

USA players competing in the Paris Olympics Karen Pestaina of TennisPanorama.com discusses Tommy Paul, Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend and other American players at the Summer Olympics. “Playing the Olympics and playing for your country really energizes players,” says Karen Pestaina, founder and editor-in-chief of TennisPanorama.com. Karen highlights…

In this episode, we sit down with Patricia Jensen, mother of four former professional tennis players, including 1993 French Open men’s doubles champions Luke and Murphy Jensen. Patricia shares her unique insights and experiences from transporting four children playing junior tournaments, where she put over 100K miles on her car one summer, to watch…

Current Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs and former TD Eddie Gonzalez explain how the Atlanta Open became the premier event in the local summer sports scene. Known for many years as the BB&T Atlanta Open and the Truist Atlanta Open, the city’s ATP tournament put down anchor in 2012 at the iconic Atlantic Station with its breathtaking cityscape. G…

As the Georgia capital says farewell to its most important pro tennis tournament – the Atlanta Open – we chat with the first two tournament directors. Bill Oakes, USTA Southern’s Director, Marketing & Sales in 2010, helped bring the tournament to metro Atlanta. Bob Bryant ushered in its move to Atlantic Station. Both reminisce about the joys and ch…

In this episode, we welcome two special guests: John Isner, the six-time Atlanta Open champion, and Martin Blackman, the USTA General Manager of Player Development. John discusses his upcoming exhibition match with Andy Roddick against the Bryan brothers, shares his experiences as a player in the Atlanta Open, and gives his insights on the future o…

Amy Brandon has the Lake Norman, N.C., tennis community hitting red balls on short tennis courts. As a pioneer for adults in metro Charlotte, she started the ServeAces Mini-Tennis Brewery League, which has grown to more than 500 players from 64 players since 2016. The Lake Norman Tennis Association Executive Director’s efforts align with the expand…

Five years ago, at the age of 10, Lex Stolle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He began a years-long series of chemotherapy treatments at Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s in Atlanta. Now, his recovery includes tennis, a love he shares with his father. His talents in communication and inspiring hope in o…

No one can match Al Parker’s junior career … a national champion 25 times and ranked No. 1 in Boys’ 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s from 1981-86. He reminisces about playing at the University of Georgia, which hosted and won NCAA Championships in the 1980s. “We were definitely a force,” the four-time All-American said. He has been inducted into three Halls o…

Want to hear a behind-the-scenes perspective from a photo shoot with Frances Tiafoe and Aryna Sabalenka? Michelle Heidbrink of Tennis Warehouse talks about being on-site with the tennis stars and previewing new clothing a year in advance. She also recommends checking out the sleek designs of Naomi Osaka and Rafa Nadal shoes. Of course, the newest r…

Sheryl McAlister, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Development for USTA South Carolina, discusses their efforts in promoting tennis during National Tennis Month. She highlights their advocacy work, increased grant applications and the enthusiastic involvement of staff and volunteers. Sheryl also addresses challenges in providing quality pu…

USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman, discusses the growing crop of Americans showing their grit on the French Open’s terre battue. Among the players highlighted are Danielle Collins and Frances Tiafoe, along with Southerners Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Alycia Parks, Tommy Paul and Christopher Eubanks. Another hot topic is the Sum…

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Oakes, the former tournament director of the acclaimed ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Wake Forest University. Bill shares his thoughts on innovative tournament formats, the significance of college tennis, and reflects on the upcoming last year of the Atlanta Open, which he…

We applaud anyone playing tennis in a driveway. But, realistically, 99% of tennis is played on courts. Paul Pittman, the long-time dominant force of tennis in Florence, S.C., is now chairing USTA Southern’s push to protect and increase the number of our tennis courts. Pittman speaks to grassroots tennis advocates who are working to ensure that new …

In this episode, we chat with Bobby Reynolds, Auburn Men’s tennis head coach, a former No. 1 collegiate player at Vanderbilt and a former ATP player. He shares insights from coaching in the SEC and offers advice for aspiring players aiming for college and pro success, along with tips for competitive coaching. Reflecting on his pro tour days when he…

Join us for an insightful episode featuring Bob Willis, President of the Louisville (Ky.) Area 10 & Under Tennis Association. Willis will host a National Tennis Month “Bring A Friend” lesson on May 25 at Charlie Vettiner Park. He recounts last year’s experience with a successful NTM event. Don't miss out on Willis’s valuable tips and strategies for…

Kristie Flowers hosted a Cardio Tennis session during 2023 and plans more sessions next month during National Tennis Month (NTM). She gets people active at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center in Florence, S.C. Flowers has had as many 50 participants get their heart rates up. She cites USTA Southern Board Member Ernie James for promoting NTM …

How do you expand tennis in your state? A strategic focus of USTA is increasing the number of providers like parks and recreation departments, coaches, teachers, tournament directors and grassroots tennis associations. Tyler Strong is using his knowledge of Junior Team Tennis to make connections with coaches and facilities. A nearly 10-year veteran…

