Talking Tennis Southern Style
Talking Tennis Southern Style covers tennis in nine Southern states and is hosted by longtime tennis TV & radio personality Sam Crenshaw. The weekly podcast is the official show of USTA Southern, the largest section of the United State Tennis Association and represents 26% of the national members.
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Patricia Jensen: Famed tennis matriarch and volunteer
07/24/2024
Patricia Jensen: Famed tennis matriarch and volunteer
In this episode, we sit down with Patricia Jensen, mother of four former professional tennis players, including 1993 French Open men’s doubles champions Luke and Murphy Jensen. Patricia shares her unique insights and experiences from transporting four children playing junior tournaments, where she put over 100K miles on her car one summer, to watching them play on the professional tour. Once dubbed the “matriarch of Atlanta’s No. 1 tennis family” by USTA Southern, she continues to volunteer in the tennis world by organizing the ball persons for the Atlanta Open and Georgia Tech. Listen in on her stories as a mother and being the number one fan of all of her tennis playing kids.
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Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2013-2024
07/17/2024
Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2013-2024
Current Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs and former TD Eddie Gonzalez explain how the Atlanta Open became the premier event in the local summer sports scene. Known for many years as the BB&T Atlanta Open and the Truist Atlanta Open, the city’s ATP tournament put down anchor in 2012 at the iconic Atlantic Station with its breathtaking cityscape. GF Sports & Entertainment brought in top-level support, raising the event to be coveted by both fans and players. Listen in on the conversation about great competition, including former Georgia Bulldog John Isner winning six championships.
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Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2010-2012
07/09/2024
Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2010-2012
As the Georgia capital says farewell to its most important pro tennis tournament – the – we chat with the first two tournament directors. Bill Oakes, USTA Southern’s Director, Marketing & Sales in 2010, helped bring the tournament to metro Atlanta. Bob Bryant ushered in its move to Atlantic Station. Both reminisce about the joys and challenges of hosting an ATP tournament in the best tennis city in the country. Next week, we will interview the two tournament directors who have overseen the “mini US Open” for over a decade.
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John Isner on Atlanta Open; Martin Blackman on Wimbledon
07/03/2024
John Isner on Atlanta Open; Martin Blackman on Wimbledon
In this episode, we welcome two special guests: John Isner, the six-time Atlanta Open champion, and Martin Blackman, the USTA General Manager of Player Development. John discusses his upcoming exhibition match with Andy Roddick against the Bryan brothers, shares his experiences as a player in the Atlanta Open, and gives his insights on the future of tennis in Atlanta. Martin provides an in-depth analysis of Americans at Wimbledon, highlighting the top American players, including Southerners Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Christopher Eubanks and Alycia Parks.
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Lake Norman Expands on Red Ball Tennis for Adults
06/26/2024
Lake Norman Expands on Red Ball Tennis for Adults
Amy Brandon has the Lake Norman, N.C., tennis community hitting red balls on short tennis courts. As a pioneer for adults in metro Charlotte, she started the which has grown to more than 500 players from 64 players since 2016. The Executive Director’s efforts align with the expanding program. She says the goal is to bring tennis to adults in a non-threatening, easy-to-play environment with scoring and rules designed for 36' courts. List to how she’s transforming the tennis world, one beer at a time.
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Tennis Helps 15-year-old Radio Personality Survive Leukemia
06/18/2024
Tennis Helps 15-year-old Radio Personality Survive Leukemia
Five years ago, at the age of 10, Lex Stolle was diagnosed with high-risk . He began a years-long series of chemotherapy treatments at of Children’s in Atlanta. Now, his recovery includes tennis, a love he shares with his father. His talents in communication and inspiring hope in other cancer victims have led him to host a on first Sunday of every month, 1-2 p.m., with assistance from the He wants to have a career as a motivational speaker … and when you hear this podcast, you’ll see, he is definitely on his way!
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America’s Top Junior: Georgia’s Al Parker
06/11/2024
America’s Top Junior: Georgia’s Al Parker
No one can match Al Parker’s junior career … a national champion 25 times and ranked No. 1 in Boys’ 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s from 1981-86. He reminisces about playing at the University of Georgia, which hosted and won NCAA Championships in the 1980s. “We were definitely a force,” the four-time All-American said. He has been inducted into three Halls of Fame, including the Southern Hall of Fame in 2010. He rose to No. 261 on the ATP Tour but his career was limited by a back injury sustained in college. Listen to Al as he shares how he’s applied what he learned as a top junior and collegiate player to his daily personal and professional life.
