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Playing Tennis as an Adult: Former Atlanta Falcon player Brian Finneran, plus US Open Chief Umpire Andrew Walker

Talking Tennis Southern Style

Release Date: 10/26/2023

Former USPTA CEO John Embree talks about his USTA League leadership show art Former USPTA CEO John Embree talks about his USTA League leadership

Talking Tennis Southern Style

In the first of a two-part series, John Embree reminisces about working as the first head of the USTA League and the NTRP system governing all USTA League players 44 years later. He explained that the goal of having one system for all adult players was considered unreachable when it was first proposed. He added, “One of the attractions about the USTA League program is that we have sectional and national championships.” In our second podcast with John, he outlines his 11 years as the United States Professional Tennis Association CEO until his retirement this year.

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Open Tennis Fest in Tennessee with Sara Barnett; Charles Allen starts a high-energy, crowd-friendly format show art Open Tennis Fest in Tennessee with Sara Barnett; Charles Allen starts a high-energy, crowd-friendly format

Talking Tennis Southern Style

When she headed up as President, Sara Barnett showed off her organizational skills. Now, Sara put together Open Tennis Fest events in her hometown of Jackson. She said they players like high-intensity competition and play of a special brand of the game of triples. Talk about new formats, Charles Allen is breaking all sorts of tennis rules and conventions with . Instead of sets and matches, this new fan-friendly format has bolts and surges. With 10 seconds and only one serve, the play is fast and furious with fans cheering at any time. Georgia Tech and...

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Mercer tennis player outlines donation program show art Mercer tennis player outlines donation program

Talking Tennis Southern Style

Cameron Douthit excelled on the Georgia tennis courts and in the classroom. Ranked as high as No. 5 in his state’s junior ranking, Cameron won back-to-back individual state championships. Plus, he took nearly two dozen advanced placement courses at the Stratford Academy in Macon, Ga. He applauded his high school coach, Southern Tennis Hall of Famer and Southern Tennis Foundation Director, Development & Operations Jaime Kaplan. He also used his community hours to collect and donate tennis can metal tops to the Ronald McDonald House. Listen to the Mercer freshman who is looking...

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Growing Tennis On Campus at UNC-CH show art Growing Tennis On Campus at UNC-CH

Talking Tennis Southern Style

John Hankinson’s travel with his University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Tennis On Campus team has already accumulated more miles than his years playing junior tournaments. He has played in numerous Southern TOC Championships and two National TOC Championships and heads up a massive contingent of players at Chapel Hill, where over 190 students have tried out for the team. He’s led the Tar Heel TOC Club team to support a grassroots fundraising tennis program, he’s competed at the USTA Adaptive Tennis Championships with one of his classmates and organized alumni matches on campus....

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TV personality Karen Graham co-founded company serving Deaf community show art TV personality Karen Graham co-founded company serving Deaf community

Talking Tennis Southern Style

“Talking Tennis Southern Style” host Sam Crenshaw reconnected with a long-time friend and fellow TV journalist when he interviewed Karen Graham, a mainstay on Atlanta’s Fox 5. A three-time Emmy award winner, Karen co-founded Sign1News, which serves the Deaf community with captioned news and sports on its website. She talks about learning signing at an early age and how she incorporates that skill in expanding her company’s many-faceted communication assets. A dedicated tennis player in the hotbed of recreational tennis, Karen can be seen on courts in and around the Georgia capital....

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Jamie Hunt starts as third coach in Georgia’s men’s tennis show art Jamie Hunt starts as third coach in Georgia’s men’s tennis

Talking Tennis Southern Style

In our second episode this month, that concentrates on college coaching, we spotlight Jamie Hunt, the third coach in UGA men’s tennis history, who starts in his new post this year. Jamie, who was a member of the 2007-08 Georgia champion teams, talks about the legacy of Dan Magill and his tutelage under Manny Diaz, both Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductees. Saying he could write a book with all of the notes he’s taken in his seven years as associate head coach, he extolls Diaz and how the former coach prepared him for the head coach job.

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Louisville’s Mark Beckham on college coaching show art Louisville’s Mark Beckham on college coaching

Talking Tennis Southern Style

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Beckham, who shares his inspiring journey from college tennis player to head coach of the women’s team at his alma mater, the University of Louisville. Born and raised in Louisville, Mark reflects on the unique experience of coaching where he once played and the pride he feels representing his hometown. Coach Beckham discusses the evolution of college tennis, the complexities of blending transfer students with freshmen and the challenges of recruiting in today’s competitive landscape. Mark also shares his deep connection to Louisville sports, growing...

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USTA’s Martin Blackman: covering the US Open show art USTA’s Martin Blackman: covering the US Open

Talking Tennis Southern Style

The last Grand Slam of the year brings a New York vibe to tennis as the US Open begins. USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman, discusses the chances of Americans, including former Atlanta resident Coco Gauff repeating her 2023 success. Southerners Ben Shelton, Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul join a great USA contingent including Danielle Collins, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe as they vie for America’s most coveted Grand Slam title. Martin also explains how the US Open’s bottom line directly contributes to the American grassroots, supporting...

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North Carolina tennis history show art North Carolina tennis history

Talking Tennis Southern Style

In this episode of Talking Tennis Southern Style, we’re joined by Gray Smith, a Board Member of the  and the North Carolina Tennis Foundation. Gray delves into North Carolina’s rich tennis history, highlighting the legendary players who have graced its courts, including Rod Laver, Cliff Richard, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Andy Roddick and Patrick McEnroe. Gray provides unique insights into the ATP Tour's Winston-Salem Open, discussing how it came together and the crucial role volunteers played in its success. He also touches on the tournament’s...

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USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic show art USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic

Talking Tennis Southern Style

USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic Top 100 men and women are playing this week at the Cary (N.C.) Tennis Park with numerous community and charity events. We welcome Ted Reese, who volunteers in his leadership role as USTA Southern Executive Vice President. He takes time this week to talk about his dual USTA Pro Circuit tournaments running in his hometown of Cary, N.C. As Co-tournament Director of the , Ted emphasizes the growth of the tournaments that attracted top male and female stars like 2014 US Open finalist , , Olympic silver medalist and the fifth-seed from Georgia ....

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Brian Finneran, Andrew Walker, Talking Tennis Southern Style

Tennis is the sport of a lifetime and a former Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Brian Finneran is now excited about playing and watching tennis. He was wowed by the speed and athleticism of pro tennis players at the Atlanta Open. Brian can be heard on air on 680 The Fan, an Atlanta sports radio station. Andrew Walker worked four years at USTA Kentucky while rising in the ranks of tennis officiating. Now he is the Chief Umpire of the US Open. With October being LGBT History Month, Andrew recounted that when he was hired by the USTA Officiating Department, he felt secure enough to come out. In our spotlights are USTA Gold Ball champions Carrington Brown and Raegan Mulberry of Georgia and Kentucky Tennis Hall of Famers Tom McGraw and Katy Tinius.