YAHOO for National Showcase Series!

We've been keeping a gigantic secret since at least last August (& I'm not good at keeping secrets so that's saying something!!)---At last, we can speak openly about the exciting National Showcase Series for 2013!!! We got the heads-up earlier this week from our friend Julie (love her name) Wrege at Tennis Recruiting Network that the announcement would FINALLY be made so YAY for that.

You can find answers to your ranking and all other questions at the TennisRecruiting.net site (we just want you to be aware of the showcase & to let you where we'll be!) but suffice it to say that we FULLY SUPPORT this brilliant solution for two very good reasons:
 

1) They recognized that players would be left behind as a result of the USTA changes; and

2) They stepped UP on behalf of those players by offering them a CHOICE: Let the PLAYERS PLAY and let the parents decide WHERE THE PLAYERS PLAY!!!

We've already added FOUR events to our 2013 calendar---hoping to add more--but we'll be offering our popular video services at THREE out of the first FIVE events!!! The showcase kicks off very soon with the Costa Mesa Open Classic in Costa Mesa, CA for BG18s (which starts on 12/26). That's great for players on the west coast -- but it's also waaay too far awaaay for your HIGH-TECH friends who <HEART> the Southern Section.

Fortunately, the very next event is the Georgia/Alabama Open in Dothan, AL for BG18-186s (which starts on 3/30). We're EXTRA excited to return to the Westgate Tennis Center for the first time in at least 3-4 years..since the demise of the National Open for BG14s that was always so much fun in February. TD Don Bryan is one of the good guys who gets it - check out his response when I contacted him via email to ask permission to offer video services during the tournament:

"Of course. If there's anything you need, just let us know.
See you soon!"

What about the very next showcase event? The Bluegrass Spring Junior Open in Louisville, KY for BG18-12s (which starts on 4/6). If you know us, you know how much we LOVE our home-away-from-home at The Tennis Club at Springhurst. TD (& tennis father) Chris Mather is absolutely one of the best - he TOTALLY gets it - check out his response a few years ago after we offered video services during his tournament:
 

"What an awesome video service for tournament players!!
If you have YET to get a video of your match, you should know that HIGH-TECH TENNIS is the BEST!! Video is such a great learning tool --- so look them up at your next Southern tournament!!"

We'll have to skip the next showcase event, which is the Ojai Junior Tennis Tournament in Ojai, CA for G18s & BG16-14s (which starts on 4/26). Again, great for players on the west coast but not so much for HIGH-TECH friends...but the North Georgia Open in Rome, GA for BG18-12s (which starts on 5/25) is right up the road!! We haven't been to Rome in YEARS but when I contacted TD Robert Sasseville for permission?

"I don't anticipate a problem with your filming at that event."

Our schedule is jam-packed during the summer but we'll revisit the showcase for the Bluegrass Fall Junior Open in Louisville, KY for BG18-12s (which starts on 9/21).
 

Let the PLAYERS PLAY and let the parents decide WHERE THE PLAYERS PLAY? This brilliant solution has our FULL support & we'll do whatever we can to make it successful!

You can believe me when I say WE KNOW crappy tournaments...
If we're going, it ain't crappy (been there, done that)!!! Just as in all walks of life, ALL TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL---enough said.

 Meantime, we're spending a few quiet weeks in paradise... We're doing loads of planning for our 2013 calendar which includes several USTA events (mostly in Mobile & Louisville), several National Showcase Series events, several weekends at the National High School Tennis Team Championships, several Experience Tennis Technology events, several HIGH-TECH SPORTS VIDEO events...
We can't wait to see YOU on video in 2013!

On a personal note....

Hearing the news about little kids being murdered in their elementary school classrooms felt a little like hearing about 9/11..
Shock, disbelief, anger & extreme sadness..
Then we went to war to get revenge..
So I guess we'll be going to war soon..?
So many are dealing with such unimaginable pain today..
Moving forward with mundane tasks seems trivial & insensitive..
Wish we could find a way to live in the world without senselessly killing each other.. :( Sending much love to comfort those affected by recent tragedy in CT...
May the sweet victims rest in peace with the angels forever.

The Doctor is IN :)

"HIGH-TECH TENNIS is about so much more than just pressing the RECORD button!"

I remember the first time I said those words to Danny. He focuses so completely on cameras, court numbers & a million little technical details (especially at tournaments) so that we can deliver a complete, high quality video to each customer and I'm not sure he paid much attention to me (grrr). But since I'm the one who interacts with people (which I really do like!), I'm the one who gets to know the players & the parents...& I get involved in lots of little dramas that take place during & after tournaments. I'm certainly not a coach (not even a player!) - but sometimes I feel like I'm a counselor!!! WHY WOULD I SAY THAT?? Well, consider just a few of the recent tennis academy questions that have come my way:

• "After talking to you for the past 10 minutes, I really feel like you understand what's important & you share my values. We're considering a move in the next six months. Which academy in the Southern Section would YOU recommend?"
• "We're considering sending my 14-year-old daughter to stay with this coach and attend his academy. Since you live in the state where this academy is located (& we live in a different state), what do you think about this idea?"
• "I've been checking into various academies for my son but they're all so expensive! Do you think $3200 per month is reasonable?"
• "Why does it seem like everyone belongs to an academy these days?? My daughter doesn't - and she doesn't WANT to - but now I'm wondering if there something wrong with her (and us) because we have no interest in her playing tennis for 5-6 hours every day!"
• "Tennis is a big part of my daughter's life - but tennis is NOT her life! I want her to be more than just a tennis kid. We want her to be a good person who's also a good tennis player. Are we crazy?"

Or how about these random questions:

• "Could you give me some advice regarding my son's recruit video? I trust you and I'd really appreciate your guidance here."
• "Why is my daughter playing like crap??? I did NOT get up at 4AM and drive 6 hours for this!!" Note that her daughter was competing in a third-set tiebreaker in the Round of 16 at a recent tournament (she did win the match but lost in the quarterfinals of the main draw).
• "What should I do about my mom getting so mad when I lose?? I'm trying my best but I know she doesn't believe that!! I feel really bad about myself when I lose..and she just makes me feel so much worse!!"

And please do not get me started on the abusive father at the Orange Bowl. Notice the lack of outrage - it's kinda like "ho-hum...what else is new...nothing to see here...let's move on." Danny and I decided long ago that if we had to operate our business in Florida, we could not be in this business. Florida is TOXIC & we refuse to even put ourselves in that atmosphere. But we're adults & we make our own choices...the young players don't have those luxuries. :(

On a related subject, it was last March when we first learned about the massive changes that are coming to junior tennis. We fought back, we watched parents, coaches & others fight back, we've followed the fights, the exploding blogs, the name-calling & on & on. Our position is & has always been: We don't have to like the changes (& we sure don't--we think they'll be bad for junior tennis & we KNOW they'll be bad for HIGH-TECH TENNIS) but we do have to accept them. So we'll move forward with HIGH-TECH TENNIS & SPORTS VIDEO... Basically we'll keep using video to help junior athletes improve their skills & stay focused on something positive - like a sport - so they can avoid dead-end choices & other bad decisions that will limit their chance to have a successful life.
We'd love to help them ALL get to college because we feel a college degree means a BRIGHTER future...but we certainly know that college isn't for everyone. At the end of the day, we're determined to make a difference.

Many of you know that I've been inspired by my friend Elizabeth Edwards, who died two years ago today: 

"I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious.
And for that I am grateful." 

May you rest in peace forever, EE. 

Thank you for supporting & caring about what happens to HIGH-TECH TENNIS! Remember that our video cameras will be looking for YOU!