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Spring/Summer Buying Guide
06/05/2024
Spring/Summer Buying Guide
Want to hear a behind-the-scenes perspective from a photo shoot with Frances Tiafoe and Aryna Sabalenka? Michelle Heidbrink of talks about being on-site with the tennis stars and previewing new clothing a year in advance. She also recommends checking out the sleek designs of Naomi Osaka and Rafa Nadal shoes. Of course, the newest racquets are available and guaranteed to boost your strokes. For Father’s Day, gifts sure to please Dad include customizing a racquet, new high-performance strings or a new shirt for his next match.
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Promoting tennis: USTA South Carolina’s advocacy success
05/28/2024
Promoting tennis: USTA South Carolina’s advocacy success
Sheryl McAlister, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Development for , discusses their efforts in promoting tennis during National Tennis Month. She highlights their advocacy work, increased grant applications and the enthusiastic involvement of staff and volunteers. Sheryl also addresses challenges in providing quality public tennis courts and their initiatives to engage state officials and local communities.
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USTA’s Martin Blackman: covering Roland Garros
05/21/2024
USTA’s Martin Blackman: covering Roland Garros
USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman, discusses the growing crop of Americans showing their grit on the French Open’s terre battue. Among the players highlighted are Danielle Collins and Frances Tiafoe, along with Southerners Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Alycia Parks, Tommy Paul and Christopher Eubanks. Another hot topic is the Summer Olympics, which will be played at Roland Garros.
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Bill Oakes on ATP pro tournaments
05/15/2024
Bill Oakes on ATP pro tournaments
In this episode, we sit down with Bill Oakes, the former tournament director of the acclaimed ATP 250 and Senior Associate Athletic Director of. Bill shares his thoughts on innovative tournament formats, the significance of college tennis, and reflects on the upcoming last year of the , which he also ran.
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Advocating for tennis courts
05/07/2024
Advocating for tennis courts
We applaud anyone playing tennis in a driveway. But, realistically, 99% of tennis is played on courts. Paul Pittman, the long-time dominant force of tennis in Florence, S.C., is now chairing USTA Southern’s push to protect and increase the number of our tennis courts. Pittman speaks to grassroots tennis advocates who are working to ensure that new tennis courts are improved and built, and not turned into pickleball courts.
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Auburn’s Bobby Reynolds: from ATP to college
04/30/2024
Auburn’s Bobby Reynolds: from ATP to college
In this episode, we chat with Bobby Reynolds, Auburn Men’s tennis head coach, a former No. 1 collegiate player at Vanderbilt and a former ATP player. He shares insights from coaching in the SEC and offers advice for aspiring players aiming for college and pro success, along with tips for competitive coaching. Reflecting on his pro tour days when he topped out at No. 63 in the world, coach Reynolds also touches on the broader impact of the sport. He grew up in metro Atlanta.
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National Tennis Month: Bob Willis
04/24/2024
National Tennis Month: Bob Willis
Join us for an insightful episode featuring Bob Willis, President of the . Willis will host a National Tennis Month “Bring A Friend” lesson on May 25 at . He recounts last year’s experience with a successful NTM event. Don't miss out on Willis’s valuable tips and strategies for drawing new players to the sport with impactful tennis celebrations in your community!
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National Tennis Month: Kristie Flowers
04/16/2024
National Tennis Month: Kristie Flowers
hosted a session during 2023 and plans more sessions next month during National Tennis Month (NTM). She gets people active at in Florence, S.C. Flowers has had as many 50 participants get their heart rates up. She cites USTA Southern Board Member Ernie James for promoting NTM events.
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Tennessee tennis recruiter: Tyler Strong
04/09/2024
Tennessee tennis recruiter: Tyler Strong
How do you expand tennis in your state? A strategic focus of USTA is increasing the number of providers like parks and recreation departments, coaches, teachers, tournament directors and grassroots tennis associations. is using his knowledge of Junior Team Tennis to make connections with coaches and facilities. A nearly 10-year veteran of , Strong also celebrates tennis parents who assist coaches
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Tennis Channel on-court host Andrew Krasny
04/03/2024
Tennis Channel on-court host Andrew Krasny
is best known for his post-match interviews on court for . This week he is the host and emcee of , a tournament he considers among the best in the world for featuring the brightest women’s stars in the game. Over his storied career, Krasny has been one of the faces you've seen at , the and , connecting TV viewers with the world’s best tennis players.
