October 2024

I hope this message finds you safe and surrounded by loved ones. As everyone begins to process the impact of Hurricane Helene and Milton, I want to take a moment to reach out to each of you during this challenging time.

The NMTA is deeply saddened by the devastation that has affected many communities throughout our Southern and Florida Sections. This storm has brought significant challenges: disrupting lives, ravaging homes, affecting businesses, and damaging tennis facilities. Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted.

As we navigate the aftermath of this disaster, it’s important to remember that USTA Southern is a strong tennis community. Its dedication and support have always been the backbone of its efforts, and now, more than ever, it is coming together to help those in need in the tennis ecosystem.

In the coming weeks, the USTA Southern Board of Directors will share information regarding the USTA Southern Disaster Relief Fund, which supports tennis facilities and clubs damaged by these natural disasters. It will be available to public and private entities, and it will encourage everyone who may need help to apply. Hopefully, the USTA Florida Section and the USTA Foundation will follow suit.

The National Level 2 Longboat Key tournament, a highly anticipated event on the tournament calendar, is set to proceed as planned December 2-8, 2024. This decision comes after careful consideration and a comprehensive cleanup effort, ensuring that the tournament maintains its reputation for excellence. Players and spectators can look forward to experiencing competitive play at the Longboat Key Tennis Center, known for its exceptional facilities and community and sponsor support. The tournament promises to be a showcase of skill and sportsmanship, reflecting the dedication of both organizers and athletes to the sport of tennis and the first event of the NMTA Triple Crown events.

Both the President of the National Women’s Tennis Organization and I have been invited to the USTA National Tournament Directors Workshop the first week in November. The United States Tennis Association's initiative to include a diverse group of Tournament Directors, such as those from Wheelchair, Junior, and Adult divisions, in their upcoming workshop is a commendable effort. This inclusive approach not only fosters a unified administrative strategy but also ensures that the nuances of each division are addressed. Most importantly by doing so, the USTA is taking a significant step towards enhancing the tournament experience for players across the board, demonstrating their commitment to excellence and the growth of the sport. Such workshops are pivotal in sharing best practices, discussing challenges, and developing cohesive policies that will benefit the tournaments and their participants. It's an excellent opportunity for all involved to contribute to the sport's development and ensure a high-quality experience for everyone.

Here are helpful website links to save and to mark as favorites:

1) 2025 Tournament Calendar
2025 Level 2 & 3 View

2) USTA Tournament National Standing Lists

3) USTA Points Table per Level

4) Doubles Registration Instructions

5) USTA Level 1 Tournament Calendar Table View

6) USTA Level 2-3 Tournament Calendar Table View

7) USTA Sections Tournament Calendar by USTA Section Levels 4-7

Play well, be safe and be healthy,

Steve Duffel, President

National Men’s Tennis Association

September 2024

The National Men's Tennis Association (NMTA) is dedicated to enhancing the tennis experience for players across the nation. With a focus on accessibility and player engagement, the NMTA provides a comprehensive roadmap for competition, ensuring that players of all levels can find events and tournaments that suit their skill set and competitive desires. The organization's commitment to fostering a vibrant tennis community is evident in its efforts to streamline the process of finding and entering competitions. By prioritizing ease of access and clear communication, the NMTA helps players navigate the competitive landscape, making it simpler to participate in the sport they love. This approach not only supports the growth of tennis but also enriches the sporting journey for every individual involved.

As the autumn season approaches, marking the start of various tournaments and events, it's crucial to have all necessary resources at your fingertips. Ensuring you have quick access to registration portals, official rules, USTA point tables, USTA Standings List and scheduling information can streamline the process and enhance your experience. Bookmarking key websites related to your specific tournaments, such as the official tournament overview page will keep you well-prepared and informed. Additionally, keeping a checklist of registration deadlines, entry requirements, and contact information for tournament directors can help prevent any last-minute rushes and ensure a smooth participation.

Here are helpful website links to save and to mark as favorites:

1)      2025 Tournament Calendar –Location and Dates only:2025 Level 1 Table View — National Men's Tennis Association (nsmta.net)  2025 Level 2 & 3 View — National Men's Tennis Association (nsmta.net)

2)      USTA Tournament National Standing Lists: Click Here

3)      USTA Points Table per Level: Click Here

4)      Doubles Registration Instructions: Click Here

5)      USTA Level 1 Tournament Calendar Table View: 2024 NMTA Level 1 Table

6)      USTA Level 2-3 Tournament Calendar Table View: 2024 NMTA Level 2-3 Table

7)      USTA Sections Level 4-7 Tournament Calendar: 2024 NMTA Section Levels 4-7 Table

Major event:

Each year, during the second week of November, NMTA sponsors and helps plan the USTA National Men’s Intersectional Team Championships playing for the Keith Donoff Cup. All USTA Sections are invited and encouraged to send teams of their best players representing their area in age categories 35, 45, 55, 60,65, 70,75, 80, and 85s.

This event alternates between clay courts and hard courts, hosting over 200 men each year. Each team plays for four days with singles matches in the morning and doubles in the afternoon. In recent years, the clay court event has been held in Columbus, GA and the hard-court event will be held this year November 6-10 in Plano, TX

USTA members who are interested in playing in the Intersectional event should contact their Section Office to find out how teams are organized in their Section. Registration is done by the team captain or Section Office. Each team has between 4 and 7 players, depending on the numbers of singles and doubles lines to be played in each age group. Whether on clay or hard courts, whether 35 or 85, what is always on display at Intersectionals is competition at the highest level, team bonding between those representing their USTA Sections, and renewal of enduring friendships of players from all areas of the country.  Here is the informational link:

1) USTA Men’s National Intersectionals playing for the Donoff Cup: Click Here

 Please note this major change to the existing 2024 Tournament Calendar

1) Level 1 USTA Men’s National Indoor 80-85-90-95: Click Here

Just be aware that each tournament has registration closing dates that may be as much as 2 weeks prior to its starting date.

 Play well, be safe and stay healthy,

Steve Duffel, President

National Men’s Tennis Association

August 2024

What is Happening! What has Happened!

What will Happen! What is Happening... Back in May the USTA sent out Tournament Bid Forms to all 2024 Level 1-Level 3 events for renewal in 2025. The USTA published timeline was for all 2025 Bid Forms were to be submitted by July 8, 2024, for the 2025 tournament season:
July 9-31, 2024 USTA Adult Competition Committee (ACC), Sanctioning Sub-Committee, were to begin their review process of all submitted applications.
August 1, 2024, the draft of the 2025 National Adult Tournament Schedule was to be reviewed by the ACC.
August 8,2024 the ACC will vote to approve the 2025 National Adult Tournament Schedule August 15, 2024, if approved the 2025 National Adult Tournament Schedule (Levels 1-3) to be published.
September 20, 2024, All Serve Tennis registration links must be submitted and published. Tournaments may be awarded to another bidder if this is not completed. After this process the USTA Sections and States/Districts will begin their Tournament Calendar process to adjust for conflicts with the National events.

In 2024 the NMTA sanctioned our own sponsored NMTA National Clay Court Championships (Level 3) in Columbus, GA. We have renewed our bid for 2025 and requested an upgrade to Level 2 status.
For 2025 we have applied for our 2nd NMTA national event to be held in the summer of 2025. We have applied for Level 2 status for the NMTA National Indoor Championships to be held in July at the newly opened (Nov 2023) Leftwich Tennis Center in Memphis, TN with 12 indoor and 24 outdoor hardcourts.
If we could wave our MAGIC WAND... hopefully, we will establish our own National Grass and National Hardcourt events in the future!

What has Happened... The National Men's Tennis Association has recently celebrated two remarkable events in its NMTA Team Invitational Series. The 4th of July NMTA Asheville Doubles Classic paid tribute to the legendary Hall of Famer Armistead Neely, showcasing a thrilling display of doubles tennis that captivated fans and participants alike. Following this, the NMTA Doubles Classic in Boone, NC, hosted by Dr. Noble Hendrix and honoring Ralph Grieco, concluded with equal fanfare, further cementing the series' reputation for excellence in the team sport events. These events not only honor past tennis greats but also foster a sense of community and sportsmanship among players. The summaries of these events, detailing the matches, festivities, and special moments, are available for enthusiasts to relive the excitement. Asheville Doubles Classic and 2024 Ralph Grieco Memorial Event in Boone

What will Happen... The National Men's Tennis Association's annual meeting in August marks a significant occasion for the NMTA Board of Directors. It's a time to reflect on the strategic goals set the previous year and evaluate the progress made towards achieving them. This review process is crucial as it allows the board to ensure that the association is on the right track and to make necessary adjustments for the upcoming year. The ability to adapt and refine strategies is key to the continued success and growth of the association, ensuring that it remains responsive to the ever-evolving landscape of men's tennis. As 2024's objectives are assessed, the board will have the opportunity to strengthen their plans for 2025, setting a course that aligns with their long-term vision for the Association.

Here is an FYI.... The NMTA Board of Directors has evolved significantly over the past six years, reflecting a diverse array of expertise and experiences. With term limits ensuring fresh perspectives, the board has grown from its original six members to the full complement of nine. As some members conclude their terms, the search for new candidates begins, aiming to attract individuals passionate about contributing to the organization's mission. The current board composition is a testament to this diversity, featuring Tournament Directors, National Gold Ball winners, a CPA, a Lawyer/Judge, a Marketing Consultant, a Medical Physican, an IT Executive, as well as Domestic/International Tournament Players, former USTA Committee members, USTA Sectional Committee members, and Certified Referees. This blend of backgrounds not only enriches discussions but also broadens the board's collective understanding of the various facets of tennis administration and promotion.

What kind of Board volunteers are we looking for: In the realm of competitive tournaments, the ideal board volunteers are those who not only have a history of participating in such events but also possess a diverse set of skills that can contribute to the tournament's success. These individuals are often sought after for their strategic thinking, ability to handle high-pressure situations, and their understanding of the game's intricacies. They may also be valued for their leadership qualities, as they can guide and motivate other volunteers, ensuring that the event runs smoothly. Additionally, having experience in various roles, from player services to event logistics, can be a significant asset, as it allows for a more versatile and adaptable volunteer team. Such a blend of competitive experience and practical skills can greatly enhance the efficiency and professionalism of our Board of Directors in 2025. If you are interested, please send an email with a bio to: steve@bellarosa.us
The inclusion of Adam Hutchinson, the USTA Director of Adult Competition, in your annual meeting this year, as well as last year, is a strategic move that ensures all attendees are well-informed about the current and forthcoming initiatives within the realm of adult tennis competitions. Adam's expertise and insights are invaluable, especially considering the absence of any of your directors on the USTA Adult Competition Committee. His updates will provide a comprehensive overview of the USTA's efforts, aligning your organization's activities with the national governing body's standards and regulations for adult competitions. This collaboration highlights the importance of staying connected with the broader tennis community and its governing entities to foster growth and development in the sport.

One Last Note!
September 15th is the DEADLINE for the USTA Sections to submit their applications/rosters for the USTA Men’s Intersectionals playing for the Donoff Cup. A Level 2 event played at the Highpoint Tennis Center in Plano, TX, November 6-10, 2024, Link: Donoff Cup

July 2024

As the summer heat reaches its peak and the pace of tournaments begins to wane, it’s the perfect time to start looking forward to one of the fall’s premier exciting event. This event offers a refreshing change of pace and a chance to engage with some of the top players in the country.

The USTA National Men's Intersectional Team Championships Donoff Cup represent the pinnacle of competitive tennis, uniting the top age group players from all 17 USTA Sections. These players, deemed the "Best of the Best," vie for the esteemed Keith Donoff Cup, a symbol of team excellence in the sport. The event's format, which awards individual age division winners while also recognizing the Section with the highest overall points, fosters a dynamic competitive environment. Selection criteria vary by Section, with some opting for stringent requirements, while others focus on recruiting the strongest contenders, including teaching pros who, despite limited tournament play, can significantly bolster their team's performance. The demographic diversity of the Sections also influences participation across different age categories, with some providing financial support to their representatives. This year marks a notable shift as the championships transition to a hardcourt facility in Plano, TX, embracing the challenge of alternating surfaces to reflect the diverse playing conditions athletes encounter. With the deadline approaching in October, the strategic assembly of teams is underway, underscoring the event's status as a highly anticipated and strategic fixture within the USTA's competitive landscape. This is a time for Sections to showcase their dedication to the sport and their players' prowess, making every match a testament to the enduring spirit of tennis.

Everyone stay healthy, play well and hydrate!

Steve Duffel, President

May 2024

May is "National Tennis Month".  In the USTA tennis tournament landscape, there are a multitude of events all happening at once.  There are Level 1, 2 and 3 National Championship events, NTRP Level 1 Championships, and many other Sectional events for all to enjoy.

 All these events bring players and tournament managers into the tournament experience mode.  This reminds me, it was about this time six years ago that Larry Turville, Mas Kimball, Jimmy Parker, Ed Trost, Jerry Thomas and I got together and decided to create a mission driven 501(c)(3) charitable organization for age group competitive senior (35+) tournament players.  All of us had served on the USTA Competition Committee and had become frustrated and recognized the need for an organization that focused on growing the game for senior men tennis players to ensure we were all working together to fulfill our mission of supporting "A Sport for a Lifetime".

Thus, the creation of the NSMTA, which is now the National Men's Tennis Association.  Over these years, we have grown as an organization setting strategic goals and improving the landscape and tournament experience for adult players.

We have happily improved our relationship with the USTA.  They no longer consider the men’s NMTA and the women's NWTO not as adversaries but as knowledgeable organizations in tune with the adult players.  The addition of USTA staff members Adam Hutchinson and Rob Gorden was a welcome effort and made a vast improvement in communication and in many other areas.

The NMTA's growth and the strengthening of its relationship with the USTA highlight the importance of collaboration and understanding in advancing the interests of adult competitive players.

All of this being said, the month of May has had its struggles.  This month has reminded me of the famous Ray Parker, Jr lyrics from "Ghostbusters".  " If there is something strange in your neighborhood, who are you going to call?"  In the adult tennis world, many players don't know who to CALL, so consequently.....

My personal email address, the NMTA email address and my cell phone blew up from several registered players not being allowed to play over the decisions made by a Level 2 National Tournament Director/Tournament Committee to limit their draws.  I waited a couple of days to see if there were any efforts to correct the situation.  Then I sent an email to the Tournament Director/Tournament Committee and the USTA to get the ball rolling for some attention or correction.   Level 2 National Tournaments cannot limit their draws unless they have permission from the USTA Adult Comp Committee-- they didn't.  There is a method if there is a limited draw for accepting alternates-- they didn't follow it.  There were several more issues, but you get the picture.  A similar incident happened a couple of years ago with threatened lawsuits from junior parents whose registered child was not selected to play in a tournament because the TD did not follow the established protocol.  Not playing in the event meant loss of ranking/standing points, which brought possible college scholarship issues into play.

In the adult age Level National tournaments, we don't have to be concerned with college scholarships.  However, in this case, as one disgruntled registered player who was not selected pointed out, he had prepaid hotel accommodations and flight arrangements.  He had a better UTR, WTN, and a higher National Standings List (NSL) points than several of the players selected.

