At our club, we think of tennis as an indoor game, but in reality, most tennis matches are played outside. The question of how to transition to outdoor tennis comes up every year. I talked to Eric Nelson, Adult Tennis Coordinator, 
about how to adjust to wind, sun, and other distractions of outdoor tennis.
Spring has arrived and the great outdoors is waiting to welcome you with blue skies, swirling winds, and honking horns. How are you supposed to adjust to all of those obstacles?
I’m not going to lie to you; it’s going to be ugly the first few times you step outdoors. The sky will swallow every high ball. The winds will make the ball dance like Baryshnikov. Just remember that your opponent is playing in exactly the same conditions, so don’t panic. Patience and practice will help you overcome your fears and hesitations.
Here are a few tips to handle the elements while playing outdoor tennis:
Be patient and aware at all times of any changes in the elements. If you make better adjustments than your opponent, you have a great chance of taking the “W” in the end.
As a front desk associate and avid tennis player I knew the basics of Tennis in No Time, our 3-week program that teachers beginners how to play tennis. Over 100,000 people have participated throughout all of our clubs since the program began in 1970, which explains why so many of the Midtown tennis players I meet have come through the program.
Just last month all associates were invited on court to experience a TNT class. It was fun to share our love of tennis with the all associates. It was also great to hear the comments about how tired they were and what a good workout they were getting!
Gone are the days of using a single tennis ball to teach students the game. TNT uses five kinds of balls – foam, red felt, orange transition, green dot and yellow balls, and all of them are regulation. The court is also shortened in the beginning before transitioning back to a full court.
The best part about TNT is that not only do you learn to play tennis, but you also meet lots of new friends. Apart from the 6 sessions there is an orientation, a Cardio Tennis Party, a mixer on the first and third Fridays of the program, and supervised hitting practice, all within three weeks. The majority of people who take TNT continue on to play in leagues and team tennis within a year. Many people who take TNT together are still playing together 1-to-2 years later. One of our associates, Susan, started in TNT and developed a friendship there which has led to a 9-year fixed partnership.
Our pros will teach you all the basics, including the serve, forehand, backhand and net play for singles and doubles. They are energetic and full of enthusiasm ensuring a fun time for all. If you’re not a member and take TNT, you will have access to all the club facilities, and most importantly the free practice lanes.
Check out the TNT page on our website or stop by the front desk for more information on class times and the registration form.
If you want to learn to play tennis, meet new friends and have a great time TNT is for you! Classes start May 5.
Front desk associate 
Shari Hockenbery is a tennis player. Tennis runs in Shari’s blood. She’s taught at John Newcombe tennis camps and more recently on a USTA team that competed at Nationals.
But there is more to Shari than tennis.
Shari has become an avid runner.
I recently sat down with Shari to learn what inspired her move off the courts and onto the pavement.
Marichi: Why did you take up running?
Shari: Running is therapy for my soul, my alone time, my break from reality. It’s also great endurance training for tennis. I also have a weight-training class with personal trainer Dylan and the girls, which is great for leg and core strength. It’s a win-win for heart health, physical health, and overall conditioning too.
Yes, I’m a better tennis player because of all the cross-training. But you know what? Running is great for emotional health, too.
Marichi: How are the two sports different for you?
Shari: Unlike tennis, which is a roller coaster of joy and frustration, there is no “loser” in running. Life for me right now is like the 16th mile of the New York City Marathon (my favorite race of all time): one mile straight uphill on the Queensboro Bridge! Since the year 2000, I’ve run three full marathons, 14 half-marathons, and countless shorter races. Not one time, in any of those races, did running ever fail to lift my spirits.
Marichi: Which particular race has been your most memorable so far?
Shari: I doubt that any race can beat the perfection of the NYC Marathon for me. I ran it surrounded by some of my best friends, on my 50th birthday, celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary, and both my boys were there to watch the race and hug me at the finish. Some things you just can’t top!
Marichi: What’s next for you?
Shari: I’m looking forward to another year of running. The Ragnar Relay in Key West is this weekend, and the Lincoln Marathon in May. I keep hoping that I’ll get to the top of that uphill climb and not only be a better athlete but also a better person, too.
Thanks, Shari! Good luck this weekend.
New to exercise? A seasoned fitness enthusiast? The new year is almost upon us, and there are plenty of ways your Midtown membership can contribute to a revitalized fitness routine.
New Equipment
Our fitness floor has recently received FreeMotion weights, specifically their top-of-the-line product,“The Epic.” The club now has 20 Keiser Bikes (for cycling classes) in the Cycle Studio, and a new Techno Gym in the function room. If you haven’t checked out this state-of-the-art equipment, please contact one of our personal trainers. They would be happy to take you through an orientation.
New Classes
For the group ex enthusiast, why not try something new? In addition to Yoga, Body Pump, and Zumba, we have Total Body Conditioning, Step, Cardio & Strength Conditioning, mat Pilates and Kickboxing. We have also introduced a Boot Camp in response to our members who enjoyed our “one off” group ex bootcamp over Thanksgiving.