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WHM: WTA player Arianne Hartono & Coach Jason Ontog
03/27/2024
WHM: WTA player Arianne Hartono & Coach Jason Ontog
Arianne Hartono, a Dutch professional tennis player ranked No. 140 in WTA singles, made history at the University of Mississippi by winning the , the first Dutch player to do so. She also received the for top female collegiate tennis player. Hartono is engaged to her coach Jason Ontog, a former USTA Tennessee staff member and known for his tennis achievements. He was the 2000 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and rose to a national ranking of No. 67 in 2003. Together, they offer insights into the travel demands and life on the WTA Tour.
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Teaching: true passion for former UT coach Elizabeth Henderson
03/19/2024
Teaching: true passion for former UT coach Elizabeth Henderson
Elizabeth Henderson’s life in tennis started by being No. 1 in numerous junior age levels in USTA Southern before being recognized as an All-American at the . She started her collegiate coaching odyssey at the University of North Carolina, followed by her first head coaching job at . That led to a four-year stint as women’s head tennis coach at the . She was inducted into the in 2011. For more than 30 years she has focused on her true passion: teaching young players at the in Knoxville.
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No-Cut Coach Starfish Award winner John Cox
03/12/2024
No-Cut Coach Starfish Award winner John Cox
We chatted with John Cox, whose volunteer work covers many areas of tennis, including numerous posts in . Still, he has a soft spot for the students of in Cleveland, Miss., where he began coaching the tennis team in 2017. His goal is to make tennis “cool” and get players on court and practicing. Winning two state titles and being awarded the and awards is just an extra bonus.
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WHM: Local League Coordinator honoree Anna Martin
03/06/2024
WHM: Local League Coordinator honoree Anna Martin
We talk with the She is a veteran of more than 23 years of promoting and organizing USTA League, providing a rich history of tennis in Wilmington, N.C. She now supports nearly 200 adult recreational teams. Martin highlights the importance of playing against players with similar skill levels for the She also serves as a teacher and director at a local church school.
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The weekly: ‘Talking Tennis Southern Style’ goes to weekly podcast
02/27/2024
The weekly: ‘Talking Tennis Southern Style’ goes to weekly podcast
Interviewed are two podcasters: Chris Godby & Chad Young of the awarding-winning “Game Set Match Kentucky!” After more than four years of uploading a two-interview podcast every other Thursday, the new “Talking Tennis Southern Style” plans on showcasing a single interview every Tuesday or Wednesday. Chris Godby & Chad Young produce “” Their podcast won the 2023 USTA Southern Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award for their show which concentrates on tennis in . The duo talked about content and the technical aspects of hosting the podcast from a home studio.
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Adult and Junior winners: George “Ged” Schwing, Male Player & Ryan Cozad, Junior Sportsmanship
02/15/2024
Adult and Junior winners: George “Ged” Schwing, Male Player & Ryan Cozad, Junior Sportsmanship
George “Ged” Schwing was honored with the Slew Hester Male Player of the Year for top adult player. Schwing has been a member of Team Louisiana for the Callen Cup and served as a captain the last few years, along with competing on the winning Southern team at the 2022 Keith Donoff Cup. Ozaki-Hastings Junior Sportsmanship Award winner Ryan Cozad was recognized at the USTA National Clay Courts Championships, as he received their Sportsmanship Award. He loves competing in team events, especially the Ozaki Cup for Team Georgia, and in the Battle of Sections for Team Southern.
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BHM: Calvin Kemp plus advocating for tennis courts
02/01/2024
BHM: Calvin Kemp plus advocating for tennis courts
With the number of tennis players growing in the last five years, more tennis courts are needed. While some courts are being converted to pickleball courts, the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force is enabling grassroots advocates to make the case for adding, and not reducing, the number of tennis courts. Former Board Member Paul Pittman chairs the task force and explains the advocacy tools provided by USTA Southern. In our first episode of Black History Month, we interview Calvin Kemp of Lafayette, La. Kemp was honored with the 2023 Southern Tennis Professional of the Year and received another award, the Member Organization of the Year, for Acadiana Serves. The award citation mentioned, “As an ATP Certified GPTCA International Coach, PTR Certified Coach, and Tennis Performance Trainer, Calvin brings a wealth of expertise.”
