Arkansas Tennis Association -

Summer is in session! It's important to watch over yourself when playing tennis in hot conditions. Check out a few of these tips so you can "beat the heat" this summer! https://www.usta.com/en/home/improve/tennis-health---fitness/national/beat-the-heat--cooling-and-hydration-tips-for-tennis-players.html

The Pinnacle Country Club Junior Championships is set to take place this weekend! This Junior Circuit is offering play opportunities for 10U, 12U, 14U, & 16U players. Registration closes on June 11 at 4:59 PM. Register here https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/pinnacle-country-club/Tournaments/overview/81FFE2BD-93D5-44B5-98EB-B22F24AC73EC

The USTA Arkansas Award nominations are OPEN! Now's your chance to shine the spotlight on those who make a difference on the court. Nominate an individual, event, or program on the link below. https://southerntennis.info/awards It's time to show our appreciation for our tennis community! #arktennis

🗣️ Fort Smith friends! Not one, but TWO Tennis Apprentice classes have been scheduled at Creekmore Tennis Center. Tag a friend you think would be interested in starting the sport of a lifetime! Saturdays from 8:00-9:00 AM, Starting June 29 Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 PM, Starting July 10 Click on the link below to register ⬇️ https://form.jotform.com/233303924520952 #playtennis #arktennis

🎾 Calling all tennis enthusiasts! 🎾 We are committed to expanding tennis playing opportunities for players of all ages and to do that we need your help! Be a part of the USTA Arkansas Volunteer Crew to help at local events like Junior Team Tennis matches, Adult League events, community play days, Team Challenges, and tournaments. Fill out the form below if you're interested https://form.jotform.com/13450639139

Congratulations to the USTA Arkansas May Good Chase Sportsmanship winner - Charlie Crandall! 👏 USTA Southern has partnered with Match Tennis App to highlight junior tennis athletes who display exemplary sportsmanship. Join in the Good Chase and vote for those specific players to earn prizes and even a chance to go to the US Open and 4 other Professional Tennis Tournament Experiences! 🎾 https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/youth-tennis/programs/southern/good-chase-sportsmanship-race-for-juniors.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3tr6F8x5MfesThDw-wcWcNOLVov70m6L96hDpBg5uD6h6VyisOKKCd5FA_aem_AarnFZC6NSlIBFNq6KndrSazgXryzChjVByI53CTpbozILHs_wYG9AAt-p_RJroMSOBNvMD0MYHd42WvUxd0Scvw#tab=tournaments

NEW TENNIS APPRENTICE CLASS IN LITTLE ROCK! Start the sport of a lifetime this month! Details below Every Wednesday for 8 weeks Start date - June 19 8:00 PM-9:00 PM Click on the link below to register https://form.jotform.com/233303924520952 #playtennis #arktennis

🗣 Shoutout to our female Adult League Captain of the month for June, Nastassja Riley (Elkins)! Team captains are a key component of our adult league program. They devote their free time to organizing and managing teams. Our leagues would not be as successful if it were not for people like Nastassja. We appreciate her and all of our league captains! 🙌 #captainofthemonth #arktennis

Closing out #NationalTennisMonth with our last player spotlight, Debbie Carr! 💫 Debbie's journey with tennis began when she met Jimmy Carr in 2020. Losing her husband a year prior, she was intrigued by Jimmy and his cowboy tennis persona. A few months later, she accompanied him on her first of many trips to Burns Park for a tennis tournament. As time passed, he began teaching her how to play tennis. Jimmy had been a college player and tennis pro back in the day. By the Fall of 2021, they tied the knot! After having never competed in the sport, she has fallen in love with playing tennis and the fun of competition. #LoveOnTheCourt #NTM #playtennis

Tournaments going on this weekend! Juniors: Level 6 - Bentonville Junior Summer Sizzler Registration closes June 5 at 4:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/bentonvilleparksandrecreation/Tournaments/overview/21E59C68-D057-4AB8-88CA-393E9FBBE9CE Adults: Level 6 - CTC Adult Summer Classic Registration closes June 4 at 11:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/ConwayTennisCenter/Tournaments/overview/7AEAE3EC-F949-42CD-919D-98DE605A4970 Level 7 - Project Compassion One Day Registration closes June 3 at 4:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/western-arkansas-tennis-association/Tournaments/overview/6F436E5A-F3F2-4F64-8366-C6258E22C165 Unsanctioned - Matrix Summer Open Registration closes June 3 at 4:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/matrixracquetclub/Tournaments/overview/6B259983-7799-4F4E-9C5A-C78634D9F983 #PLAYTENNIS #arktennis

Congratulations to the USTA Arkansas April Good Chase Sportsmanship winner - Harrison Deer! 👏 USTA Southern has partnered with Match Tennis App to highlight junior tennis athletes who display exemplary sportsmanship. Join in the Good Chase and vote for those specific players to earn prizes and even a chance to go to the US Open and 4 other Professional Tennis Tournament Experiences! 🎾 https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/youth-tennis/programs/southern/good-chase-sportsmanship-race-for-juniors.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3ry0dvvyeoErxUOcoi-57gDbPBdqKO2250yeOWq0zPP4TiQ3NWiCQJEfE_aem_ASV473wYtdNr40qhhl_WqI-AQOZLYbnJ8KRtOIVq7f9u929eXZJGDxYmlJ3tOTaVUYQ1EDDV81IEMB8GFQu50QNX#tab=tournaments