Andrew Krasny is best known for his post-match interviews on court for Tennis Channel. This week he is the host and emcee of Credit One Charleston Open, a tournament he considers among the best in the world for featuring the brightest women’s stars in the game. Over his storied career, Krasny has been one of the faces you've seen at Indian Wells, t…

Arianne Hartono, a Dutch professional tennis player ranked No. 140 in WTA singles, made history at the University of Mississippi by winning the 2018 NCAA Women's Singles Tennis Championship, the first Dutch player to do so. She also received the 2018 Honda Sports Award for top female collegiate tennis player. Hartono is engaged to her coach Jason O…

Elizabeth Henderson’s life in tennis started by being No. 1 in numerous junior age levels in USTA Southern before being recognized as an All-American at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. She started her collegiate coaching odyssey at the University of North Carolina, followed by her first head coaching job at William & Mary. That led to a fo…

We chatted with John Cox, whose volunteer work covers many areas of tennis, including numerous posts in USTA Southern. Still, he has a soft spot for the students of Bayou Academy in Cleveland, Miss., where he began coaching the tennis team in 2017. His goal is to make tennis “cool” and get players on court and practicing. Winning two state titles a…

We talk with the 2023 USTA Southern Local League Coordinator of the Year Anna Martin. She is a veteran of more than 23 years of promoting and organizing USTA League, providing a rich history of tennis in Wilmington, N.C. She now supports nearly 200 adult recreational teams. Martin highlights the importance of playing against players with similar sk…

Interviewed are two podcasters: Chris Godby & Chad Young of the awarding-winning “Game Set Match Kentucky!” After more than four years of uploading a two-interview podcast every other Thursday, the new “Talking Tennis Southern Style” plans on showcasing a single interview every Tuesday or Wednesday. Chris Godby & Chad Young produce “Game Set Match …

George “Ged” Schwing was honored with the Slew Hester Male Player of the Year for top adult player. Schwing has been a member of Team Louisiana for the Callen Cup and served as a captain the last few years, along with competing on the winning Southern team at the 2022 Keith Donoff Cup. Ozaki-Hastings Junior Sportsmanship Award winner Ryan Cozad was…

With the number of tennis players growing in the last five years, more tennis courts are needed. While some courts are being converted to pickleball courts, the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force is enabling grassroots advocates to make the case for adding, and not reducing, the number of tennis courts. Former Board Member Paul Pittman chairs the ta…

It’s a new year and time for our Grand Slam correspondent to preview American and Southern players. USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman calls in from Down Under with high hopes for players with Georgia roots: Coco Gauff, Taylor Townsend, Ben Shelton & Christopher Eubanks. Yolanda “Yola” Ramírez Ochoa won mixed doubles and finis…

Finishing our fourth season, “Talking Tennis Southern Style” wraps up 2023 with compelling excerpts of eight of our favorite interviews. We are proud to highlight insightful conversations with these guests: Michelle Curry of the Althea Gibson CTA Tennis memorabilia collector and USTA Kentucky Past President Mike Eden USTA Chairman of the Board and …

Jane Preyer made her mark as an All-American at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill before succeeding in the WTA Tour. She reached No. 43 and defeated some top players including Evonne Goolagong. Later she took to coaching and led the Duke University women to four ACC championships. Keith Richardson is now inducted into his fifth hall of…

Marshall Happer headed the Men’s Tennis Council from 1981-89, making him the only unofficial commissioner of men’s professional tennis. He draws upon his extensive tennis background – including USTA Executive Director, USTA Southern President & CEO and Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee – in writing “Pioneers of the Game.” The 871-page history d…

Wheelchair tennis is booming and Zane Goodwin is riding the crest to the top of the game. The 16-year-old Birmingham, Ala., resident is the top junior wheelchair tennis player in the country and winner of the Cincinnati Wheelchair Open. Zane talks about his dedication to the sport while his mom, Lara Polk, describes how she loves traveling to tourn…

In a remarkable achievement, Manny Diaz, the veteran men's tennis coach at the University of Georgia, will be inducted into the prestigious Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, this January. Diaz reflects on his illustrious career, during which he achieved a remarkable SEC-record of 767 wins for the University of Georgia men's tennis team. He takes pride …

Tennis is the sport of a lifetime and a former Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Brian Finneran is now excited about playing and watching tennis. He was wowed by the speed and athleticism of pro tennis players at the Atlanta Open. Brian can be heard on air on 680 The Fan, an Atlanta sports radio station. Andrew Walker worked four years at USTA Kentucky …

Omar Alcaino has been at the helm of seven straight USTA Mississippi Junior Team Tennis champion teams including winning a Southern 10 & Under Intermediate title this year. Embracing his Chilean heritage, he reflects on his journey, which led him to excel as a Sun Belt singles champion at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and thrive as a dedi…

Talking Tennis Soutern Style promotes Hispanic Heritage Month. With almost twenty years of experience as a tennis teacher, Belén Gómez-Jordana founded the non-profit and NJTL United Tennis. In order to counter stereotypes, Gómez-Jordana created the Tennis for All program. She delivers group and individual classes at a very low cost. Gómez-Jordana v…