After my email was cussed and discussed, it is my understanding that all these issues will be addressed by the USTA Adult Comp Committee and the USTA Staff very soon to prepare for the 2025 season.  Last week all the existing National Tournament Directors received their bid/sanction forms for the 2025 season with these key dates:

July 8, 2024, due date for all 2025 National Tournaments Level 1, 2 and 3 bid/sanction forms

August 15, 2024, decisions by USTA Adult Comp Sanctions Committee to distribute 2025 National Tournament Schedule.

This situation reflects the complexities and challenges that can arise in organizing and managing tennis tournaments, particularly at the national level. It's clear that communication and adherence to established protocols are crucial in these scenarios. When tournament directors or committees make decisions that affect players' opportunities, transparency and accountability become paramount. The issues, such as the selection process for players and the handling of alternates, are significant and have a direct impact on the participants. It's encouraging to hear that these matters are set to be addressed by the USTA Adult Competition Committee and the USTA Staff. Addressing these concerns is essential for maintaining the integrity of the sport and the trust of the players, ensuring that the rules and procedures are not only clear but also fairly and consistently applied.

“Who are you going to call?  The NMTA!

The commitment of the NMTA Board of Directors to its members is ongoing. With a focus on transparency and communication, the board's proactive approach in keeping the members informed about the factors influencing their tournament experience is essential. This not only fosters a sense of community and trust but also ensures that the members feel valued and heard. Continual updates and open lines of communication are key to maintaining a positive and supportive environment for all involved. The board's dedication to the best interests of its members is a strong foundation for the success and growth of this organization.

Play well, be safe and stay healthy,

Steve Duffel, President

April 2024

The National Men's Tennis Association (NMTA) recently hosted the inaugural NMTA Masters Clay Court Championships in Columbus, GA, marking a significant addition to the tennis calendar. This event, held at the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center, showcased a high level of competition and camaraderie among players. The NMTA Board extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants who displayed exceptional skill and sportsmanship on the clay courts. The success of this tournament reflects the growing enthusiasm for tennis across the nation and the NMTA's commitment to enhancing the player's experience. With the promise of becoming an annual highlight, the NMTA Masters Clay Court Championships are set to become a staple for tennis aficionados and a testament to the sport's enduring appeal.

The National Men's Tennis Association (NMTA) has indeed made a significant contribution to the sport by establishing an annual tournament that not only celebrates the competitive spirit of the game but also honors outstanding players. Housing the "Player of the Year Award" at the CORTA headquarters in Columbus, GA, adds a sense of permanence and prestige to the accolade. Jimmy Parker, a renowned figure in the tennis world with a record-breaking number of 162 USTA National Championships under his belt, was a fitting recipient for the 2023 award. His illustrious career and contributions to tennis make him a true inspiration for players everywhere. The introduction of the President's Award, presented to Joe Rasgado, further highlights the NMTA's commitment to recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact on the sport and the growing membership of the NMTA. These awards not only acknowledge individual excellence but also encourage the broader tennis community to strive for greatness both on and off the court.

The forward-thinking approach of the NMTA Board to enhance next year's event by applying to the USTA for an upgrade to a National Level 2 with prize money and additional amenities is a strategic move that will likely attract a wider audience and more higher caliber competitors. By investing in the event's appeal, the board is not only raising the stakes but also enriching the experience for participants and spectators alike.

The spring season is a bustling time for tennis enthusiasts, with the NMTA Master Team Series events at Hilton Head, SC, drawing players to its maximum capacity.  Each of the USTA Sections are not far behind, with a full schedule of tournaments ready to challenge and excite players of all levels. The new "Section Tournaments" feature on our website is a thoughtful addition, streamlining the process of finding and registering for events. With each Sections’ Level 4 thru Level 7 tournaments neatly listed and events organized by date, division, and surface, players can easily plan their competitive season and hit the courts with confidence. This user-friendly tool is sure to be a game-changer for many, making the search for the perfect tournament as smooth as a well-executed backhand slice.

On behalf of our organization, we extend our deepest gratitude to all our members for their unwavering support and generous donations. Your contributions have been instrumental in advancing our mission and enabling us to reach our goals. Each donation, no matter the size, has a significant impact and is greatly appreciated. Your commitment to our cause is truly inspiring, and we are honored to have such dedicated members as part of the competitive tennis community. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey and for believing in the work we do.

Play well, be safe and stay healthy,

Steve Duffel, President

March 2024

By now you should have received your personal invitation to play the inaugural National Level 3 NMTA Masters Clay Court Championships in Columbus, GA April 10-14.  The registration closes on March 27th.  This will be an annual event striving to bring the players tournament experience on an equal plane like the now 2 premium events in the south, the Harry V Barton Bocage Clay Court Championships and the Atlanta Senior Invitational. The NMTA event will provide registered players with a player's gift, plus daily hospitality, two (2) lunch days, and the player dinner at the National Infantry Museum. In addition, the NMTA will present the 2023 National Member Player of the Year Award. The Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA) Executive Director Judy Pearce and Linda Gordon, Tournament Director have been diligently preparing to make this one of the premier events on the spring calendar.

I want to congratulate all the players who represented the USA in Turkey at the 2024 ITF Masters World Team and Individual Championships especially those who are members of the NMTA that were selected to play on the USA Team:

M65 – Chuck Kuhle, Ross Hessler
M70 – Norman Ashbrooke, Danny Carlson, Tom Smith, Dennis Engelbrecht
M75 – Al Yearwood, Brant Bailey, Brian Cheney
M80 – Jimmy Parker, Fred Drilling, Jody Rush, Dean Corley
M85 – Jerald Hayes, Don Mathais, Robert Quall, William Wolff

As I mentioned a couple of months ago, the NMTA Board of Directors re-evaluated our mission and goals for 2024 and beyond. Some of those goals included growing membership, expanding more events to the west coast, etc. Most were intended to generate revenue to facilitate our growth and a new NMTA brand. Over the last several years we have matched or donated to many charitable organizations with your help. However, we have never asked our NMTA members or non-members who follow our efforts to consider a volunteering opportunity. A very unique and award-winning organization has approached the NMTA Board for a partnering opportunity which we felt would be a good fit for our members and tennis loving enthusiasts across the country. We are not asking for money or donations, just your time contributing to this worthy cause to help those with disabilities.

The NMTA is committed to leveraging the strength of our tennis community to support efforts that introduce the sport to communities that don’t normally have access. ACEing Autism is a volunteer-driven organization established in 2008 by NMTA member Richard Spurling and Dr. Shafali Jeste. The mission of ACEing Autism is to become the foremost authority on the developmental impact of tennis and sports on children with autism spectrum disorder. By engaging with 50% of the over one million families within the autism community, ACEing Autism is a national leader in adaptive tennis programs and aims to increase awareness of its unique programming and connects kids on the autism spectrum with tennis.

We’re partnering to help support more kids and provide NMTA members with opportunities for a deeply rewarding experience.  ACEing Autism provides children on the autism spectrum with connection with a sport, physical fitness, socialization and fun. It’s very difficult for families to find an appropriate sport to help their child be active, develop and grow. ACEing Autism has been filling this void for 15 years, growing 20% each year, and measuring remarkable, positive outcomes for participating children, their families and program volunteers. ACEing Autism provides programs in more than 130 communities and schools nationwide.

ACEing Autism clinics are one hour, on the weekends, typically conducted over a 6–8-week session in the spring and fall. Each clinic, featuring a 1:1 volunteer to child ratio follows the ACEing 9-step curriculum featuring various activities from introductions and warm-ups to skill development, to social games. ACEing Program Directors and volunteers create a fun, social environment, and choose activities where each child can be successful.

The outcome of ACEing Autism sessions are happy children and parents, gross and fine motor skill development, mood and behaviors improvements, enhanced social skills, and educated volunteers on how to partner with individuals on the spectrum. ACEing volunteers receive free professional training and enjoy a special life experience.

NSMTA and ACEing Autism invite you to explore opportunities to be a:

1.      Program Director in your community - full training and support is provided by ACEing,
2.      Program volunteer that works 1:1 with a child,
3.      Networker and supporter to help ACEing grow.

This is an exciting opportunity to blend your love of tennis with support for children new to the sport, and serving a community that often goes unrecognized for their potential.
Again, thanks for your support!

Play well, stay healthy and be safe!

Steve Duffel, President

National Men’s Tennis Association

February 2024

The spring national tournaments are just around the corner. Already the first two National Level 2 events in the NMTA Triple Crown Series had almost 300 players participate in each event. Part of our mission statement is to foster tennis competition among adult players on a nationwide basis.

In 2024, the National Men's Tennis Association (NMTA) will begin to create its own National Championships on different surfaces. The NMTA National Hardcourt is still searching for a site and date on the west coast. However, the inaugural NMTA National Clay Court Championships will be held at the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center in Columbus, GA from April 10th to April 14th. This beautiful 40-clay court facility with multiple nearby surrounding hotels is just an hour and fifteen-minute drive from Hartsfield International Atlanta airport. The NMTA will honor its member “2023 Player of the Year Award” at the players' party on Friday night, as well as provide an opportunity for the players to interact with the NMTA Board of Directors. Registrations for the tournament will close on March 27th.

It has been 5 years now that we have been organized and striving to improve the tennis ecosystem for adult tournament players. Our goal is to continue to provide even more enhancements to the game which the USTA has tagged "a sport for a lifetime."

We have undergone typical changes that new organizations experience.  Recently, we dropped “Senior” from our name, and we’re now officially the National Men’s Tennis Association (NMTA).  This shift was driven by a few factors.  First, young adult players don’t relate to the term “Senior”.  Second, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has rebranded all “Senior” events as Masters (Masters Tour), Masters Calendar, etc.), and we expect the USTA to soon follow suit.  This change reflects our commitment to provide the best opportunities and services for our highly competitive adult players.  We are following the example of other organizations such as NWTO and ITF.  They have updated their names to be more inclusive and respectful of different age groups. Please join us in embracing this new name and identity.

In closing, just a few notes:

With the name change comes changes to our logo, garments and documents; please be patient.
Congratulatory bag tags were sent last week to members who were ranked in the top 20 USTA 2023 year-end rankings.
HUGE CONGRATS to the National Womens Tennis Organization (NWTO) who are celebrating their 50th year anniversary.
The 2024 USTA National Men's Intersectionals playing for the Donoff Cup will be held in Plano, TX on hardcourts at High Point Tennis Center November 6-10.
The Southern Men’s Clay Court Championships in Jackson, MS will be offering $4,000 in prize money for certain events May 16-19.Be safe, be healthy and play well!

Steve Duffel, President

January 2024

We are delighted to wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! and to celebrate our 6th anniversary of enhancing the tennis environment for the highly competitive player.

Our Board of Directors, with diverse expertise in legal, medical, digital, financial, marketing and tournament management, has been instrumental in our strategic planning process for setting our objectives for 2024. Our mission, since 2018, has been to improve the players' tournament experience.

We have been working hard for the past 6 years to enhance the tournament experience for our players, to support charitable causes and organizations, and to offer a better digital platform for players to find and register for tournaments. We are proud of our achievements, and we are ready for the next level of growth and innovation in 2024. Here are some of the key changes that we have planned:

We are excited to announce that starting from February 1st, our organization will be known as NMTA - National Men's Tennis Association. This change reflects our commitment to provide the best opportunities and services for our highly competitive adult players. We are following the example of other organizations such as NWTO and ITF, who have also updated their names to be more inclusive and respectful of different age groups. Please join us in embracing this new name and identity.

The term "Masters" is used to designate the divisions for older adult players in various events and tournaments. For example, the ITF has ITF Masters Divisions, the ITF Masters Tour and the ITF Masters Tour Calendar. Similarly, we have introduced the NMTA "Masters Invitational Team Series", which is not sanctioned by the USTA, and the USTA sanctioned Level 3 NMTA Masters Clay Court Championships in Columbus, GA April 10-14, 2024. These are opportunities for older adult players to compete and enjoy the sport of tennis.

The NMTA is an organization that aims to provide a better tennis experience for adult competitive players. We listen to the feedback of our members and use it to guide our actions. Based on the survey results from more than 8,000 players in the fall of 2023, we have set some goals for 2024. These include:

- Growing our membership base and reaching out to more tennis enthusiasts.

- Improving our digital platform to make it easier and more convenient for players to register, communicate and access information.

- Offering new resources for education and wellness to help players improve their skills and health.

- Expanding the range and location of events to cater to different preferences and needs of players.

 We are proud to announce that we have donated more than $10,000 to various charities in 2023, either directly or through matching programs. We plan to raise this amount to $15,000 in 2024, as part of our commitment to social responsibility. We also want to improve the quality of our tournaments by providing our National Tournament Directors with a updated version of the Tournament Director's Handbook, which outlines the standards for playing conditions, amenities, and local attractions. Moreover, we are looking for a suitable location for a sanctioned event on the west coast, like the NMTA Masters Clay Court Championships that will take place in Columbus, GA in April.

We are excited to work with the tennis community to achieve these goals and make 2024 a great year for tennis.

Good Luck in 2024 and a have a safe and healthy year.

Steve Duffel, President

National Men’s Tennis Association

December 2023

Happy Holidays!  As we close out 2023, I again reflect on the accomplishments and commitments of our growing Association this year.  Our goals could not have been achieved without the support of our members and a very dedicated hard-working Board of Directors!

 One of our missions was to enhance the player experience of age- based tournaments.  With the cooperative effort of the National Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO), we convinced the USTA to upgrade the 2023 National Indoor events from a Level 2 to a Level 1 status.  In addition, upgraded the Men’s and Women’s Intersectionals to a Level 2 status.  Although a small victory, there are still many issues that need to be addressed with the USTA.  Also, in 2023 we were proud to provide support to several tennis-related organizations with grants and donations of over $20,000.

 In 2023 the NWTO surveyed the 17 USTA Sectional offices about their focus and support of Adult tournament tennis.  We at NSMTA surveyed 8,000+ players, both league and tournament competitors, regarding their preferences and experiences in the tennis ecosystem.  Both surveys produced valuable insights for our strategic planning.  As a result, the NSMTA Board of Directors spent an entire meeting day developing our strategies for 2024 and beyond.  We based our workshop on what we learned from the surveys of the NWTO, NSMTA, and the published USTA and ITF long-term strategic plans.

 To this point, the BOD has considered rebranding our NSMTA name following the example of the women, but currently decided against it.  The NWTO, formerly the National SENIOR Women’s Tennis Association (NSWTA), removed Senior from their name in order to attract more younger players.  The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has already removed “Senior” from their circuit titles and calendar with the nomenclature “Masters”.  So, now we have the ITF Masters Tour and the ITF Masters Tour Calendar.  The USTA is said to be also considering this change in the near future.  We know that players aged 30 to 50 don’t really see themselves as “seniors”.

 In order to grow the NSMTA membership footprint and attract younger players, we feel this change to “Masters” in some of our events will be a positive move.  One of our near-term goals is to format events that will attract these younger players.  In light of this nomenclature change, the NSMTA Invitational Series will now be called the NSMTA Masters Invitational Series.  In fact, the first 2024 Level 2 national tournament, which we sponsor in Naples, FL at the Emilio Sanchez Academy in January, will be titled the ES Masters Championships.