Player spotlight alert! Meet Martinez (Rolando) Dupree from Little Rock! Martinez was recently diagnosed with left-sided heart failure. A normal EF is 55% and he was operating and playing on a heart with only a 12% EF. The stats say he should be sidelined with no play or running, but he still shows up and tries his best! Introduced to tennis by Cheiko Stewart, Martinez found inspiration in icons like the Williams sisters, Rafael Nadal, and the great Roger Federer. It's the sheer joy and mental challenge of the game that keeps him coming back for more. For Martinez, tennis isn't just a sport, it's a lesson in problem-solving and resilience. He is super grateful for the sport! #NationalTennisMonth #NTM #arktennis #playtennis

IT'S SUMMER TIME! ☀️🤩 Check out just a few of the camps going on in the state ⬇️⬇️ https://www.arktennis.com/article/1552389 #PLAYTENNIS #arktennis 🎾

NEW TENNIS APPRENTICE CLASS IN SHERWOOD! Saturdays, starting June 8 9:00 AM-10:30 AM Henson Tennis Center Spread the word! #playtennis Register here --> https://form.jotform.com/233303924520952

🎾 SUMMER CAMP GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎾 Nike Sports presents an exciting opportunity for junior tennis players! This summer, they will be hosting camps at the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University. And guess what? We're giving away a one-day camp registration for each location! Want to seize this chance for your young athlete to experience a day filled with tennis fun and learning? Here's how to enter: 1. Like this post. 2. Share this post on your Facebook feed. 3. Comment below with your child's favorite tennis tournament they've played in. Bonus Entry: Tag three of your friends who also have kids playing tennis! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to elevate your child's tennis journey with Nike Sports! 🌟 WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN AND ANNOUNCED THIS FRIDAY!

Let's shine our next player spotlight on Brandi Watts (Little Rock)! Back in 2016, Brandi's college roommate invited her to watch her play tennis at Rebsamen. Mesmerized by her roommate's skill and joy on the court, Brandi embarked on her tennis journey through the Tennis Apprentice program. Since then, tennis has become more than just a pastime for her; it's a passion that keeps her active and connected. Beyond the game itself, Brandi has found a vibrant community where friendships flourish, and advice flows freely. The memories she's made are countless, each one a testament to the joy she finds in the sport. One of the aspects Brandi treasures most about tennis is its inclusivity. Encouraged by the supportive atmosphere, she's ventured into tournaments statewide, met many people in different cities, and competed in multiple sectional events. The USTA Arkansas office has been a reliable ally whenever she's sought guidance, offering prompt assistance. See what a friend had to say about her --" She is such an asset and is an essential form of glue to our tennis community. Brandi actively motivates me and many players to see past the two sets we typically have with our fellow players and to build bonds off the court. I know that I will always have a cheerleader, a dependable deuce player, and motherly support throughout my matches. Thus saying, Brandi nurtures our community members on and off the court. I have met so many players across various levels thanks to her.”

Congratulations to Joseph Patton on a successful weekend at a Level 2 tournament in Overland Park, Kansas! Boys 18s singles finalist AND boys 18s doubles champion! So proud of you, Joseph!

Tournament opportunities this weekend! See below! Juniors-- Level 7: Shadow Valley Summer Kickoff Tournament Registration closes May 22 at 4:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/shadowvalleycountryclub/Tournaments/overview/C7C7C6F9-071A-408F-82B0-F81ED9C35490 Junior Circuit: Shadow Valley Summer Doubles Circuit - 12U, 14U, 16U Yellow Registration closes May 22 at 4:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/shadowvalleycountryclub/Tournaments/overview/E810A96D-32C2-4FDB-86FB-E2121DAB008E Adults-- Level 5 Open: TCBY Otter Creek Memorial Day Tournament Registration closes May 21 at 8:59 PM https://playtennis.usta.com/competitions/otter-creek-racquet-club/Tournaments/overview/25B31BDE-D5D2-470F-A98B-9ABD7F61A45C #PLAYTENNIS #arktennis

The 18 & Over spring season ends on May 29th. ⏰ Captains, have all of your team's matches been played? 🎾

Our next player spotlight is twin brothers! We'd like to introduce Emanuel and Tevin McGee from Jonesboro, AR. Emanuel and Tevin began playing tennis about 3 years ago. Emanuel and Tevin’s enthusiasm for the sport has led them to grow tennis in many ways, like attracting a demographic of young males—long overdue in the NEA area. Emanuel has transitioned into a coach and Tevin is actively running social leagues in the area. Both have excelled in adult league play and have already won state championships. Emanuel’s journey into tennis was spurred by his fiancée's initiative, leading them to a Tennis Apprentice class led by Jim Merriman. His enthusiasm for the competition and exercise of the sport has kept him hooked and reminds him of the thrill he felt with high school sports. He also enjoys the community aspect of it and says that it's “unmatched!” Emanuel has met many amazing people through the sport. He says it's great to see the Jonesboro tennis community not only growing but also thriving! Tevin’s introduction to the sport was through his brother, Emanuel, and his fiancée. Tevin and his wife were taken to the courts by them, making them instantly fall in love with the game – it was something they all could do together. For him, community tennis and the endless avenues for growth and improvement is what makes the sport special. Tevin loves that it’s a lifelong sport and no matter what age you are, there is a community for you. These two are on FIRE for the game and have brought many friends along the way. Thanks, Emanuel and Tevin!