Pickleball??? Hmmm!!!

Tennis Talk 

By Adrien Fournier 

PICKLEBALL!!! Hey, that outta rile a few people up, reading a Tenns Talk article that starts with the “P” word. Of course, most don’t feel that way because they’re often seen on both courts…and I’m one of them. It can be painful! Here’s my takeaways on playing both. 

1-The PB[Pickleball] court is too small. I get claustrophobic. Take a few steps and you’re into the fence. I’m currently pursuing mental health therapy to fix this. 

2- The PB balls. Holy Cow, YELLOW ??? Didn’t the PB powers know the color of tennis balls, or did they just think, “Oh well, it works for them?” Switching from the spacious tennis surface to the cage-like PB court I see tennis balls with holes in them, closer than they actually are, yet further to get to. Think about that a minute! 

Onix Pickleball Pure Outdoor Ball Yellow - Walmart.com

 

WHICH ONE IS BIGGER ???

3- I took a beginners class a couple of years ago. Nice fella! He points to the area a few feet either side of the net and says “That’s the kitchen” Needless to say, my eyebrow (the left one) raised a fair bit. I asked, “Where’s the stove and fridge, or is this some kind of a modern kitchen?” Turns out, on the smallest darn court in the world, they designate a further area of restriction! I mean, come on! I’m hyperventilating. Multiple therapy sessions lie ahead. 

4- The people are nicer at the Pickleball courts. Oh, I kid. I only play PB with Tennis Players. 

Well, these we’re my thoughts when I first started playing PB. I did pursue therapy and after 31 sessions my demons were eradicated. Now, I’m at the envious position where I am working on both my Tennis and PB games and enjoying each muchly, and equally, with people in the know helping me out.  

See ya on the…ya know…courts’s! 

Sunday Tennis, aka; Trash Talk Sunday

By Betty Olsen for Publication 12/1/2023

If it is Sunday, you will find most of the people in the below photo on the courts between 8:30-10:30am.  Sunday morning tennis evolved from a Sunday group called Trash Talk Sunday.

 

Jay Desai has volunteered to organize a group of 60 or so players every Sunday.  He sends out an email invitation in the middle of the week and the first 24 who respond with several alternates get scheduled to play.  He tries to find new members to invite to play as this is a great opportunity for new members to become active.

The format is for everyone to choose cards from Jay which tells you what court you will be playing on.  Your partner will be a random choice of his picked card.  Therefore, you never know each week who your partners will be or who you will be playing against.  First match is a set.  The winners move up a court and change partners.  So, essentially this is a mixer every Sunday.

Speaking of mixers,  I hope you have taken the opportunity to mix with fellow tennis players and signed up for the Tennis Club’s Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 5:30pm.  It is also our 2nd club meeting of the year where we vote on 2024 club officers.

 

New Member Srini Srinivasan

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

Meet new Tennis Club member Srini Srinivasan who moved to the Villages last year from Atlanta, Georgia. Srini was born in Bombay, India, but came to the US for graduate studies in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated with a degree in computer science and immediately started his own software company.

Srini Srinivasan

Srini met and married Padma, a girl from India living in Dallas, Texas and settled down in Atlanta, Georgia. They have two children, a boy and a girl. Their son graduated from UCLA Medical School this year and presently started his ER residency at Johns Hopkins. Their daughter graduated from USC as a business major and is working for Spotify.

Srini has 3 sisters and 1 brother and growing up was involved in any sport with a ball. He plays tennis, pickleball and table tennis and would play basketball if we had a court.

While their 2 children were in college in California, they would make many trips west to visit, so became familiar with California’s many attractions. They especially like the outdoors and spend most weekends exploring hiking and wine tasting trips. Srini said they almost rented a house in Silver Creek, but when they drove into the Villages and saw both the tennis courts and pickleball courts full of active people, they were sold. So welcome Srini and Padma to the Villages.

VTL Wrap & Other Goodies

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

It has been a busy fall for the Villages Tennis Club. Roy Pennington, Peggy Seidel and Jim Murphy organized our second VTL (Village Tennis League) for October and November. There are 4 teams captained by Jim Murphy, Roy Pennington, Sherry Benz and Betty Olsen.

The final match for each team is on Sunday, November 12 at 1:30pm. All 4 teams will be playing, so come down to see your fellow tennis members play their final match.

A celebration party is planned for after the last match on Sunday, November 12 which should be around 3:00pm. Bring something to share.

At the same time…September, October and November…the Villages Women’s USTA 6.5 team played their last match on Tuesday, November 2. Again, we almost came away with a win. Sherry Benz and Lolivic Shaw won in a 3rd set tie-break and Joy Rem and Betty Olsen lost in a 3rd set tie-break 10-8. However, we do have one distinctive win over the number 1 team.

It is now time to embrace the holidays. You don’t want to miss our Tennis Club Holiday party on Sunday, December 3 at the clubhouse. Linda Dumont and her committee is planning a special holiday dinner and dance. Stay tuned for future announcements with details and how to make your reservations but put this date on your calendar now!

Signup for Holiday Party, HERE!

Villages Beats Rossmoor

By Sherry Benz & Ruth Liu for Publication 11/3/2023 Villages Tennis Club vs Rossmoor The plaque is back!  The Villages and Rossmoor Tennis Clubs have challenged each other for decades and the prized trophy plaque has changed hands frequently (although the Villages holds an edge!).   In April, we traveled to Rossmoor and lost in a very close battle.  On October 21st, we hosted Rossmoor with one thing in mind:  bringing the plaque home!