We appreciate your feedback from the survey that we conducted earlier this year.  We learned that many of you are concerned about the consistency and quality of the tournaments that you participate in. You shared your frustrations with player experiences, tournament formats and tournament communications.  To address these issues, we created a Tournament Directors Handbook that provides guidelines and best practices for organizing and running tournaments.  We shared this handbook with the USTA and it will be made available (and hopefully adhered to) to all Level 1-3 Tournament Directors.

 Here are some important updates for you:

• The 2024 Tournament Schedule has been updated on our website and the schedule will be regularly adjusted as the USTA releases info.

• The Larry Turville Super Senior Circuit in Florida begins with the NSMTA Doubles Classic Jan 3rd.

• The NSMTA Triple Crown’s first event was a great success with 300+ players.  The 2nd leg of the Triple Crown will be the Emilio Sanchez Masters Championships on Jan 15-21. The 3rd event will be the Raymond James at the St. Pete Tennis Center.  Registration closes Feb 16th.

• The Wilson Classic, one of the most prestigious events on the west coast, and the largest USTA tournament, is open for registration until Jan 5th.

• WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE that the USTA has approved the NSMTA National Clay Court Championships to be held in Columbus, GA.  April 10-14 as a Level 3.  Ages 55-85.  More info to follow next month.

• The NSMTA will also have an Awards Banquet to honor the 2023 outstanding performances from members in each age group 55-85 and to recognize the 2023 member Player of the Year at the NSMTA National Clay Courts in April in Columbus.

 I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday, and a healthy and fulfilling New Year!

 Steve Duffel, President

October 2023

As the 2023 tournament season winds down with some major events still on the horizon, players and the NSMTA Board of Directors are getting ready for 2024.

The USTA Men’s National Intersectionals competing for the Donoff Cup has 151 registered players from 7 of the 17 USTA Sections. It is a bit disappointing when you compare it to the Women’s Intersectionals happening the same weekend in Phoenix, where they have 13 USTA Sections and 342 players. Due to low player participation/USTA Sections, the Donoff Cup has had to cancel the 45, 80 and 85 and over Divisions.

One bright spot is the Nov 17-19 Gatlin Cup still to be played in Daytona Beach, FL.  It’s the last of the NSMTA Invitational Team Series events.  This team doubles competition has 3 divisions: 65+, 70+, 75+.  There are 6 teams in the 65+ and 70+ and 4 teams in the 75+ with round robin play in each division.

The NSMTA Board has a lot of homework to do in the next few months. The purpose of the recent survey was to give us some guidance for both short and long term strategies. Some of our main goals of increasing participation in Men’s tennis involve better tournament publicity, consistent tournament formats and better tournament locations. We want to expand the NSMTA Team Series to include venues west of Mississippi. If the USTA approves our USTA Sanction Application, we will hold our 1st Annual NSMTA Clay Court Championships in Columbus, GA in April 2024 and the 1st Annual NSMTA Hardcourt Championships at a site and date to be determined.

For all the players looking forward to the 2024 Florida tournament schedule (SSGP), here are recently announced dates and places. However, the USTA has not posted all the registration links as of this writing.

 Jan 4-7, NSMTA Senior Dbls, Colonial Country Club, Ft. Myers
Jan 8-14, World of Tennis, Naples
Jan 15-21, NSMTA Triple Crown, Emilio Sanches Academy, Naples
Jan 24-28, SSGP, Palmira, Bonita Springs
Jan 31-Feb 4, SSGP, Heritage Landing, Punta Gorda
Feb 5-10, SSGP, The Meadows CC, Sarasota
Feb 13-17, SSGP, GT Bray Park, Brandenton
Feb 21-25, SSGP, Innsbrook, Palm Harbor
Feb 28-Mar 3, Raymond James, St Pete Tennis Center, St Petersburg                                                                     

Our recent survey combined with National Women Tennis Organization survey of the USTA Sectional offices has given us a good picture of where we need to position the NSMTA to help grow men’s tennis.  We will probably be posting our homework results early in 2024.  With the combined efforts of the NWTO and the NSMTA Associations you will soon see some welcome improvements and more value for your membership.

 Have fun and stay healthy!

Steve Duffel, President

September 2023

NSMTA Survey Information - We appreciate your participation in the NSMTA survey that closed on August 11th. The feedback we received is very valuable and insightful. We have prepared a brief overview of some findings that we would like to share with you here. We will post the full report to the NSMTA website.    

NSMTA SURVEY RECAP

We distributed 7955 surveys to our NSMTA friends and members. From which we received 1,294 responses, a 16% response rate.   Some of the results of the survey are below.

 Team Events Survey Question - Over the past two years the NSMTA has provided non-sanctioned team events that are organized by the NSMTA. Would you like to see more of these types of events?

Results -
72.2% - Yes
27.5% - No
.3% - NA

Tournament Scoring Questions – USTA is currently evaluating various scoring formats. Which ones do you prefer (Check all that apply)?

Results -
'Regular 2 out of 3 sets' was selected 667 times.
'Championship Tie Break in Lieu of a 3rd set' was selected 616 times.
'8 Game Pro Set Matches' was selected 46 times.
'Other (please comment)' was selected 32 times.

If the scoring format was different than the one you prefer, would you still play?           
Results –
58.3% - Yes
35.6% - Maybe
6% - No
.1% - N/A

Factors in determining to play a tournament – How important are the following factors in you deciding to play a tournament?
Results – (in order of rank 1st – 9th)
Location, Competition, Well-Run Event, Friends and Camaraderie, Facility, USTA Ranking Points, Consolation Rounds, Prize Money, Chance for a Gold, Sliver or Bronze Ball

Tournament Amenities - How important are each of the following tournament amenities:
Results – (in order of rank 1st – 6th)
Gift Bags/Shirts Etc, Lunches, Dinners, Tournament Prizes, Housing, Prize Money

Full Survey Results

Overall, we received a lot of great information.  We will be using it to develop our strategic plan which will include our 2024 objectives.  As a board, we are looking forward to sharing this information with you soon.

A few reminders:
The Donoff Cup deadline is October 1st. 
The Bremuda Tennis Tournament deadline is October 2nd.  Here it the tournament flyer. Here is the tournament link.

Thank you for your support as we strive to improve and do great things for senior tennis.
Good Luck, play well and stay healthy!

Steve Duffel, President
National Men’s Tennis Association

July 2023

Analytics are essential tools for various stakeholders in the tennis world, such as players, coaches, teams, and businesses. They help them make informed decisions and achieve their desired outcomes. The National Senior Men’s Tennis Association (NSMTA) is committed to using analytics to enhance its services and programs for its members and partners. That is why we have launched a survey to collect feedback from 10,000 email recipients on various topics related to the NSMTA, the USTA, and the competitive tennis environment. The survey is open until August 11th and we encourage you to participate and share your opinions. The survey results will provide us with valuable insights into the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of our organization and the tennis community. We will use these insights to inform our Annual Board Meeting, where we will develop our 2024 Roadmap for goals and objectives. We will also share the results with the NSMTA membership and the USTA. We are delighted to announce that Adam Hutchinson, USTA Senior Manager for Adult Competition, will join our Board meeting to discuss the survey findings and the USTA’s plans for age-based tournaments for 2024. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to improve the tennis experience for all.

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with you about the USTA Men's Intersectionals competing for the Keith Donoff Cup. This is a Level 2 National Tournament that will take place in Columbus, GA from November 7 to 12, 2023. I have had the honor and privilege of playing and captaining the Southern Section Team for over 20 years. The NSMTA is sponsoring this amazing event that showcases some of the best age-based tournament players in the United States. This is an event where each of the 17 USTA Sections select their teams to represent them in different age groups. The Adult Coordinator in each of the 17 USTA Sections have been informed of the registration process. Unlike the past, the Sections do not have to fill all age groups. Points will be awarded for each match won in each age division. The Section with the highest number of points wins the Donoff Cup. In addition, medals will be awarded to the individual winners and finalists of each age division. Ranking points will be awarded based on the Level 2 National Table.

Try something different. Sometimes, playing on a different surface can be intriguing and challenging. If you are interested in testing your skills on red clay courts, you might want to consider signing up for the Level 3 Beaver Creek Clay Court Midwest Section Championships. The deadline to register is August 4, and the tournament will be held on eight beautiful red clay courts.

Before I end this month’s letter, I would like to express my gratitude to the Cleveland Racquet Club for hosting this year's Gordon Trophy Cup. It was a privilege to be part of Team USA vs. Team Canada, especially on the 75th anniversary of this prestigious event. I am proud that we were able to reclaim the Gordon Trophy from the Canadians on this special occasion. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our team captains, especially Tom Lucci and Kati Hirst, Sandy Lesiak, Kevin and Joyce Shaw. They made this event possible and memorable for all of us. Lastly, I would like to commend the excellent sportsmanship and fair play displayed by the players from both countries. You are all an inspiration to me and to the tennis community.

Thank you for your support as we strive to improve and do great things for senior tennis.

 Steve Duffel, President

National Senior Men’s Tennis Association

May 2023

Hello Everyone - 

 Huge Thanks!! To all our NSMTA members and friends of the Grieco family who have contributed to the Ralph Grieco Tennis Fund via the NSMTA donation page.  The additional contributions have exceeded $3,000.  Those funds will be added to the remaining $10,000 for grants from the original $50,000 donated to the NSMTA by the Grieco family.

It’s Tournament Time!!  For many tournament players in 2023, you have either already played a lot of events in the middle of an active spring schedule or are looking forward to finishing the year with a full calendar.  Personally, so far, I have played 8 events including several of our NSMTA Team Series tournaments and have come away with a few thoughts.

Some personal observations.... The USTA still needs to improve their website regarding doubles entry and partner identification to lessen the burden on the Tournament Directors.  Also, I wish the USTA would standardize playing formats for the different Levels 1-3.  They can still give the Tournament Directors an “out” in the case of extreme conditions.  Currently, the TD’s choose the format that best suits their tradition or some other factor.  In several tournaments at the same Level, I have played different formats.  Even with the differing formats, the TD’s have done a great job of communicating with texts and emails to the players and accommodating slight changes in scheduling when players have requested.

Since it was announced that the NSMTA will be one of the sponsors of the November 7-12 USTA Men’s Intersectionals playing for the Donoff Cup in Columbus, GA, we have had multiple inquiries.  The USTA Sections are being made aware of the event and their responsibilities toward choosing Captains, and players. Like the Women’s Intersectionals, hopefully they’ll provide some funding for the players who will be representing their Section in the event.  Some Sections provide funding, some do not help offset the travel and entry fees associated with teams representing their Section. Here is the link (Donoff Cup Info) which describes the procedures for the 2023 event.  In July, a complete list of hotels and other pertinent information will be added to the procedures described in this link.  Updates will be posted on our website.

Again, thank you for your support as we strive to improve, and do great things for senior tennis.

 Steve Duffel, President

National Senior Men’s Tennis Association

April 2023

This is all about ANTICIPATION!!  Just like highly skilled players in most sports, anticipation can be the key to success. That is what the National Senior Men’s Tennis Association (NSMTA) Board of Directors decided to do when we undertook the mission of promoting the USTA Men’s National Intersectional.  It’s a team event representing the best age group players from the 17 USTA Sections.

Just a little bit of history...... Some 30 years ago I was fortunate to play and captain the USTA Southern Men’s Intersectional Team.  That year it was played in Tucson, AZ.  As I recall, Southern Cal defeated us by 1 team point.  Over the years the event gradually lost its fervor.  Not from the players as much as from the lack of funding from the Sections.  As time went on, only Southern, Texas, Florida, Midwest, Mid Atlantic and a few others from time to time would participate. 

Several years ago, the Donoff family from Ohio donated a beautiful trophy cup honoring Keith Donoff, who was an avid senior player and captained the Midwest team for many years.  Consequently, participating Sections now compete for the USTA Men’s Intersectional Team Championship and the Sectional Champion wins the Keith Donoff Cup.  For the past several years, the age group teams representing their USTA Section were ages 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75. They’ve been playing a 3 singles & 2 doubles format.  The USTA Sectional team winning the most team points would capture the Donoff Cup, and it would then reside in that Section’s office until the next year.

One of the most disappointing and embarrassing situations for me over the last couple of years has been attending meetings at the Women’s Intersectional in AZ or FL.  There I see the tremendous women’s event with 300+ players and 12 to 13 USTA Sections being represented in their National Intersectional Tournament.

Again, “the women got it right”!!!!

In 2023 the NSMTA will be promoting the USTA Men’s Intersectional Team Championships competing for the Keith Donoff Cup.  The Donoff Cup will still be presented to the winning USTA Section with the most team points.

However, “just like the women” we are going to expand and enhance the format with these key elements:

•        Eligible Age Divisions: 35,45,55,60,65,70,75,80 and 85

•        Level 2 National ranking points

•        35 & 45 Age Divisions will be played on hard courts

•        55-85 will be played on clay courts

•        Medals will be awarded for each Divisional Winner

•        The USTA Section compiling the most team points will be awarded the Donoff Cup

Follow this link for the Procedures: Donoff Cup 2023

The event for 2023 will be hosted at the Roger and Judy Pearce Tennis Center at Cooper Creek Park, Columbus, GA  Nov 7-12, 2023.  The site includes 39 clay courts, and 19 hard courts with lights.  This event will run Tuesday through Sunday.  The older age divisions will begin on Tuesday and the younger age divisions will begin on Friday.

Another important requirement - each USTA Section must designate Captains before the competition begins.

Because of the demographics of some USTA Sections, they may not be able to field complete teams in all age divisions.  However, from my experience, some of the smaller Sections can truly dominate in some age divisions and would there- fore medal in those divisions.  However, they might not be able to acquire enough points for the overall Donoff Cup.

Hopefully, with almost 7 months advance notice, the Sections will be able to field and showcase some of their top talented senior players like the WOMEN DO!

So, with much fervor, I’m anticipating a great turnout!

Cheers!

February 2023

Hello everyone –
The 2023 tournament season is in full swing.  The Florida West Coast Swing of the Larry Turville Super Senior Grand Prix Series ended with the Raymond James tournament at the St. Pete Tennis Center and the final event in the NSMTA Triple Crown Series. We gratefully rewarded those players who supported the three events in the NSMTA Triple Crown Series with a well-received royal blue ¼ zip pullover.

The Florida East Coast Series has two events left in March in Boca Raton.  In addition, the Wilson Classic hosted a very successful tournament in Palm Desert with over 700+ players from all over the United States as well as numerous international entrants.

 Our analytics tell us a majority of our members utilize our website’s tournament calendar which highlights the National Level 1, 2 and 3 events.  However, as an NSMTA member you need to visit our newly updated Tournament Portal.  You can select a USTA Section where you reside and procure a list of events by date order.  It illustrates the locations, events, surface, and levels in that Section for Levels 1 through Level 6.  Our webmaster has uniquely designed it for its simplicity of use.

 Also, for the first time in 3 years, the USTA staff hosted a Tournament Directors Workshop.  One of our NSMTA Board Members, Caerwyn Evans, attended the session.  He indicated “There was a lot of good information, and all in all I’m happy to see that the USTA is making more of an effort towards helping Tournament Directors”.  Soon the NSMTA will be making available on our website an updated Tournament Directors Handbook.