Boot Camp takes places on Thursday nights at 5:30pm and Saturday mornings at 8:00am in the Group Ex room. You can expect a high-intensity, total-body workout. Most of the class will be without weights, using your body for pushups, lunges, squats, plyometrics and core work. We’d love to see you there. The more the merrier!
Crossing over from tennis to fitness? Slayton offers a tennis fitness class that combines the challenges of TRX and the tennis-specific footwork. This class not only improves your core strength, but also looks at balance and weight transference to help court mobility.
“New to You” Classes
Want to add some time in our pool? If you don’t like lane swimming how about trying our Aqua Fit class on Wednesday nights? You can bring the kids to the pool during family swim times on Fridays and Sundays. Our heated pool will be just the place to escape our winters and remind us of the summer that is coming.
Are you a fitness person wanting to try tennis? We have a cardio tennis class just for you. Jump Start Cardio is an intro-level tennis cardio class to get you moving to music on the tennis court! Once you start, you will be hooked and ready for either Cardio Tennis or Game Building Cardio Tennis. Both are set to music. Cardio Tennis uses transition balls and Game Building will use yellow balls. Did you know an average female will burn 400 – 600 calories per hour and a male 600 – 800 calories per hour? These are both great workouts!
The New Year is a time when many of us make resolutions about our overall fitness and wellbeing but, let’s face it, often times these fall by the wayside by the end of January! Trying something new is a good way to maintain the interest and keep going with your resolutions!
Please try one of our new classes and Happy New Year!
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy good company, great meals, and generally relax for a few days.
However, lots of food and relaxation are not particularly conducive to working out and staying fit! So, what can you do to stay on track with your fitness goals during the festive season?
We have special classes on Thursday and Friday, a Fit Tip, and a chance to give.
Thanksgiving Day 11/24/11
We are open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. However, the Nursery and Snack Bar are closed. Try the new fitness machines, play some tennis with the family, or swim a few laps before sitting down to lunch/dinner.
Want to get your pre-caloric burn on in a class? Here’s what we’re offering on Thanksgiving Day:
Fit Friday 11/25/11
We are open 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Nursery 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, and Snack Bar 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
We also have a couple of specials for the day after Thanksgiving: Turkey-Busting Boot Camp for adults and Junior Thanksgiving Camp.
Turkey-Busting Boot Camp 9:00 am – 11:00 am is complimentary to members and guests.
Drill Sergeants Briggs, Rous, and Hannan have prepared a post-Thanksgiving Boot Camp guaranteed to work off those pounds and stay ahead of the game. Sergeant Wiedenfeld will be conducting a Cardio Tennis station for a fun new way to burn Thursday’s casserole calories.
Kids need something to do? Junior Thanksgiving Camp runs from 9:00 – 11:30 am providing tennis, fitness, and lots of fun and games, open to all ages and levels.
For adults on the tennis side we are running:
Here are a few tips that may help you be a little kinder to your bodies over the holiday season from personal trainer Jessica Porter:
Finally, the holidays are also a time of giving.
Midtown is collecting used racquets for the Stephanie Waterman Tennis Foundation. There is a drop-off box at the club for outgrown and unwanted racquets, which will help the foundation’s mission to help at-risk and/or economically disadvantaged children to have a better future through learning to play tennis. You can clear the clutter and help a child. The drop- off box will be available until December 19, 2011.
With our schedule back to normal for Saturday and Sunday, we hope to see you at Midtown sometime over the holiday weekend. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
How are you burning calories over the long holiday weekend?
At age 31, Petra Rampre is playing some of the best tennis of her life. I had the chance to talk to Petra, a seasoned pro on the Ladies Tour, when she was in Kansas City for the Women’s Pro Tennis Classic.
How long have you been playing tennis?
Petra: I started playing tennis at 10 with my family and developed a love of the game. At 14, I moved to Germany by myself and then to the U.S. 13 years ago. I took every opportunity to play tennis and develop my game while spending 8 years in the Atlanta area and more recently in Florida.
What is your typical day like?
Petra: I have tennis practice twice a day at the Club Med Tennis Academy. I include weights as well as running and sprints for training. I follow Vipassana Meditation, where I focus on the connection between the mind and the body. It helps me both on and off the court. With any free time I have I like to go hiking (especially high altitude hikes), biking, basketball, swimming, and watching movies.
At tournaments my day is determined by when and how long my match is. I like to do fitness as well at tournaments. I hit balls for 2 to 3 hours then do 30 minutes of core and quick feet drills, and I jump rope. Then if I have a long match, I just cool down and do stretching. At 31 and playing consistently, I need to stretch often and get the occasional massage.
What is it like on the tour?
Petra: I like tournaments a lot. I am able to travel and have a chance to catch up with old friends (or rivals) and meet new ones. The hardest part is being alone. I don’t have a traveling coach with me. With no one for support and guidance it can be tough on and off the court. At some tournaments I am lucky enough to stay with a family; it is nice to live “a normal life” for a few days.
