Tennis Ball

CONTACT:



TELEPHONE: 602-999-2147





edgell@cox.net

Phoenix Tennis Center is my home away from home!



Welcome


You have landed on my tennis page and this page is all about my tennis life.


January 2023 Update

I have left the USTA and the league teams and now work on my tennis game for aerobics and fun. Three times a week I meet with a group at a local park with four tennis courts (Granada Park in Phoenix). We don't play matches because there is too much standing around. We prefer to rally and smash the ball while working on our techniques. I call it smash and trash (our official name is 'Smashball') because while playing there is a lot of fun trash talk. Can't think of a better way to start the day than with exercise and laughter. We go about two hours from 7am to 9am. We needed a name for our group so came up with the name: 'Granada Goats.' We even have a stuffed mascot.





Background on my tennis

I actually became a fan of tennis many, many years ago. For some reason, I left the sport to pursue golf and indoor soccer.  In 2007 I picked up a racket and life has been different ever since.  In 2009 I joined the United States Tennis Association (U.S.T.A.) and began playing in leagues.  In 2010 my team went to Sectionals (regionals) and we won: then on to Nationals where we came in fourth place.  Since then I have been to several sectionals and a few more Nationals.

Tennis Teams Sectionals/Nationals


In 2015 when I constructed this page I was on five teams: one men's five court, two mixed doubles and two 65+ teams. Here is the explanation of that year. "The way I got on two 65+ teams is interesting. In the summer of 2015 in Minneapolis I was joining a large group on Saturday mornings for fun competition. One of the captains asked me if I would join their 65+ team and assured me that they would be going to Nationals. I played a few matches, qualified for their team and the Natiionals were held in April 2016 at a Phoenix suburb facility. When I got back to Phoenix in August, a good friend asked me to join their 65+ team and help them win Sectionals. We checked with the U.S.T.A and they approved: allowing me to be on two 65+ teams. The only caveat was that if the Phoenix team also qualified for Nationals, I would have to declare my allegiance. No problem. I had committed to the Minnesota team and the Phoenix team took me on knowing I would stay with Minnesota for Nationals."



Becoming involved with tennis has brought many rewards besides the fun competition. I currently head the volunteer committee for the Phoenix Tennis Center. I have personally designed and programmed their web site. http://phoenixtenniscenter.net

This past year, 2018, I took on the task of raising money for new tennis court scorecards and in one week we had raised the $3,000 needed to purchase the scorecards.

 




CURRENT TENNIS ACTIVITY:



I have reduced my league play and now Captain a U.S.T.A. mixed league out of the Phoenix Tennis Center. My other tennis activity involves two casual groups: one on Tuesday evening and one on Thursday evening. They are looked on as more of a fun 'practice your skills' evenings.

My way of giving back to tennis is to conduct a 3 1/2 hour Adult tennis clinic on Sunday afternoons. It is a drop-in clinic so the number of Adults showing up can range from ten to 18. I have a helper and we both volunteer our time to teach and encourage young and old adults to be more involved in tennis. We have a few success stories where the students have gone on to compete in U.S.T.A. leagues. I also provide private lessons on some Saturdays.

I am very proud to be associated with the Phoenix Tennis Center. After many decades of serving the community (since 1966), the Phoenix Tennis Center went through a $4 million renovation in 2015: meaning destroy everything to the ground and build. Here is the renovation.


Restoration Photo Gallery