In September of 2022 Hurricane Ian forced us to cancel and reschedule the combined NWTO-NSMTA Doubles Invitational.  The rescheduled date is April 14 –17 at the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center at Cooper Creek Park in Columbus, GA.  With 16 teams, 8 women and 8 men each, the entries are rapidly filling up.  This is one event both organizations have anxiously awaited to sponsor and host.  It’s a doubles round robin team tournament with top ranked men and women ages 65, 70 and 75 and over.  Players will receive discounted accommodations at local hotels.    Each day, players will receive apparel, beverages, snacks, wine and beer and a catered Saturday evening dinner.  All those amenities combined with the competition is a formula for a spectacular event!

Our membership is growing, we are improving our website, and enhancing communication and benefits to our NSMTA members. Let us know if you have any suggestions!

 Good Luck, play well and stay healthy!

 Steve Duffel

January 2023

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday, and here’s to a healthy and fulfilling New Year!

I would like to give a special thanks to our Board of Directors for their vision and steadfast commitment to maintaining focus on our Mission Statement to improve men’s competitive tennis.  Also, I’d like to welcome our newest NSMTA board member Caerwyn Evans, Director of Tennis at Shadow Mountain Resort & Club and owner of the WynTennis Academy since 2013. The club has seen exponential growth each year since then. He has spent fifteen years in the tennis industry as a teaching pro, consultant, coaches' educator, and camp director for students of all ages. His extensive experience also includes serving as a consultant to tennis clubs for program development and coaches training. Caerwyn also happens to be a scratch golfer and a licensed hot air balloon pilot (from a former life).

In 2023 we’ll be seeking to expand and promote the widely popular NSMTA Invitational Team Series on the west coast.  The participants in these events are a mixture of tournament players and local competitive league players who have not played age group-based tournaments.  Each event historically has had more than 100 players separated in age group categories with emphasis on amenities and fun.  One of the special events on the horizon in April will be the joint event with the National Women’s Tennis Organization at the Roger and Judy Tennis Center at Cooper Creek Park in Columbus, GA.

We are determined to improve and increase www.nsmta.net information and functionality.  We continue to enhance the visibility of playing opportunities via tournaments and NSMTA Team events.  Check out the new 2023 Tournament Portal.  In addition, we will be providing health-related topics that hopefully will prove beneficial to you and your game.

Currently, I am playing the Level 2 NSMTA Triple Crown event here at the Emilio Sanchez Academy and enjoying the hospitality of Phil and Myke Landauer.  Several of our NSMTA Board members are here at the tournament and we’ve met to discuss several new goals for 2023.  Mainly, we want to do more to support our members and their tournament experience. We’d like to hear your ideas. Throughout the year we may send small surveys to get your feedback on several issues dealing with tournament experiences and topics needed to be addressed with the USTA to improve men's tennis for future play.

Finally, I want to congratulate NSMTA member Steve Hayden - he has been appointed to the USTA Adult Competition Committee.  The Larry Turville Super Senior Circuit in Florida is in full swing.  The NSMTA’s promotion of the NSMTA Triple Crown has greatly enhanced the promotion of the first two events.  The Longboat Key Level 2 had 316 players and the just completed NSMTA Triple Crown Level 2 here in Naples had 333 players.  The last Level 2 Triple Crown event is the Raymond James in St. Pete FL, registration closes Feb10th.

Good Luck, play well and stay healthy in 2023!

Steve Duffel

December 2022

Happy Holidays!  December brings to a close a year in which the NSMTA membership has grown to over 1,200 members.  I have been very grateful to have a dedicated group of Board of Directors who accomplished a majority of the goals highlighted below from my 2021 President’s Letter.

•        Improve our communications – with the almost daily efforts of Ed Wagner and his son Zack, we have updated, improved, and transitioned the Allan Messer’s supersenior.info site into our website and with more changes still to come.  Our goal is to make the site more user friendly, more informative for our members, and attractive to our advertisers.

•        Address tournament issues – we have come to fully understand the benefit of working together and are very grateful to the National Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO).  The combined efforts were instrumental in restoring the National Indoors to a Level 1 status.

•        Expanded charitable community opportunities – with sizeable donations from our members and the Ralph Grieco Family Fund, the NSMTA was provided the opportunity to provide grants to several organizations in differing amounts totaling $44,500. Here are some of the recipients: the Colonial Charitable Foundation, the Courier’s Kids Foundation, the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA in support of their “After School Enrichment-Tennis Program”, the Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation, the Georgia Tennis Foundation for the Ralph Grieco Memorial Scholarship Fund, A’s and Aces NJTL Foundation in New Orleans, and the Tennis Foundation in St. Petersburg, FL.

•        Expanded NSMTA Invitational Team Series – the 8 successful team events held in the east dramatically increased participation numbers in 2022.  Two of our most widely anticipated events were cancelled due to unforeseen conditions. The grass court event in California was cancelled due to the Wilson Classic moving their date to April from their traditional January/February date.  And sadly, the most awaited joint NWTO-NSMTA team event was cancelled due to the Florida Hurricane and surrounding weather issues ---- but it is rescheduled for April 2023.

So, as we move into 2023 here are some of my reflections and musings.  A sincere thank you to outgoing NSMTA Board member Geoff Cykman for his contributions and insights for the last three years in support of our mission to grow men’s tennis.  Replacing Geoff on the Board will be Caerwyn Evans. He is the Tournament Director of the largest Level 2 USTA National Adult Championship, the Wilson Classic in Palm Desert, California.

Again, I would be remiss if I didn’t express my appreciation to Elizabeth Barnhill and Lois Harris, Co-Presidents, of the NWTO in the joint effort to restore the National Indoors to Level 1 status. Also, we appreciate the willingness of Adam Hutchinson and Rob Gorden, USTA staff members, to work with and listen to both organizations who represent adult age group tournament players.

The final highlight occurred this week with the NSMTA Board approving the sponsorship, control, and expansion of the USTA Men’s Intersectionals.  Beginning in 2023, the Men's Intersectionals playing for the Donoff Cup will be elevated to a Level 2 National Championship status.

Finally, as usual, 2023 will begin with the NSMTA Doubles Classic at Colonial Country Club, Ft. Myers, FL.  There follows the series of events in Florida comprising the Larry Turville Super Senior Grand Prix circuit. On the west coast, the Wilson Classic returns to its traditional date in late January.

I would like to wish everyone a very joyful holiday season with peace and good health in 2023.

Happy Holidays!

Steve Duffel, President

November 2022

Congratulations to the USTA Southern Section for defeating Florida at the USTA Men’s National Intersectionals! The event, called the Keith Donoff Cup, was held at the Bocage Racquet Club in Baton Rouge, LA.  Six Sections competed in this national event bringing together some of the top senior players in the country. As successful as this year’s competition was, I would suggest that the 2023 USTA Men’s National Intersectionals could change several components to broaden its appeal to the Sections and younger players, much as the women have so ably done for years.

For an excellent historical reference check out the article “Intersections: What Is It?” on Teresa Merklin’s “Fiend at Court” website.   The article provides great information on many tennis topics including the Women’s and Men’s National Intersectionals.  This is where the "best senior players" come to compete and represent their Section in a team format. 

As the 2022 tournament season comes to a close, the USTA Level 2 Longboat Key Senior Clay Courts is one of the remaining Level 2 national tournaments for the year. However, it is the beginning event for the next edition of the NSMTA’s Tennis Triple Crown Series.

The NSMTA Triple Crown is comprised of three USTA Level 2 clay court events in Florida. The Longboat Key Tournament (Nov 28-Dec 4, 2022), the NSMTA Triple Crown Event at Emilio Sanchez Academy (Jan 16-22, 2023), and the Raymond James Super Senior Grand Prix (Feb 20-26, 2023) make up the trio.  Players who compete in all 3 events will receive a complimentary NSMTA Triple Crown logoed long sleeve t-shirt. Players who win all three events in their division will also receive an NSMTA Triple Crown logoed vest in addition to any other award provided by the tournaments.

In January 2023, Ft. Myers and Naples, Florida will be the places to be. Below are the dates and locations for the first three major national events in Florida:

NSMTA Doubles Classic (Level 3)
January 3-8, 2023
Colonial Country Club
Ft. Myers, FL

Larry Turville West Coast SSGP (Level 3)
January 9-15, 2023
World of Tennis Club
Naples, FL –

NSMTA Triple Crown Event (part of the NSMTA Triple Crown Series) (Level 2)
January 16-22, 2023
Emilio Sanchez Academy
Naples, FL

Another great event, part of the NSMTA Invitational Team Series is the New Year's Froehling Team Cup, Dec 28-31, 2022, in Stuart, FL.
Please contact Joe Rasgado for further information, or if you wish to be a participant and are not already part of a team.  (954) 326-9499 or joe.rasgado@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving celebrations are looming on the near horizon. It is my hope that we remember what this holiday really means and be grateful for what those who have gone before us have bequeathed to us. We are so fortunate to live in this great country, which I fear we too often take for granted. I hope that we can truly appreciate our many gifts this holiday season!

As always, we much appreciate your support! Our Board of Directors is constantly striving to improve the quality and the experience of men’s tennis across the country. Help us get the word out to your tennis-playing friends that we have nothing but good intentions for our game!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Steve Duffel, President

October 2022

Getting ready for 2023..... never underestimate the benefits of planning.  Now is the time for looking forward to the 2023 Tournament Calendar and the changes surely to be made.

October 1st was the deadline for Level 1,2, and 3’s tournaments to submit their applications to the USTA for review, scheduling and then for approval by the USTA Sanctioning Committee.  Slowly, the USTA is releasing the approved tournaments and building the 2023 calendar.  However, some of the Tournament Directors are slow to submit and complete the required paperwork to put into the search engine Tennis Serve which creates the 2023 Calendar.  As the tournaments are approved and released, they will be posted on the NSMTA website (www.nsmta.net) under the tab Tournament Listings/SSI.

One major change comes in the Level 2 Raymond James St. Petersburg (Feb 20-26, 2023) event.  The tournament is moving across town to the St. Petersburg Tennis Center from the St. Petersburg Country Club and Rick Workman will be the new tournament director.

Two new important announcements:  First, the USTA Men’s Intersectionals playing for the Keith Donoff Cup will begin on November 11th at Bocage Racquet Club in Baton Rouge, LA.  I expect this team competition to be fierce with all the Sections bringing their top players.  The pre-pandemic matches (ages 55-75) saw Southern winning the Cup by one match over Florida.  Again, major changes in format and location will be coming to this event in 2023.

The second announcement, involves the recent very generous donation to the NSMTA by the Ralph Grieco Family Fund.  The NSMTA Board of Directors with input from Kristy Grieco made two distributions totaling $40,000.   First, the NSMTA made a $25,000 charitable grant to the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA in support of their “After School Enrichment – Tennis Program” (www.ymcaatlanta.org/ymca-locations/buckhead/). Second, the NSMTA made a $15,000 grant to the Georgia Tennis Foundation.  This grant was divided into 2 parts.  $6,000 was approved in support of AYTEF-Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation.  And, $9,000 for a Ralph Grieco Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit any male or female high school tennis player in Georgia who will be enrolling in a college and participating on a varsity tennis program in college.

Therefore, as we move into the fall season begin planning for next year’s tournament season.  Keep checking our website for the tournament calendar updates and news releases.  More importantly, thank you for your supporting men’s senior tennis.

Steve Duffel, President NSMTA

September 2022

Most everyone has received the email blast we sent out this week announcing the USTA Adult Competition Committee’s (ACC) decision to return the National Indoor Championships to Level 1 status.  I know both the National Women’s Tennis Organization www.nwto.org  (NWTO) and the National Senior Men’s Tennis Association www.nsmta.net  (NSMTA) Board of Directors urged the ACC to revisit its prior decision to downgrade the National Indoors.  It has been heartening that the ACC has been willing to listen to input from both of our organizations.  The sizeable memberships of both the NWTO and the NSMTA helped provide the traction to make our views heard.  So, every member had a role in bringing about this result..... Thank You!  Your support of these tournaments will help ensure that they remain Level 1’s.

Both organizations have a mission of increasing participation and providing more and better playing opportunities for tournament players.  Next week (Sept 29-Oct 2) the inaugural NWTO-NSMTA Doubles Invitational will be played in Columbus, GA at the Judy and Roger Pearce Cooper Creek facility.  It will be the first time that some of the best senior age group men and women players from ages 65, 70 and 75 have assembled in a team format.  The tournament will consist of over 150+ players who play age group tournaments. Among the participants will be national Gold, Silver and Bronze recipients, International Team Cup players, Level 2 and Level 3 players and yes!!!! even players like myself who just love to play and compete with the some of the best.  There will be eight Men’s teams, eight Women’s teams, and selected players from each team and division to compete in a mixed doubles match.  In addition to the fierce competition, a town hall meeting will be scheduled to listen to the players’ comments on improving the age group tournament experience.

Finally, on the horizon is the resurgence of the USTA Men’s Intersectionals Team Championships competing for the Keith Donoff Cup. It will take place on Nov 10-13, in Baton Rouge, LA at the Bocage Racquet Club.  Participating USTA Sections will showcase their best players in age groups 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 playing a three singles and two doubles format.  The USTA Southern Section is the defending champion barely edging out the USTA Florida team by one match the last time the event was played pre-pandemic.

Be safe, play hard and have fun!

Steve Duffel, NSMTA President

IT' FINALLY HAPPENED!!!!

The transition of www.supersenior.info onto our website has been completed.  Alan Messer’s website creation showing National, Sectional, FL Grand Prix Series, Family and ITF events is now imbedded in our www.nsmta.net website.  To access this wealth of information as a NSMTA member, select SSI and review each of the tabs. The senior national tournament categories are at the top right corner.  Below are the smaller tabs which illustrate events by Sections, Archives for tournament historical references, links to other worldwide tennis sites, tennis vendors and more.....

 NSMTA Board Member Ed Wagner has relentlessly worked with Alan to bring about this vital project for the active tournament player, as well as anyone interested in men’s senior tennis.  The USTA website has a multitude of purposes, but for the avid tournament player it has become extremely cumbersome.  Our goal is to provide a tool that players will not only utilize for planning and entering events, but also to gain ready access to other related tennis topics and vendors.

  A few quick notes:

• The Mas Kimball Memorial Classic, hosted by the Asheville Racquet Club and managed by the extremely efficient tournament director Joe Rasgado, was a huge success with over 100 participants.

• The Ralph Grieco Memorial Classic hosted by the beautiful Hound Ears Club in Boone, NC under the direction of Noble Hendrix was also a huge success.  It was played over four days and came down to the last day to determine a winner.

• Plans are being made for the inaugural National Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO) and NSMTA Invitational Team Tournament in Columbus, GA - Sept 30-Oct 2.  A separate flyer will soon explain the interaction between some of the best men and women age group players in the US.

• Sectional Captains are being solicited for the USTA Men’s Intersectionals playing The Keith Donoff Cup hosted by the Bocage Racquet Club in Baton Rouge, LA - Nov 10-13.  USTA Sections already included are: Southern, Midwest, Florida, Texas, Mid Atlantic, and New England.  The Donoff Cup is one of the most competitive senior events in the United States.  Divisions include 55,60,65,70 and 75.  The match format is 3 singles and 2 doubles.  This is where the “Best of the Best” compete for Sectional pride.  For more information contact: Drew Meyers, drew.meyers.sr@gmail.com or Steve Hayden, dunlopracket@aol.com

• Finally, a huge thank you to Tom Lucci, Kevin Shaw and Sandy Lesiak for all their hard work managing the USA team at the Gordon Trophy Cup, www.gordontrophycup.com.  16 out of 38 players representing the USA team vs. Canada were NSMTA members.  It was great competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie.  It was hosted by the London Hunt Club in London, Ontario.  Unfortunately, the Canadians won by 2 matches.