What is your proudest moment on tour?
Petra: Attending the Wimbledon awards ceremony in 1998. When I reached the junior doubles final, the Duke and Duchess of Kent were watching.
How have you kept going?
Petra: I am consistent with my practice and training routine. Tennis gives me freedom, the ability to travel to different places and it puts food on my table. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for tennis.
What would you say to our aspiring juniors?
Petra: Be patient and persevere. Work on fitness because that is a great base. On court be positive, play in the moment. If you hit a bad shot let it go and move on. Never be content what’s “good enough.”
Any retirement plans?
Petra: No, not yet. 2011 has been a very good year, probably one of the best in last 15 years. I have been able to almost halve my ranking from 380 to 206. Highlights have been 2 wins, and I’ve been a finalist and a semifinalist. This year I was lucky enough to play in the US Open qualifying matches. I won my first match but lost the second, I was happy considering the last time I was playing in the US Open was 11 years ago.
Our season is long with 20-25 tournaments. It keeps us busy. Next year I am planning on going to the Australian Open qualifying matches and playing in more WTA events.
Thank you, Petra!
Our front desk associates are known for providing warm, welcoming smiles, remembering members’ names, and their readiness to help.
Greg Oborny has been working at the front desk for the past 21 years, long before we were Midtown Athletic Club. That is a lot of Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings.
Who is this guy behind the smile?
Greg serves as the principal of Regency Place Elementary in Olathe, Kansas, a school with a population of 586 students. He’s been known to answer the phone, “Midtown Racquet Club, may I help you?” while at school, something which greatly amuses his secretary!
An avid tennis player, Greg played the Thursday night men’s 4.0 singles league for nearly 18 years. At one point he had a two-year winning streak. (Thanks, Tim Smith, for stopping the insanity!). He is pictured here playing singles during USTA HOA District Championships 2010.
His tennis idol is Chris Evert, after whom he patterns his game and approach to life:
Attending the 2011 US Open was one of the most thrilling experiences of Greg’s life. He was able to see Roddick, Serena, Nadal, Fish, Ivanovic, Tipsaravic, Schiavone and lots of world-class doubles as well as junior players. Other than walking on the grounds of Wimbledon, the US Open was his first Grand Slam.
Greg says, “It was life-changing! Motivating! Inspiring! It makes you appreciate WHY you play the game.”
Greg is known for his fitness. Only his trainer (Slayton Rous) and tennis pro (Kevin Torline) know his weaknesses! Shhhhhhh! (Just make him volley or use that darn ab incline machine where the blood rushes to the head!)
If he’s not working out, playing tennis, working late at school, or working the Midtown front desk, you might find him practicing music as he’s a church organist/pianist. If it is Wednesday night or Saturday morning, be sure to stop by and say hi to Greg!
Lines?
What lines?
If you’ve played tennis here since the beginning of August you have probably seen faint blue lines on the courts (if you haven’t seen them, be sure to look now!).
If you look hard enough the lines themselves look a little like marks left by sticky tape, but they are much more important than that.
These lines are marking out the short courts for junior tennis as part of the new USTA initiative to help the Junior Development program. The Junior Development program has been successfully running at our club for the past 6 years using QST methodology, also used throughout the other Midtown clubs across the country.
Why do we need these extra lines?
Tennis is a game for life, but it can be difficult to learn for kids 10 and under, especially when they are starting out on a full-sized court with regular tennis balls.
What is the methodology behind the “Quick Start” format, also known as “10 and Under Tennis“?
This summer USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Heart of America used the Quick Start format for their under 10 players. The duels between other local clubs were based on both doubles and singles play with 4 game sets, best of 3 sets with a tie break in the event of the first 2 sets being split.
The exciting news is Midtown’s JTT team recently became the 10 and under Heart of America District Championsplaying this format! Congratulations to: Sam Rydberg-Cox, William Wang, Owen Vander Ark, Hannah Tadros, Payton Carlson, and Lauren Reddin!
JTT is awesome for our kids many of whom are multi-sport athletes. This approach gives them a great introduction to the world of competitive tennis. Tennis is often an individual sport and being able to play it in a team setting provides great social interaction too. By next summer we will have at least 2 teams, as well as an “8 and under” team playing on the red court (36 foot court with a red ball).
The team also demonstrated their skills on the 60 ft court at a KC Explorers match this summer, in front of 1,500 people and under bright lights!
To make the most of this new idea, our tennis pros have been to Chicago for training to ensure we are making best use of the technology. So the next time you walk on court, or are staring at that ball from your opponent to see if it really was out, take a look at the “blended lines” that are now on all courts – they are there to help our juniors develop into great tennis players!
Want to sign up your child for lessons in our top-rated Junior Development Program?
Check out the schedule on our home page.
Is your child taking tennis lessons at the club? What do you think of the program?
It is hard for new members to get a grasp of all the things that Midtown offers, but there are also things that long-time members might not know as well. My curiosity led me on a quest to find out our best-kept secrets.MORE