 The weather was perfect.  Competition was awesome.  If you were in attendance, you witnessed incredible tennis play.  We are proud to report that the “Winner’s Plaque” stays with us.  We won 20-4!  Congratulations to the one married team:  The Fergusons:  Jim & Wendy … still a great team after all these years!
After all the sweat, aches, and joy of winning, we were able to share lunch with everyone in attendance.  Thank you, tennis players, for your athletic contribution and winning spirit.  Thank you, Linda DuMont and your hospitality team, for doing a great job preparing breakfast and lunch.  Thank you to Glenn Seidel and Robert Diaz for manning the BBQ.  Thank you to all the volunteers who made everyone feel welcomed.  Thank you to the cheerleaders for your support.  Thank you, Ruth Liu, for organizing the event.  At the end of the day, no matter what the outcome, friendships were made, competition was fierce, and the tradition of this tournament will continue on to next year.

 

2024 Slate of O’s…sounds important!

By Peggy Siedel for Publication 10/27/2023

2024 Slate of Officers

In accordance with the Tennis Club bylaws, the nominating committee appointed by President Randy Shaw would like to present this slate of officers for the year 2024:

President: Ruth Domingo-Liu
Vice President: Gene MarianiSecretary: Roy PenningtonTreasurer: Tina Parsley

Hospitality Directors: Nancy Domingo and Andrea Alvarez (1 vote by either) Communications Director: Don ClarkeMembership Director: Cheryl DiltzCourt Manager: Marty Funcell

Master Scheduler: Akiko Giordono

Tournament Director: Karen Hillis

These candidates will be voted upon at our Annual Meeting to be held in the VGCC Clubhouse on Sunday evening December 3, 2023.

Previously elected board member is past president Randy Shaw.

To reach a total of 13 voting members on the board, 2 Members-at-Large will be appointed by Ruth as president-elect. They will be selected before the first meeting of the board on the fourth Tuesday of January, 2024.

Nominating Committee: Peggy Seidel, Akiko Giordono, and Brian Dombrowski

Across The Net From Brett Foreman

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Brett.jpgHello Villagers,
I hope this finds you well. Today’s Topic is how to be best prepared for a tennis match.

With the start of our Villages Tennis League and Rossmore approaching, here are some easy suggestions to help you with Better Match Play.

All matches start 24 – 48 hours before game day
1. Hydration with electrolytes to prevent Dehydration and potential cramping
2. Eat healthy – carbohydrates,protiens , and vegetables. I.e. – pasta,chicken,fish and vegetables.
3. Sleep- get lots of rest!

Match Day -Dynamic Stretches to help Prevent Injuries
• Fast Feet over line
• Side Shuffles
• Gental Body Twists – Helicopters
• Arm Circles – Forwards and Backwards
• Leg Lunges
• Jumping Jacks
* Each exercise do 10 – 15 repetitions
To complete your warmup finish with a light jog

On Court
1. Juggle Drill with Partner – toss and catch 10 – 15 times repeat with shuffle go slow!
2. Dribble Ball Down 15 times Repeat with Ups and Alternating
3. Service Box warm up with partner – Two Touch – bump ball and send (important! Both players to count each touch this is to help focus and readiness)
4. Rally short court 10-15 reps
5. Rally – Volley 10-15 times! (1 Up 1 Back Alternate Baseline player to feed some overheads
6. Rally Both back –half court – Cross Court 10 –15 times each
7. Serve and Return (Serve + 1) both players are to practice serve and recover with return 3 shots this will prevent – Serve and Observe!

Ready For Play !!!!
• Here are a few extras for on court Preparedness
• Pack your Bag with towels,grips,sun block
• Ice and Cooling towels Great for those really Hot Days
• Snacks – slices of fruit, apples, oranges and bananas and energy bars
*Remember to pace yourselves to avoid exhaustion and fatigue Drink Water
even when you’re not Thirsty!!!

Finally remember
-GET YOUR FIRST SERVES IN!
-GET YOUR RETURNS BACK!!
-DON’T LET THE NET WIN THE POINT!!!!!


* If you should have any questions call me 408 509-5011

 

Men & Women’s Club Tourney Winners

Tennis Talk
By Betty Olsen

September 30 and October 1 completed the club tournament with Men’s and Women’s Doubles. Unfortunately, Saturday greeted us with rain drizzle, so we had a brigade of members squeegee the courts plus using many old towels to dry the courts. However, it only delayed matches about an hour. Many thanks to those making it happen.

Results of Men’s A – 1st place – Amit Seth/Ken Leon, 2nd place – Steve Olson/Roy Pennington, 3rd place – Brett Forman/Brian Dombrowski, consolation winner – Sheng Chen/Venkat Prabhala

Ken Leong, Amit Seth

Results of Men’s B – 1st place – Tracy Scott/Rajeev Singh, 2nd place – Don Clarke/Marty Funcell, 3rd place – Jay Pinson/Martin Hoek, consolation winner – Bob Semple/Chuck Moss.

Rajeev Singh, Tracy Scott [missing]
Results of Women’s A – 1st place -Peggy Seidel/Phyllis Seeger, 2nd place – Sherry Benz/Julie Hawkinson, 3rd place – Liz Kung/Linda Wong. Round Robin – no consolation

Phyllis Seeger, Peggy Seidel

Results of Women’s B – 1st place -Tina Parsley/Lolivic Shaw, 2nd place – Nancy Domingo/Vonda Reid, 3rd place – Sharon Bartels/Maureen O’Neill

Tina Parsley, Lolavic Shaw

And to celebrate, the Awards Dinner was held Sunday night, October 1 at Foothill. President Randy Shaw handed out medals to the winners following a delicious BBQ dinner. Many thanks to Tina Parsley for the lovely flower centerpieces and the many who helped clean-up.