Play hard and have some fun!

Steve Duffel, President

National Senior Men’s Tennis Association

June 2022

To those of you who are reading this and are not yet members, we say “Give us a try and see what we are about!”  In our last NSMTA Board meeting, we agreed to offer a free 30-day trial membership that would allow potential new members to have full member access to https://nsmta.net.  Once the 30-day period expires, the user is encouraged to sign up for one of our paid memberships.  (They cannot re-signup for the trial membership.) 

 Summer is here, and with it comes not only the heat and humidity, but the increased challenges of higher travelling costs.  Players are having to reevaluate tournament planning and travel decisions.  With this in mind, we expect our upcoming  improvement and expansion of our website capabilities will significantly help our members in their planning. Already, our easy-to-navigate Tournament List and Places To Stay are among our most popular features.

Over the next few months, the NSMTA website will be going through a transformation.  The initial phase of the transformation includes updating the presentation experience and information for the USTA tournament listings and historical information.  The initial change that you will notice in the next couple of weeks is the merger of the https://nsmta.net and https://supersenior.info websites.  We are quite excited that Alan Messer, the creator and administrator of the venerable SuperSenior.info site is working with Ed Wagner, NSMTA Board member, to fold Alan’s website into ours.  After this initial change, there will be continuous updates that unite the look and feel of the two websites into a single cohesive digital experience.  As changes are planned, we will be sharing this information with our members.  And as always, we welcome your feedback!

This month as part of the NSMTA Team Series the Mas Kimball Memorial Team Classic will be held at the Asheville Racquet Club June 30 – July 3.  Each year the NSMTA designates this particular tournament to recognize senior players who have given their time and efforts to improve the senior tennis experience on a national scale.  It is a great three-day prelude to the popular Level 2 90th(!) Ashville Open Tennis Championships which runs July 5-9.  Soon afterwards will be the Ralph Greico NSMTA Team Doubles Classic, July 17-20 in Boone, NC.

Unfortunately, still no word on listings for several upcoming Level 1 events you’ve asked about, after repeated requests to the USTA staff and USTA Adult Competition Committee. (What is going on?)

Stay Safe and Hydrate frequently this summer!

Steve Duffel, President

National Senior Men's Tennis Association

April 2022

BOOM! The spring tennis calendar is in full bloom!  The NSMTA Invitational Team Series continues with the Froehling Cup and the Jerry Kirk Memorial.  In addition, the normally congested National Level 1, 2, and 3 events are almost on back-to-back weeks for the next couple of months.  This year, intermingled in the busy calendar, are the ITF’s Team and Individual World Championships, which are rarely played in the USA. Unfortunately, with so many opportunities to play,  player participation numbers may be diluted in some tournaments which typically have big draws.  Hopefully, the USTA Adult Competition Committee which uses “data profiles” to rate events won’t use that as an excuse to downgrade some tournaments.

     Patience!  “Patience is a virtue,” at least according to what THEY say.  I am hoping that our NSMTA members will be patient with us as we transition from our old web presence to a new personalized active version. Also, we are in the process of finding a new webmaster. The membership platform we use is being updated to correct issues with renewal dates and member categories. Sorry if you happen to be one of those affected! Remember that our website has a Member Directory, which allows you to connect with other members.  For security reasons, we only publish an email contact, which will allow you to pursue any further member connections.

     Great News! The NSMTA has recently partnered with Alan Messer’s wonderful www.supersenior.info website and we will be sharing his data.  Alan, who founded and designed the supersenior.info website, has administered it for many years. He is currently working with Ed Wagner, one of our talented new NSMTA board members, to provide our members with a host of informational links pertinent to the active senior player. Among these will be the most up-to-date calendar for planning your tournament experience.  The new improvements will be mobile phone friendly.  Further, the tabs contained in the website will offer better visuals of dates, levels, surfaces, locations, and archived events.

     In March, the senior tennis community lost two great Hall of Fame players, Graydon Nichols and Jim Nelson.  Please take the time to reflect on their Hall of Fame accomplishments and brief remembrances.

     Finally, just a short report on my meeting with Adam Hutchinson, USTA Senior Adult Manager for Adult Tournaments, in Houston at the National Women’s Tennis Organization annual meeting. First, I was impressed with his presentation at the NWTO meeting. He fielded questions from the women about such topics as upgrading the downgraded National Indoor events, the poor scheduling of several events, the lack of USTA marketing for senior tournaments, and the usual “Tennis Serve” failings.  Adam had only been in his office for 10 days, but gave assurances to all present that he would begin to address their concerns with the USTA Adult Comp Committee and the other USTA staff members. We’ll see….

     I can assure you our Board of Directors is pursuing every avenue to improve the senior tennis competitive experience. We endeavor to expand our website’s interest and informational usefulness to all seniors. Let us know if you have any suggestions.

Cheers!
Steve Duffel

NSMTA President

March 2022

The Florida West Coast swing has ended with great player participation and positive feedback from the competitors. The newly named Larry Turville Super Senior Circuit finished with the Raymond James St. Pete event culminating the NSMTA Triple Crown with 325 competing players.  Eighty-five Players who played in all three Triple Crown tournaments received a long sleeve logoed quarter zip for their support from the NSMTA. 

With the robust spring tournament calendar in full swing, there still seems to be problems with the USTA “Tennis Serve” IT platform.  Even though the program was rolled out over a year ago, they can’t seem to figure out an easy way to let entering players list the name of their doubles partner.  It’s a pain, both with the players and even more so for the tournament directors (TD) who must make phone calls, texts, or emails to the unpaired doubles players so they can manually pair up partners.  In addition, they have not figured out how to instruct the TD’s to use functions in the program to place a 4th team in the semi-final playoff of a round robin doubles format.  Already two Level 2 National tournaments have only had 3 teams in the semifinals, because the TD’s said the program wouldn’t allow them to put the 4th team in the bracket.  It’s been over a year!  “C’mon Man!”.

The Forum tab on the NSMTA website is your opportunity to voice your opinion or give feedback on a particular topic.  One of the best remarks recently came from Winder Bill. He speaks to a topic that both the NSMTA and the National Senior Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO) have issues with. We have both questioned the USTA Adult Comp Committee’s decision to remove the Level 1 Gold Ball status from the National Indoors.  PLEASE log in and take a look and make comments (link).  It would give both organizations some good feedback when we have a scheduled March 22nd sit-down in Houston with the new USTA Senior Manager of Adult Competition.

Finally, a historically great team event has a new venue. The USTA Men’s Intersectional, (The Donnoff Cup) which highlights the best age-group players 55-75 from each USTA Section, will be played November 11-13 at the Bocage Racquet Club, Baton Rouge, LA.  There are 17 USTA Sections.  Last November in Phoenix, the USTA Women’s Intersectional had 13 Sections represented.  NSMTA members who are interested in playing in the Intersectional event should contact their Section Office to find out how teams are organized in their Section. Registration is done by the team captain or Section Office. Each team has between 4 and 7 players.  More information on deadlines will be forthcoming later this summer.

 Again, we at NSMTA sincerely appreciate your support of senior men’s tennis!

Cheers!
Steve Duffel

P.S. The National Women's Tennis Organization website auction to raise funds begins March 22nd (www.32auctions.com/NWTO2022) check it out!!!

February 2022

Happy New Year! Here’s hoping everyone had a great holiday, and are doing well and staying healthy!

The NSMTA is excited to start off the New Year with two new Board members. Both Ed Wagner, recently retired and relocated to St. Pete Beach, FL and Tim Garcia from Santa Fe, NM will be a very welcome addition to the already-seasoned seven other members. Ed brings his extensive IT background and tournament playing experience to the Board. Tim has served on numerous USTA State, Sectional and National Committees coupled with his legal background and top tier tournament play.

Even though we haven’t turned the corner on COVID, the 2022 tournament season has gotten off to a strong start. Unfortunately, the Froehling Cup was postponed till Easter weekend and the hugely popular Wilson Classic until April 1-10.

The Level 3 NSMTA Doubles Classic with 100+ players at Colonial Country Club, Ft. Myers, FL and the Level 2 and Level 3 with 300+ players at Emilio Sanchez Academy were extremely well-received. And, I would be remiss if I didn’t offer kudos to Tournament Directors Jeff Timmer at Colonial and Lucas Regas at the Emilio Sanchez Academy. They ran their events with streamlined efficiency while navigating the USTA’s still poorly designed Tennis Serve Platform. Both staffs were accommodating, the courts were in great condition, and the daily email communication with the players was helpful and accurate.

Five of our nine NSMTA Board Members participated in these first three events on the newly named Larry Turville Super Senior Grand Prix Circuit. We saw this as an opportunity to play, and visit with our members, the players, and tournament staff. Our purpose was to gather valuable input, in line with our mission to help improve the players’ experience at the tournaments and support the host clubs. Now with two of the three NSMTA Triple Crown Events completed, the players are looking forward to the Raymond James St. Petersburg tournament. The deadline for entries is February 10th. Also, the Innsbrook event at Palm Harbor deadline is February 10th.

As a consequence of our interaction with the players and wives, members will soon see changes that will improve our website tournament listings, add additional and enhanced health-related articles, and provide more product discounts.

In closing, I would like to welcome all members of the venerable Super Senior Tennis (SST) organization to the NSMTA membership rolls. Both groups have shared very similar goals; we have simply folded the two into one. The merger went into effect on January 1, 2022. We continue to be passionate about growing the game of tennis and providing opportunities for senior tournament players. It’s the input, energy, and participation of all of you that will enable us to accomplish our goal of making senior tennis a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

December 2021

The year has flown by and it is already time for my December message! I would like to begin by thanking the NSMTA Board members for helping me in 2021 by taking time out of their busy schedules to keep our Association heading in a positive direction. But also on a sad note, I can’t help mentioning the loss of Mas Kimball to pancreatic cancer last month. He was one of our most influential founding board members. He was immensely instrumental in establishing our presence on the web and in so many other areas in the tennis world. He will be greatly missed by all. In addition, I would like to thank everyone who made donations to the NSMTA in memory of Mas.

As we gear up for the New Year, our mission is to improve on our communications with members. We want our website to be more informative in all areas that are applicable and valuable to the active senior player. These include tournament issues, date changes, and results, health-related articles, expanded charitable community opportunities, marketing opportunities that will enhance the experience of the traveling tournament players, and an expanded Invitational Team Series. Also, we are planning one of the most anticipated events for next fall---- a members-only joint team event with the National Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO) in Columbus, GA at the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center.

This past month, we had some exploratory meetings with the NWTO and shared our mutual frustrations with the lack of USTA support for senior tennis. The USTA gives lip service to “Tennis - A Sport for a lifetime”. Our mutual feeling after the meeting, attended by a representative of the USTA Adult Tournament Committee, was not very enlightening.

The first of three Level 2 National events in the NSMTA Triple Crown, just completed at Longboat Key directed by Tom Scovil, was a huge success with almost 400 players participating. The 2nd Triple Crown tournament will be the NSMTA Triple Crown Event at Emilio Sanchez Academy. Finally, the 3rd event will be the Raymond James at St. Petersburg Country Club. Players participating in all 3 events will receive a complimentary long sleeve T-shirt from the NSMTA.

We hope you will start your New Year off right with the Level 3 National NSMTA Doubles Classic being played at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Myers, FL. This will be followed by a series of Florida tournaments in the newly named Larry Turville Super Senior Grand Prix.

And lastly, as we enter the final month of 2021, I would like to wish a very joyful holiday season to all, with peace and good health in 2022!

 Happy Holidays,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

November 2021

The Alexander Graham Bell famous quote, “When one door closes, another opens” characterizes the 2021/2022 tournament scene. As the 2021 tournament season comes to a close, the USTA Level 2 Longboat Key Senior Clay Courts is one of the remaining two national tournaments for the year. However, it is the beginning event for the NSMTA Triple Crown.

The NSMTA Triple Crown is comprised of three USTA Level 2 clay court events in Florida. The Longboat Key Senior Clay Courts (Nov 30-Dec 5, 2021), the West Coast Super Senior Grand Prix @ Emilio Sanchez Academy (Jan 17-22, 2022), and the Raymond James Super Senior Grand Prix in St. Petersburg (Feb 21-27, 2022). Players who compete in all 3 events will receive an NSMTA Triple Crown logoed complimentary long sleeve t-shirt. Players who win all three events in their division will receive an NSMTA Triple Crown logoed vest in addition to any other amenities provided by the tournaments.

In January 2022, Ft. Myers and Naples, Florida will be the place to be. Below are the dates and locations for the first three major national events in Florida:

NSMTA Doubles Classic
January 5-9, 2022
Colonial Country Club
Ft. Myers, FL – Level 3

West Coast Super Senior Grand Prix
January 10-16, 2022
Previously World of Tennis Club, now moved to Emilio Sanchez Academy*
Naples, FL – Level 3

West Coast Super Senior Grand Prix (Triple Crown Event)
January 17-22, 2022
Previously Sherman Oaks, now moved to Emilio Sanchez Academy
Naples, FL – Level 2

Another great event, part of the NSMTA Invitational Team Series, to kick off 2022, is the Froehling's New Year's Team Cup, Dec 31, 2021 - Jan 2, 2022, in Stuart, FL.
Please contact Joe Rasgado for further information or if you wish to be a participant and are not a part of a team at (954) 326-9499 or joe.rasgado@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Let’s remember what this holiday really means, and be grateful for what those who have gone before us have bequeathed to us. We are so fortunate to live in this great country, which I fear we too often take for granted. I hope that we can truly appreciate our many gifts this holiday season!

We appreciate your support, and the Board of Directors are striving to improve the quality and the experience of men’s tennis across the country.

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

September 2021

As a senior in the NSMTA, I personally feel comfortable using the possibly antiquated term “roadmap”. Nowadays, most young people probably have never seen one, used one, or even know what one is. That being said, our more geezer senior members will get my meaning when I say last month our Board of Directors met in Texas to establish an NSMTA Roadmap for 2022.

Our organization has a growing membership. The Board met to revisit our goals and expectations for the coming year. Providing an enhanced tennis experience in a competitive environment can be a herculean task for Tournament Directors, players and volunteers.

The Board proudly noted the enormous appeal of the NSMTA Team Invitational Series on the east coast. We discussed all aspects of the Series and how we needed to continue promoting and improving the quality of the events. We also want to expand the concept to the west coast and other areas of the country. Most of the team events had 70 to 80 participants, who were enthusiastic in their evaluations of the various events.

On another note, as the USTA tournament calendar becomes a bit crowded with postponed spring events merging with established fall tournaments, there has been some fallout. The USTA Men’s Intersectionals (the Donoff Cup), usually played in November, has been canceled. The Level 2 USTA National Men’s 70-75 Indoor in Houston will not be played in November but will be played in 2022 at its usual time. The NSMTA Senior Doubles Championships on Martha’s Vineyard has also been canceled.

Hopefully in 2022 when the Tournament Schedule and the pandemic permits, the Board will be able to reinstitute our charitable programs at some of the major tournaments. This was greatly curtailed in 2021 because of the cancellation of events in several communities where we have participated in the past.

Finally, as an aside, there is a local sports talk show that awards “Game Balls” and “Jockstraps” during the football season every Monday morning. Applying the same formula to tennis.... I would like to award a “Jockstrap” to the USTA Tournament Committee for scheduling the National Men’s 75, 80, 85, 90 Hard Courts in Laguna Woods, California Sept 20-25, and scheduling the National Men’s 70-80 Clay Courts to begin Sept 26-Oct 2 in Virginia Beach, Virginia ....”Come on Man!”. My “Game Ball” goes to the Florida Tennis Association for passing a resolution naming the winter Florida Gran Prix Super Senior Circuit after its founder, Larry Turville.

Arrangements are currently underway to merge the long-standing Super Senior Tennis organization with NSMTA at the end of this year. John Powless was the long-time guiding force behind SST, and recently passed away in Madison, WI. Dick Doss, the current SST President, feels that this is a logical step given that both organizations share the common goal of promoting senior tennis.

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

August 2021

The world is unfolding as we speak, and as usual, it’s a mix. I’ve always loved the old Clint Eastwood film, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” partly because the title sort of covers the whole shebang, doesn’t it?

So the current mix is:

The GOOD…..It’s wonderful to be back playing again during this pandemic…the tournament scene is showing blossoming signs of life…The Larry Turville Classic in Asheville was a huge success due to the herculean efforts of Joe Rasgado…. Other NSMTA Team Series events by Mason Hill, Rich Bruer, and Noble Hendrix, are providing competitive opportunities for our members and prospective members…. Also, we have had some encouraging discussions with the National Women’s Tennis Organization (NWTO) exploring the possibility of some combined events.

The BAD…..We’re apparently not out of the woods yet, with the uncertain effects of the Delta Variant playing havoc with the fall events schedule.

The UGLY…..The failure of the USTA’s Serve Tennis computer platform (which replaced TennisLink) to perform as expected. It has been a disaster for Tournament Directors and both junior and senior tournament players to navigate.

Lastly, I recently attended the USTA Southern Annual Meeting and the Past Presidents’ Luncheon. In attendance was the current USTA President Mike McNulty, the USTA COO Mike Dowse, and USTA Board member Mary Francis. I brought to their attention that there has been a clear lack of USTA support for senior tennis over the last several years. If the USTA tag line is “A Sport for a Lifetime,” why haven’t there been more efforts in marketing, funding, and programming for seniors?

Surprisingly, their response was encouraging – they seemed to understand, and promised improvement in the future. We’ll see…Their primary concern at present is to get the Serve Tennis platform up and running efficiently.

We can all help take care of ourselves and our friends by getting vaccinated. Let’s help create a safe environment, so we can get out and enjoy this game we love so much!

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

May 2021

Mayday! Mayday! This could be a call of distress, reflecting our collective past year. Or, it could be a cry of jubilation that we are at last rounding the bend, and a return to normalcy is on the horizon. That’s what I’m opting for! We’ve certainly been tested by the world’s complex mix of light and shadow!

As the tournament season begins to ramp up there is also a call for “PATIENCE” from the Tournament Directors and the Players in dealing with the USTA’s new Serve Tennis web-based platform. So far, it’s been a very disappointing time for everyone after the multitude of promises from the USTA. Kudos to the Tournament Directors who are having to manually input tournament functions and players having to navigate multiple websites for basic tournament information. From our understanding, a decision will be made soon to either correct the problems or return to the old TDM system. Again, patience is the name of the game.

As part of our team series, the NSMTA has already had several successful team events this spring on the east coast and will begin to replicate this success in other parts of the country. These are non-sanctioned doubles events with an emphasis on team competition, fun, and camaraderie. The teams have been composed of nationally ranked tournament players and league players competing together.

Also, the tournament season is being resuscitated and players beginning to travel to different cities for events, NSMTA members can go to our website and click on “Places to Stay” under the Tournaments tab. We now have a partnership with Stay 22, which can aid in your search for hotels and save you on your expenses. While you are on the website, please take advantage of viewing our up-to-date tournament listings, pro shop items and recent articles for tournament results and nutrition.

We appreciate your support, and the Board of Directors are striving to improve the quality and the experience of men’s tennis across the country.

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

March 2021

A year ago this month, we began to face the stark realization that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to be a serious matter. How serious? We knew something was up when we were told we would have to wear masks to enter the bank or the convenience store. Whaaat? As it turned out, it was deadly serious, literally, and we’ve since endured a year like no other.

On a brighter note, tennis participation in the US increased by 22% in 2020. There’s an interesting article on the subject published by the USTA – US Tennis Participation Surges in 2020. It highlights the increased participation but also has links discussing the substantial benefits of playing (our sanity for one) and guidelines for staying safe and healthy while playing tennis.

Even though the tournament calendar has been shredded by cancellations and postponements, our webmaster has been diligently updating the Tournament List on our website. No small task, but well worth the effort so that members can begin to plan their schedules. As part of the NSMTA Invitational Team Series, Joe Rasgado has been working for months to put together the Froehling Cup in Stuart, FL at the North River Shores Tennis Club. Six teams with over 20 players per team will begin play on Thursday, April 1. Thanks to Joe and all the Team Captains!

The NSMTA bag tags that go out to new and renewing members have been well received, so we are expanding our gifts. Now, 3-year members will also receive an NSMTA logo hat, and 5-year members will receive the bag tags, hat, plus a long-sleeve logo shirt. If you aren’t a member already, click here for more information and to sign up.

For those of you who would like to up your style quotient, check out our Pro Shop for various new items of NSMTA apparel. We would love to have you be our ambassadors and help raise the profile of the NSMTA.

With the spring season here and the Covid vaccination more available, there is hope of a great summer with lots of tennis and no canceled tournaments!

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel
NSMTA President

February 2021

Hello Everyone -

Welcome to the brave new world of 2021, with the vision of better things to come for all of us! I'm starting my term as NSMTA President with the good news that we surpassed our 1000-member goal in January. We want to continue to sustain and grow our membership and find additional ways to serve our members.

One of our Board's matters is whether having the word "Senior" in our name makes appealing to younger, but over age 35 players, more difficult. Maybe 40-year-olds don't really feel that they are "senior" yet. Our sister women's organization, which went for years under the moniker National Senior Women's Tennis Association, recently changed their name to National Women's Tennis Organization for that reason. Whether their name change results in a surge of younger members remains to be seen. Maybe a change in our motto would be a first step: "Let's do great things for men's tennis, together," and omit the word senior.

Among our goals for this year are to foster competition among players on a nationwide basis. That means expanding the number of tournaments we sponsor and endorse. It also means increasing the number of events included in our NSMTA Invitational Team Series, which has been an extremely popular format. This format allows regional events to structure themselves the way they want to and emphasizes the competition's social aspect. Currently, the NSMTA is committed to sponsoring six such events per year, and a seventh is in the planning stages on the West Coast. 

We would also like to expand our Affinity Programs. Most of you know that you can go straight to the Tennis Express website for deals accessed by our homepage. We've also connected with Amazon Smile, which benefits the NSMTA when you make a purchase on Amazon at no cost to you. For those traveling to tournaments, we have recently partnered with Stay 22 which shows multiple accommodation options filtered by budget, room type reviews, and more via a searchable map.

Tournament players have complimented us on how much easier it is to navigate our Tournament List than the information available on the USTA website.  We continue to update it on almost a daily basis as information about cancellations, postponements, and other schedule changes come in.

Our Forum has been active, and we appreciate your participation. We’ve noticed certain themes specifically with the new USTA Tournament structure for 2021, have been hot topics including Local and Sectional Ranking, Eliminating National Indoors as Level 1 (gold ball) events, and the difficulty in using the USTA's tournament search feature. On a positive note, the USTA recently sought out feedback from NSMTA regarding some of the changes they’re implementing. For instance, it turns out that Local and Sectional rankings will still be available.

Hopefully, with your continued suggestions and complaints coming in, we can help them tinker with the system enough to overcome some of the initial issues. We will address some of these issues in an upcoming message. In the meantime, we have to hope that the vaccine's more widespread availability will eventually result in fewer tournament cancellations and a more predictable schedule!

Sincerely,
Steve Duffel  
NSMTA President

December 2020

Healthful Holiday Greetings To One and All!

In this pandemic year of grief and rage and heartbreak and frustration, there have also been glimmers of hope and bravery and generosity and healing. Each year the world becomes a smaller, more interdependent, interconnected place. Covid-19 has brought us up against some stern realities – ones we desperately need to sort out as a global village. 

The world at large could do worse than observe our little microcosm – the tennis world. Herein we seek out challenge and are called upon to draw upon wide-ranging inner resources. We compete with fairness and heart, and meet afterward with a handshake or an elbow bump. And maybe a beer. Our common humanity shines through, and our differences fade into the background. We are truly a global community, sharing ties that transcend national boundaries. 

The Board of Directors held our Annual Meeting this year by means of Zoom sessions over a two-day period earlier in the month. It was a productive time, with our new Board members Tony Dawson, Larry Eichenbaum, and Noble Hendrix hitting the ground running. We even embarked upon a competitive Membership Drive pitting the BOD against the crack team assembled by Noble. Our mutual goal is to arrive at 1000 NSMTA members by year’s end. We are currently at 955 active members. Please help us reach our goal if you’re not already a member or need to renew. (And tell ‘em your membership gets credited to Team BOD!!) For a limited time, all new members will receive an NSMTA hat and bag tag.

Also at the meeting, we welcomed incoming President Steve Duffel, who will assume the reins of NSMTA President on January 1 for a three-year term. I will remain on the Board as President Ex Officio and am indebted to our BOD for their many contributions over the past few years. There is no one better equipped to lead us forward than Steve. (Check out his bio in “About Us” on nsmta.net.) With a full complement of nine Board members now, we are setting up a rotation where three BOD’s come aboard each year, and three who have completed their terms go off.

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Dennis Ralston, NSMTA Honorary Member. Denny was a contemporary of mine, whom it was an inspiration to know off the court, and a nightmare to face from the other side of the net. He did things like win the Wimbledon doubles before he showed up for his freshman year at USC! Can you imagine in today’s world, a player lifting a Wimbledon trophy, and then trundling off to college? You can read his obituary from ATPtour.com.

In addition, you can still contribute to our beloved Larry Turville’s Memorial by clicking here. Depending on the tournament schedule, we’re still hoping to have his Celebration of Life and dedication of the beautiful memorial plaque during the St Petersburg tournament at his home club.

In what is a unique holiday season, I’d like to leave you with sincere wishes for an experience that is genuinely fulfilling! It’s true that there is a lot that’s happened in the last year that is difficult to feel thankful for. But there is a lot more that warrants our gratitude! 

Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season! 

Sincerely,
Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

November 2020

Hello Everyone -

“It was a dark and windy night” when I sat down to compose this letter. (I always wanted to use that opening line.) Daylight Savings is gone, we’ve already had our first snow in New Mexico, and coronavirus cases are spiking again. Uncertainty certainly reigns at the moment, with even some of the early 2021 events having been cancelled. You can check our Tournament List to stay abreast of any schedule changes. The national tournament schedule is already posted.

Our Forum has been busy lately as many of you weigh in on the changes that the USTA is implementing, starting in January. And we’ve loved the stories that have been sent in by you, our members – keep them coming! Or book reviews, instructional articles appropriate to seniors, etc.

In our recent BOD conference call, we took the big step of naming three new members to the Board of Directors. That brings our total on the Board to nine, the number prescribed by our by-laws. We were excited to have such an excellent pool of individuals to choose from. Those named were Tony Dawson, Larry Eichenbaum, and Noble Hendrix for three-year terms. This year we will be doing our Annual Board Retreat by Zoom in December.

The passing of Larry Turville in part prompted our selection of the new Board Members. There will be a celebration of his life and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque with pedestal at the St Petersburg tournament (date TBD). Funds are needed to cover these expenses. If you’d like to contribute, you may click here to go to “How to Donate to the Tribute to Turville Memorial.”

As Thanksgiving draws nigh, I’d like to express my gratitude to all of you who help our game thrive. There are so many of you who have made and continue to make contributions that help shape the great game of tennis. For me, I could never repay what the game has given me. When you see the camaraderie amongst the players, the shared experiences and aspirations, the connectedness that breaks down barriers, you realize that the tennis experience is much more than scores and rankings.

With this message going out shortly after Veterans Day, I’d also like to acknowledge those who have served our country in the military. We truly owe a debt of gratitude to those who have been willing to put their lives on the line to protect our democratic principles.

Sincerely,
Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

September 2020

Hello Everyone -

The US Open is in (weird) progress now, as is much of our world. Will there be another spike, when is a vaccine going to ride to our rescue, and is the world of sport undergoing transformational change? Daily grist for the media mill. In the meantime, we tennis junkies are left with a serious paucity of tournaments to play. But actually, much is afoot in the tennis world, with extensive rule changes being put forth by the USTA and the ITF to be implemented in 2021. Click here for more info.

I’m happy to see the USTA and the ITF tackling the daunting task of reconfiguring the tournament structure. They are responding to the decade-long trend of diminishing participation in tournaments. You can use our Forum to express your reactions to the new formats.

On the NSMTA front, we’re still in full swing. Our goal is to reach the 1,000-member mark by the end of the year, and each one of you can help us achieve this. If you’re already a member, please let your tennis buddies know about us. We want to do great things for senior tennis!

Your participation enriches the NSMTA, and there are a lot of ways to do that. If you’ve been to our website nsmta.net, you know that we have many pages made up of articles by our members. In Literary Lobs, you will find tennis related book reviews. There are great stories in Members’ Musings, accounts of interesting encounters in My Most Memorable Match and inspiring tales in Sportsmanship Stories. If you have a tennis related story to share, please send it to our editor. We also love it when you provide feedback on Tournament Reviews and get discussions going in our Forum.

Go to our Homepage and check out the variety and depth of our features. There are too many to mention all of them here! Members can always go to our archives for articles you may have missed. We also encourage you to shop in our Pro Shop and purchase our reasonably-priced apparel with the NSMTA logo. If there is something you’d like to see in the Pro Shop that we currently do not offer, please let us know.

Don’t forget that you can advertise on our website and make tax-deductible donations to further extend our reach.

We have inaugurated a new membership category that we are calling our Legacy Membership. It is a dues-free membership for those who have reached age 90! Anyone who is still on the right side of the sod at that age is eligible. Our first two Legacy members are long-time players who many of you will have heard of: Joe Beeson and Joe Russell. (For future reference, you do not have to be named “Joe” to qualify for a Legacy.)

I can’t close this letter without mentioning Larry Turville, who is in the fight of his life, battling a virulent cancer. Over many years, he has done so much for our game and has been a workhorse on our NSMTA Board of Directors. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and Kelli in this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

July 2020

Hello Everyone -

Maybe these strange times have some lessons embedded in them. If only we can learn them! As the battle with the virus rages, it brings us face to face with some of the realities of nature. We are not the masters of the universe that we sometimes pretend we are. We’re not even the sole rulers of this planet, and we can’t simply impose our will upon the natural order. And we’re sooo interdependent!

So, what are we to take from this global pandemic that recognizes no borders? That maybe life is even more fragile than we realized, and possibly more precious? That perhaps we need to learn to appreciate the “ordinary” moments rather than waiting for outside events to make us happy? That happiness comes from within, despite the alluring pull of the external world? That although we can’t always avoid the storms in our lives, we can learn to control our responses? That in every moment, the quality of our lives is at stake?

The tennis world is in flux. We, here at NSMTA, are trying to keep you apprised of the various decisions that the major tennis bodies are making. Dates for events are being juggled and cancelled, and guidelines for staying safe and still being able to play are being issued. While the Tournament List is open to members only, we will continue to provide free access to Coronavirus Content, including important news and useful information regarding the virus and its impact on tennis.

We’re putting up new stuff on the website all the time, and continually adding items to the NSMTA Pro Shop, so check in to see what’s new. And if there are apparel items with our logo on them that you’d like to see in our Pro Shop, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

As always, we would love for you to let your tennis buddies know about the NSMTA. Head over to nsmta.net to view our website, learn who we are and become part of our senior men’s tennis organization. We’ve added over 300 new members this year and need the support of every one of you to accomplish our mission.

Look out for an upcoming email from the NSMTA regarding the USTA’s changes regarding tournaments for 2020.

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

May 2020

Hello Everyone -

It’s a new and strange world out there. I hope you and your family have been fortunate enough to stay safe and healthy.

I’m not sure whether we’ll really return to what we used to consider “normal” for a very long time, if ever. For some of you, the new normal includes nicking your fingers while climbing over fences, jimmying (why “jimmy”-ing?) locks on gates, finding walls to use as backboards, sneaking onto private tennis courts, and other activities that reflect serious cases of tennis addiction.

Clubs and courts are showing signs of opening up in the near future, and there are ways to reduce the health risks of playing tennis. Check our website nsmta.net for coronavirus preventative information.

We’ll bring you up to date as tournament tennis reschedules itself. As of today, USTA events and programs are suspended until May 31. Category Is and Super IIs with ITF affiliation are suspended through July 12.

As you probably noticed, we have continued to add new sections to our website. For instance, “Sportsmanship Stories” and “My Most Memorable Match” are recent additions, and we strongly encourage members to contribute.

Please note that access to all pages of our website are currently open to non-members as well as members through at least the end of May. We hope that if you’re a non-member, you’ll like what we’re doing and will join us!​

Another innovation is that we now have an NSMTA Pro Shop. The response has been excellent. We nearly sold out our inventory of quarter-zip embroidered pull-overs the first day! We’ll be adding more items very soon. 

If you’re a member finished 2019 in the U.S. Top 10 or Top 20 in singles or doubles, you should have already received an award bag-tag medallion. By attaching them to your racquet bag, you may be able to intimidate a few opponents! Or not. Also, long-sleeve award shirts are going out to players who have won a Cat I or Cat II in the first quarter of this year.

I want to acknowledge our three most prolific new member recruiters — Joe Rasgado, Mark Vines and Noble Hendrix. They qualify as NSMTA Ambassadors, and we much appreciate their efforts! Our goal is to have 1,000 members by the end of 2020. 

In closing, I hope that this health crisis with all of its global implications can serve to enable us to feel our connectedness better. Maybe it’s forcing us to take a step back and reevaluate the world we’ve been making and leaving to our kids, grandkids, and beyond. The pandemic is blind to national boundaries, religion, station in life, and other human-made distinctions. It attacks Prime Ministers right along with the disenfranchised.

Can we take this opportunity to learn? I fervently hope so.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, wives, grandmas, sisters and aunts. Glad to have Zoom calls so we can all still see and talk with each other!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

March 2020

Hello Everyone -

I wish I could come up with some lighthearted humor about the coronavirus pandemic, but it just doesn’t lend itself to making light of it. The USTA has postponed all events, tournaments, and leagues until April 20th, and some are scrambling to reschedule, possibly in the fall. We’ll keep you posted when new dates come in. Our nsmta.net website contains valuable information about the virus and how to protect yourself and loved ones.

Let’s hope all of us are able to live to play another day….

We would love for members to send us their articles and stories that they think might be of interest. We have recently inaugurated a “Sportsmanship Stories” section, so we’re especially anxious for you to share experiences you might have had in that regard. Our website editor, Paul Fein, will help you polish your submissions if needed.

Don’t forget that our Membership Drive is in effect until the end of this month – we’ll pay you $10 for each new member you recruit and you could qualify to become an NSMTA Ambassador. Joe Rasgado has recruited the most newbies so far. We urge you to renew when your membership comes due and encourage your tennis buddies to do the same!

Speaking of Joe, not only did he successfully put together what will henceforth be named the Froehling Cup in honor of Florida tennis legend Frank Froehling III, this past January. Joe is also hosting the Rasgado Fourth of July Doubles Team Cup in Asheville this summer which is part of our Invitational Team Series. If you think you’d like to invent a new NSMTA Invitational Team Series event, first check the website for suggested formats and information on how to get started. We can help provide support!

NSMTA will be awarding Top Ten medallions to those members who finished in the Top Ten in the national singles or doubles rankings. Steve Duffel will be sending them out when he gets the finalized rankings from the USTA.

Larry Turville reports that the Florida Triple Crown was a success on its maiden voyage. Longboat Key, Naples at Academia Sanchez/Casals, and St Petersburg Category II’s were tied together into a Triple Crown Series. Be sure and give us your feedback if you played in the tournaments and we’ll continue to tweak them to make them even better! (Larry is once again having to undergo cancer treatments, so we’re all pulling for him!) We’re currently working on establishing a Triple Crown in the West for 2021.

In the meantime, stay safe and healthy!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

January 2020

Hello Everyone!

This being my first Prez’s letter of the decade, it seems like it should be more auspicious, compelling, and full of augury than usual. Sorry if I got your hopes up! But what I will do is give you an idea of what your NSMTA has been doing for the last year.

• We inaugurated an Invitational Team Series, putting under one umbrella some already-successful doubles events like the Jerry Kirk Memorial and the Mountain Team Doubles Invitational with new ones like the Gatlin Cup and the Rasgado New Year’s Doubles Team Cup. We hope to develop more of these fun team doubles events in the future.

• Made available a free extensive Tournament Directors Handbook as well as Friend at Court on the website.

• Gave an NSMTA award shirt to any member who won a Category I or II singles or doubles title in 2019.

• Awarded Perpetual Trophies named for our distinguished Honorary Members to winners of our NSMTA Doubles Championship.

• Inaugurated a Triple Crown concept that we partially underwrite, linking groups of three existing tournaments into a grand prix format. Longboat Key, Naples, and St. Pete Cat II’s, and the Wilson in Palm Desert, Pacific Southwest, and Fiesta Bowl Cat II’s are now set up as Triple Crowns, with more to come.

• Increased our traction with the USTA by providing input relating to senior tennis; NSMTA Board Member Mas Kimball also sits on the USTA Adult Competition Committee.

• Will soon be recognizing members who attained a US Top Ten singles or doubles ranking in 2019 with an attractive award medallion that can be attached to a racquet bag (for braggin’ rights!)

• Inaugurated a Community Outreach Program to raise money for local tennis organizations helping underprivileged kids and seniors.

• Set up a grant program to assist clubs in obtaining AED equipment.

• Have provided financial assistance to tournaments that agreed to follow some of the NSMTA guidelines, which include using the round-robin doubles format. 

• Expanded our Tournament List with convenient filters, Tournament Reviews, and Places to Stay. 

• Continually added features to our website – articles by leading tennis writers, various blogs, stories written by members, instructional and health-related articles relevant to seniors, reminiscences, tournament news/photos, and book reviews.  And for a small fee, you can now advertise your tournament on the website. 

Finally, we would love for you to participate in our 2020 membership drive. Most of us know some tennis buddies who are not yet members of NSMTA. We will send you $10 for each new member that you recruit between now and March 31. (They need to name you as their referral.) If you refer five or more new members, you will qualify as an NSMTA Ambassador, and will receive an embroidered vest with our gratitude. 

It’s been gratifying for us on the Board to get so much positive feedback from you, our members. We much appreciate your support, and welcome your input!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

December 2019

Hello Everyone -

This is the time of the year when we tend to look back over the past twelve months and try to figure out whether we got anything worthwhile accomplished. (I think we did!) As usual, the year sort of sped by – they don’t seem to be going any slower these days. Is it because each succeeding year represents a smaller percentage of our total lifetime or what?

At any rate, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have joined us, and to urge any of you who have not yet become members to do so. We need your support! Our numbers help us to gain traction with not only the USTA, but also with potential sponsors, and give us even more talent to draw upon.

As I’ve travelled around to tournaments, and met many of you who I didn’t know before, the more I realize what a band of brothers we are. We share so many common experiences, and even if we’ve never met before, we always have common friends, doubles partners, and teammates. We really are the poster boys for the USTA in the way we embody their old “Sport for a Lifetime” slogan. We’re healthier, more engaged, and leading richer lives than many of our more sedentary contemporaries.

Although we may not have the eye appeal of those amazing players on the ATP and WTA tours, actually I think our games are more relevant to the majority of tennis players. We win with tactics, savvy, and guile, which in many ways is more interesting than watching two youngsters mindlessly beat the crap out of the ball. Our game rewards being present and centered and adaptable – all of which work pretty well off the court too.

So we invite your input – how can we better serve the senior tennis community? We love to hear your stories, many of which you can already read on our website. Have you noticed how diverse our website has become? We love to get your suggestions – “Send us a Message.” And we’d like to invigorate our Forum with topics you’d like to weigh in on.

Before the end of the year, I’ll give you a summary of some of our accomplishments in 2019. I think you’ll be impressed – I was when I saw them all listed in one place. But most of all, I want to thank the members of our Board who have contributed mightily to everything we’ve done. At zero compensation. Mas Kimball, Steve Duffel, Jerry Thomas, Ed Trost, and Larry Turville have all dedicated a lot of time and energy to enabling this organization to take wing. With your support, we can fly higher.

It is with much gratitude and high spirits that I wish all of you a truly joyous holiday season!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

October 2019

We’re excited about some changes to our website (nsmta.net) that will enable us to be more versatile. For instance, we’ll now be able to alert individual members of new material in areas where they have shown interest. As we indicated earlier, some pages will now be available only to members. If you’re currently not a member and would like to continue accessing all of the content, please join us! 

We have recently reached an agreement with MIZUNO to provide a 30% discount to members ordering tennis shoes. We’re also pleased to announce that the NEW BALANCE Team Store is now available to members to shop discounted clothing and shoes. Instructions on how to order from either store are available on the website. 

NSMTA has partnered with several senior events that have received great reviews. Board Member, Larry Turville, is the liaison for what we’re calling the NSMTA Invitational Team Series. It encourages the creation of new regional events, usually doubles and unsanctioned, and the continuance of several events that have been successful in past years.  For example, Noble Hendrix (1hendrix@bellsouth.net) ran his popular Mountain Team Invitational under that umbrella this past summer. Upcoming on the calendar are Bill Gatlin’s (gatlinbill@yahoo.com) event in Daytona in November and Joe Rasgado’s (joe.rasgado@gmail.com) event in January in Fort Lauderdale. In the spring of 2020 the week after the Atlanta Senior Invitational, Rich Bruer (rbruer@tampabay.rr.com) will run the highly successful Jerry Kirk Memorial on Hilton Head Island. We hope to grow these types of competitions so if you’re interested in inaugurating such an event, contact Larry and he can provide guidance (lturville@msn.com).

One of the other features on the website is the Tournament Reviews section. We’d love to get your feedback on the NSMTA-sponsored events that you play. That helps other players decide which events to play in the future and helps Tournament Directors get an idea of what the players like and what might be improved going forward. 

We’d like you to know is that the NSMTA is a qualified charitable 501(c)(3) organization and as such, if you are 70 ½ or older and act before December 31, you and the NSMTA can benefit. Transferring funds from your IRA directly to a qualified charitable organization like the NSMTA allows you to avoid taxes. By transferring any amount up to $100,000 this year, your gift will count against your required minimum distribution (RMD), reducing your income and taxes. You can contact your IRA administrator for instructions.

As our motto says, “Let’s do some great things for senior men’s tennis together!”

Thanks so much for the support so many of you have given us!  See you on the tournament trail!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

August 2019

Well here we are getting toward the end of summer, and as usual, it feels like it’s flying by. Can Christmas decorations be far behind? Your NSMTA Board has been busy, as have several members who have helped us substantially in various endeavors.

Larry Turville has initiated what we’re calling the NSMTA Invitational Team Series, and we’ve already seen a couple of great events this year run by Rich Bruer and Noble Hendrix. And more already on the schedule! So far, they have transpired in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, but we’d like to see the concept extended to other parts of the country. They’re non-sanctioned 3-day team doubles events, usually focusing on the 60 to 75 age groups. You can find out more by checking nsmta.net. And let us know if you would be interested in starting one up!

In the next couple of weeks, our website will be transitioning to “a more robust platform” (techies seem to like to use the word “robust”). At the same time, certain portions of the website will no longer be available to non-members, so please re-up if your membership is expiring!

Please note that you can now advertise on our website for a nominal fee. This might be a way to highlight a tournament, ($75 for the three months leading up to the event) or let people know about a camp or a product.

Special thanks go out to Noble Hendrix and Dave Nash for their efforts in expanding our membership, and Jay Senter (along with Board member Ed Trost) for his work in securing deals for our members with Mizuno and New Balance. Coming soon, there will be a link on our website for accessing these special prices for members.
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Congratulations to those members who have reached the finals of either a Cat I or II National this year. If you haven’t already, you will be receiving a long-sleeve shirt from NSMTA acknowledging your achievement. You be styling now!

Th..th..that’s all folks, for now anyway,

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

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June 2019​

​Hello Everyone –

June is upon us, and the National Senior Men’s Tennis Association is celebrating its year and a half birthday! On the nsmta.net website, you can find out what has taken place lately. And, if your membership has expired, we would love to have you back. It seems to work better if you renew on a PC or desktop, rather than by phone; apparently this is a result of the security measures that are in place.

There has been good feedback concerning the Tournament List – It enables you to filter what you’re looking for by age group, area of the country, surface, date, etc. Also, please use the Places to Stay feature to find accommodations close to the playing site, along with the ability to shop for affordable prices as well. After having played the tournament, you will be able to rate the event on the Tournament Evaluation page.

Mark Winters (mwinters@nsmta.net) has been our website editor for a few months, and everything that’s written goes through him, probably including this missive. We’d love it if you’d like to submit an article, pictures, etc. You can read a veritable plethora of stories written by your fellow-members on the website. In addition to a few member volunteers helping with posting to the website, also newly onboard is Keiko Kimball Gouty. Trained at her father Mas’ knee, her expertise is already making a difference enabling the content to be posted much faster.

I thought I’d mention No Quit Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada, which I observed at the behest of member Les Buck. Their academic/tennis program is incredible, and you can read about it in Les’ article, “No Quit Tennis Academy - An Inspiration.” The organization requires significant funding, and if you know anyone or any company that might be able to contribute, contact Les, which you can also do through the website.

In the works is a Tournament Directors’ Handbook which guides TD’s in organizing a “best practices” tournament. (Thanks especially to Ed Trost, Steve Solomon and Alan Messer for their insights.) It “ain’t that easy”, as most of us know, but it just got easier. It’ll be available soon, again on the website, for free! It’s part of NSMTA’s effort to improve the experience of playing senior tennis.

We are always looking for ways to partner with the NSWTA, the women’s counterpart organization. They’ve existed since 1974. At the moment we’re discussing aging-up points, which the USTA currently vaporizes when you move up into a new age group. Other issues where we hope to provide input to the USTA are the points awarded for round-robin play, and the scheduling of tournaments which conflict with each other. We’re hoping that there may be some common ground for securing advertisers and sponsors for both organizations.

Well, I could go on and on, as I fear I already have, but please remember that this is your organization, and we want you to help us serve you. We as Board Members deeply appreciate the input, support, and assistance that many of you have already provided and look forward to even more.

Thanks,

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

April 2019​
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Thanks so much to those of you who have supported NSMTA in our formative period! It’s been a great experience for me to be able to connect with so many of you fellow senior tennis aficionados. I see more than ever what a band of brothers (and sisters) we are, sharing the love of our game and all the stories that go with it.

So far, your NSMTA Board of Directors, which includes Mas Kimball, Steve Duffel, Jerry Thomas, Ed Trost, Larry Turville, and myself, have been carrying most of the load. My thanks to all of them! Our reach is expanding as we go forward, and it is getting beyond what the six of us can manage effectively. Especially in the running of our website, (nsmta.net) which Mas has handled almost single-handedly, we could use some tech-savvy volunteers to share specific tasks. If you have a skill set that you think might be of benefit to us, please let us know! For instance, we need players to write stories about the tournaments that they play.

The season is still young, but we have already had some successes with our NSMTA doubles format. The Florida tournaments, two in Naples, and one in St Pete, as well as the previous tournament at Martha’s Vineyard, have received very favorable reviews. (See our Tournament Evaluation section on the website; we encourage you to submit reviews!) We will be encouraging more tournaments to adopt it because the round robin guarantees a certain number of matches. Some financial support from NSMTA is available for tournaments willing to use the format. For instance, a new event using the format and run by Mike Nelson in Palm Springs over Labor Day will be inaugurated. In addition, Larry Turville is acting as a NSMTA liaison for some team events that will be coming up in the next few months.

Another innovation will be a section on the website where tournaments can advertise their event. Cost will be $75 for a half-page for a three-month period. Let us know if you’re interested!

We kicked-off our Community Outreach Program in Houston at the 70/75 National Indoor. Keith Christman, who does such a good job as TD of the tournament, designated the local NJTL as the recipient of the players’ donations. Ralph Grieco, whose idea it was, whipped the crowd at the dinner into a frenzy of generosity, and with the matching funds from your NSMTA, Emily Schaefer/NJTL received a check for $1400.

At the end of the 2019 playing year, we plan on awarding Top Twenty medallions to any of our members who rank in the top twenty in the US in the final rankings. So start racking up those points now!! We are currently awarding shirts (quarterly) with the NSMTA logo to members who either win a national Category I or II tournament.

Note: If you’re reading this before April 1, and are interested in playing on a US team at the ITF Super Senior Team Championships in Croatia in September, you must fill out the USTA form ASAP! Find it at usta.com.

We are currently testing out formats for a Forum to be up and running on the website in the near future. We look forward to your weighing in on various topics!

And, th…th..that’s all folks; for now anyway.

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

February 2019
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Most of us tennis players have been dealing with hackers of the tennis variety most of our playing days. However, if you’ve tried to renew your membership or tried to access our nsmta.net website, you know that we’ve been dealing with hackers of a different stripe. We’ve been in the process of repairing the damage and installing better protection, and fortunately, no personal information was accessed. So my question to Mas Kimball, our webmaster, was “Why?” “Probably because they could” was his reply.

At any rate, we still want you to renew if you opted for a 1-year membership last year! If your membership came due during this hack period, it has been extended. We appreciate your support! We are continually adding new features to our website (if only you could get on!) and embarking on new activities.

Most recently, we’ve installed a tournament evaluation capability to the website. It enables you to evaluate various facets of certain tournaments you’ve played. It will serve to let Tournament Directors know what players liked and what they didn’t, it may help you decide what events to play in the future, and it might just help the USTA decide when a particular event needs to be put on notice. You’ll be able to check out evaluations of our recent NSMTA Doubles event and our CAT II event, both held in Naples, FL. (Look for the impressive bios of our Perpetual Trophy honorees on the website.)

We now have an editor, long-time tennis writer Mark Winters of Southern California, to help us manage the articles and stories that are being submitted. Our bloggers, George Wachtel and noted writer Paul Fein, continue to put out thought-provoking posts. And we continue to ask you, our members, for interesting stories and pictures.
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As we head into our second year, we want you to know that this is your organization, and we welcome your input. We’ve accomplished quite a bit in our first year, and look forward to doing even more as we move forward. If you’re not already a member, please join us, and encourage your tennis buddies to do so also!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

December 2018
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I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since we went active! It’s sort of like that age thing – I knew I’d get old. How fast it happened was a bit of a surprise though! So now that I’m looking backward, the past twelve months have surprisingly telescoped into about 6½. I think we got quite a bit done though, and I’m excited about the prospects for the coming year.

First, I want to emphasize how important it is for you, our members, to renew your memberships if you opted for the one-year membership. Already the USTA has used us as a sounding board on certain issues because we represent a voice for men’s senior tennis. The more members we have, the more traction we have. One of the major changes that has been brought about through the joint efforts of the NSMTA, the NSWTA, and the USTA, is the ITF decision to rectify the allocation of points to US tournaments. (Read elsewhere on the website) Michael Hughes, Carolyn Nichols, and Carol Clay were instrumental in bringing this about, and I applaud them.

As you have probably noticed if you’ve been to our website periodically is that we’re adding features all the time. This first year, the website has been open to all comers. Starting January 1, certain features will be available to members only. Namely, the easy-to-use Tournament List, the Places to Stay feature, Marketplace, and everything past the homepage. Send Us a Message, President’s Points, and About Us will remain open.

I’ve got a couple requests for you. If you are already a member, please go to your profile, and make sure that your info is correct. Also, please fill in your shirt size if you haven’t already. If you are a photographer or a writer and will be playing a particular national level tournament, please let us know if you’d like to contribute about 30 pictures and/or a story about the event for the website.

There are a number of things that we have undertaken that I’d like to direct your attention to:
We appreciate Tennis Express being willing to step up as a sponsor, and urge you to hit their button on our website when you’re shopping for anything tennis.

• We will be awarding NSMTA Top Twenty medallion tags at the end of the ranking year in all senior age groups for both Singles and Individual Doubles, based on year-end USTA rankings.

• We will also be awarding NSMTA logo shirts to all member winners and finalists and consolation winners at Cat I and Cat II tournaments.

• In an effort to improve tournaments and make them a better experience, we are putting together our own Tournament Director’s Handbook, which will be available upon request.

• To that same end, we will be providing a Tournament Evaluation capability which will enable us to obtain and make known what tournaments are doing well and not-so-well.

• If you’re going to be running a tournament, you can advertise your event right here on the website. ($75/3 months; Members only)

• Our offer to provide a $500 stipend for any club which runs a national event and does not yet have a defibrillator still stands.

• If you have any tennis-related items that you’d like to buy or sell, Marketplace is your go-to destination.

• We will initiate a NSMTA Community Outreach Program at selected tournaments to enable senior players to contribute funds to a good cause within the community (Ralph Grieco’s idea).

If you’re a writer, send us stories that you think might be of (human) interest to our members. There are some great tales out there waiting to be told! And if you have suggestions, “send us a message!”

I want to thank our wonderful board members ... Mas Kimball, Steve Duffel, Jerry Thomas, Ed Trost, and Larry Turville for the energy, dedication, and expertise that they have brought to this endeavor. It’s been an exciting birthing with more excitement on the horizon.

Best wishes from all of us for a joyful holiday season and healthy New Year!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

November 2018
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It’s been a busy year for NSMTA, marked by some doddering steps and some real accomplishments. Thanks to all of you who have joined us and contributed your support and suggestions! Our intentions are good, and with your help, we’ll keep getting better at serving the senior tennis community.

If you’re reading this, you’ve found our website. We plan on continuing to upgrade its quality, providing more usable information, articles of interest, and hopefully, entertainment. We would like to expand the interaction among members with something like an Open Forum. Also, we’d like to beef up our tournament evaluation capability, which we have already employed at the Martha’s Vineyard NSMTA Doubles (rave reviews). Please note that the Marketplace section has now gone active where you can buy and sell tennis stuff, but as yet few have known about it. So now you know – we’ll see whether it flies or not….

We’re happy that the ITF has just recently upgraded the value of American Cat I and some Cat II tournaments. This will make it possible for American players who would like to compete for ITF World Rankings to do so without having to go to Europe or South America in order to play high point value tournaments. And it should ensure more equitable seeding for American players at international events. There is a blurb from Michael Hughes of the USTA with more information about this elsewhere on the website. We like to think that the strong position taken by the NSMTA, in concert with the NSWTA, helped bring this about.

Another project of which we’re proud is the offer by NSMTA to help fund the purchase of a defibrillator for any club which hosts a Cat I tournament and does not yet have one. Again, there are more details elsewhere on the website. If we were to save just one life, we’ll feel it was money well-spent.

We need your help in getting the word out to your senior tennis buddies that NSMTA exists and is trying to serve their interests. Already, the USTA has reached out to us for suggestions that can help make senior tennis better. As we grow to represent a larger portion of the population of competitive senior tennis players, we will have more traction. As one of our members suggested, if each of us gets two of his buddies to join…

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the NSMTA Doubles Cat III in Naples, FL in early January, and the Wilson Cat II in Palm Springs in late January. They’re run by NSMTA Board Members Larry Turville and Ed Trost respectively. More details to come.

’Til next time ...

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

July 2018
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We on the Board would like to thank all of you who have joined us in the past six months! We now have more than 500 members, and growing. We’d like especially to thank those of you who have joined NSMTA as Founding Members. Enrollment in that category was originally slated to close at the end of June, but it has been suggested that we leave it open until the end of the year, or 100 Founders, whichever comes first.

We as a Board are slowly finding our balance, deciding what projects we should focus on, and which we should table for the time being. We have gotten some valuable feedback and suggestions from you, our members, about what would be the most productive ways to direct our efforts. Keep them coming! Already we were able to get a Cat III sanction from the USTA for an experimental round robin doubles format that was extremely well received in Florida. The next step is to format the points awarded in such events to be compatible with the USTA ranking system.

We recently worked in concert with the National Senior Women’s Association to provide the International Tennis Federation representative for the US (Carol Clay) with suggestions for changes in the ITF policies regarding tournaments in the US. By making joint proposals, our two organizations working together had more traction than either one separately.

Our website so far has been too static with not enough fresh input. We aim to change that so that eventually the site becomes your go-to place for tournament info (including features like what hotels are available at various tournament sites), articles on fitness and training, tennis tales, and more. We’ve got potential, don’t you think? We have several members who have volunteered to write stuff periodically, and which will be appearing right here in the near future. Tell us what you like and don’t like.

Our Board has just approved some financial support for several tournaments both upcoming this year and into early 2019 that attract significant numbers of senior players on both the east and west coasts. Our intention overall is quite simply to help improve the quality of men’s senior competitive tennis. The NSMTA will inaugurate a couple of new doubles events which will feature perpetual trophies in each age group in January, 2019.

Already we feel that we are building trust with the USTA. USTA staff have actually asked us for feedback on a couple issues! In response to suggestions from two of our board members who sit on the USTA Adult Competition Committee, the ranking point system is currently being revisited, and a Tournament Director’s Handbook is in the works that will help TD’s run better tournaments. To hold TD’s feet to the fire a bit, we will implement a way on this website for you to help evaluate certain tournaments that you play.

Another upcoming feature of the website is a “Marketplace” section where buyers and sellers of tennis-related items can be brought together. We as yet have no idea whether it will be well utilized or not, so let us know if you have any suggestions.

Much of our traction with the powers-that-be in senior tennis decision-making will be dependent on whether the NSMTA is perceived as a representative voice of active players. One of our members suggested that we ask each of you to round up two of your tennis playing buddies, and get them to join. So, I’m asking… Together, all of us can ensure that senior tournament tennis does not die a neglectful death!

Jimmy Parker
NSMTA President

Welcome to our NSMTA Website - January 2018

The members of the Board of Directors of our newly formed National Senior Men’s Tennis Association are happy you’ve found us! Our aim is simply to promote senior men’s competitive tennis. We have great ambitions for this website and our association, and in fact will be looking to you, our members, to help provide ideas and suggestions regarding the kind of content and activities that you would consider valuable. Maybe we can even recruit you to provide some of the content itself! Are you a writer, photographer, blogger, etc. who would be interested in contributing your talents to making our website even better?

Our fledgling organization has roots which go back much further than ours as we have been inspired by what the senior women have been able to achieve since the founding of their organization (the NSWTA) back in 1977. They have been urging us to get off our male butts and get organized, so that between the two organizations, we can better represent the voices of senior competitive tennis in the US. Some of you may be familiar with Super Senior Tennis (SST), which was founded shortly after WWII to promote tennis for players over 55. John Powless, the true dean of men’s senior tennis, has ably carried that banner for many years. We have also been inspired by the insightful work of individuals like Carolyn Nichols and Alan Messer who have almost single-handedly developed websites devoted to our game. No account of our beginnings would be complete without mentioning Steve Solomon, who has advocated for senior tennis in a myriad of creative ways for many years, and in many capacities. And bloggers like George Wachtel have been of immense help in getting us started.

We are inviting players in age groups all the way from 35 & over to the “Wimbledon-in-the-Sky” (Hey, Gardnar Mulloy made it to age 103, and he played to almost 100!) to join us. As we go forward, we will be looking for two additional Board members who can represent some of the younger age divisions. If you’re interested, please let us know! We also ask that you let your tennis-playing friends know about us and urge them to join as well. It’s important that we get as many players as possible to join, because the more members we have, the more weight our suggestions to the USTA on behalf of senior players will carry. (Two of our NSMTA Board Members, Mas Kimball and Ed Trost, sit on the USTA Adult Competition Committee.)

Another feature of our website is an interactive forum where you can make comments and get feedback from your fellow members. Of course we will have tournament schedules and results, pictures, and articles. Maybe you’re interested in how you can keep that aging body of yours more flexible, free of injury, or just plain healthier. Maybe you’ve got questions about specific injuries. Possibly you’d enjoy a walk back in time, to revisit some events from 25 or more years ago. Maybe you’re looking for a discount from some of the companies that will come onboard as sponsors or you’d like to read stories about the interesting lives of some of our members. Maybe you’re looking for that perfect drill that will totally transform your game. (Well, there ain’t no such thang, but hopefully you get the idea that there’s a lot of potential here.) We are looking for your suggestions on articles and content.

Already we’re sponsoring a Cat3 in Florida with an innovative format that kicks off the familiar January Super Senior Grand Prix in Florida. Board Member Larry Turville is spearheading that event. We’re involved with the largest senior tournament in the U.S.– the Wilson Cat2 in Palm Springs also in January, run by NSMTA Board Member Ed Trost. We’ll always be looking for your feedback during and after tournaments so that we can refine the elements that make an event appealing.

So thanks for joining us in this ambitious endeavor – we’re looking forward to the good things that will come out of it!

Jimmy Parker, President
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Duffel
Mas Kimball
Jerry Thomas
Ed Trost
Larry Turville