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Australian Open preview, a Mexican star on her French Open, women’s tour success
01/11/2024
Australian Open preview, a Mexican star on her French Open, women’s tour success
It’s a new year and time for our Grand Slam correspondent to preview American and Southern players. USTA General Manager, Player Development Martin Blackman calls in from Down Under with high hopes for players with Georgia roots: Coco Gauff, Taylor Townsend, Ben Shelton & Christopher Eubanks. Yolanda “Yola” Ramírez Ochoa won mixed doubles and finished as a singles finalist twice at Roland Garros. The former No. 6 in the world from Mexico chats about her illustrious career with her son, Ponch, a top-flight player himself.
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It’s a wrap: Outstanding interviews in 2023!
12/14/2023
It’s a wrap: Outstanding interviews in 2023!
Finishing our fourth season, “Talking Tennis Southern Style” wraps up 2023 with compelling excerpts of eight of our favorite interviews. We are proud to highlight insightful conversations with these guests: Tennis memorabilia collector and USTA Kentucky Past President Mike Eden Jermaine Jenkins, practice partner of Serena and Venus Williams
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From WTA & ATP tours to Southern Tennis Hall of Fame: Jane Preyer and Keith Richardson
11/30/2023
From WTA & ATP tours to Southern Tennis Hall of Fame: Jane Preyer and Keith Richardson
made her mark as an All-American at the – Chapel Hill before succeeding in the WTA Tour. She reached No. 43 and defeated some top players including Evonne Goolagong. Later she took to coaching and led the women to four championships. is now inducted into his fifth hall of fame. His career began with achievement at Appalachian State and was named a “Legend” in 2012. With victories over Kevin Curren and Eliott Teltscher, he rose to No. 63 in singles and No. 146 in doubles. Richardson also was honored as a teaching pro by the We also preview our year-end highlight episode, scheduled for release on Thursday, Dec. 14.
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Marshall Happer’s book, “Pioneers of the Game,” documents the rise of the men’s professional tours
11/21/2023
Marshall Happer’s book, “Pioneers of the Game,” documents the rise of the men’s professional tours
Marshall Happer headed the Men’s Tennis Council from 1981-89, making him the only unofficial commissioner of men’s professional tennis. He draws upon his extensive tennis background – including USTA Executive Director, President & CEO and inductee – in writing “.” The 871-page history documents the 40-year trek of men’s professional tennis from the Open Era through the advent of the ATP Tour. Happer recounts his relationships with Jack Kramer, Phillippe Chatrier, Arthur Ashe, Lamar Hunt, Donald Dell, Tony Trabert, among others.
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Inclusive and accessible: Wheelchair tennis No. 1 junior and adaptive tennis supports blind, visually impaired
11/16/2023
Inclusive and accessible: Wheelchair tennis No. 1 junior and adaptive tennis supports blind, visually impaired
Wheelchair tennis is booming and Zane Goodwin is riding the crest to the top of the game. The 16-year-old Birmingham, Ala., resident is the and winner of the . Zane talks about his dedication to the sport while his mom, Lara Polk, describes how she loves traveling to tournaments nationwide. USTA Southern recently hosted a that was conducted by the . Superintendent welcomed the opportunity to help sighted players experience the sport from the perspective of the blind and visually impaired. Using audible balls, shorter racquets and tactile lines, 25 tennis professionals were tutored with specific strategies. Highlighted is junior Jaylon Salters, of Ladson, S.C. We preview a special episode with author of “Pioneers of the Game” and former USTA Southern President.
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UGA's SEC winningest coach Manny Diaz & holiday buying guide
11/10/2023
UGA's SEC winningest coach Manny Diaz & holiday buying guide
In a remarkable achievement, Manny Diaz, the veteran men's tennis coach at the University of Georgia, will be inducted into the prestigious Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, this January. Diaz reflects on his illustrious career, during which he achieved a remarkable SEC-record of 767 wins for the University of Georgia men's tennis team. He takes pride in his associations with renowned former American tennis star John Isner along with current NCAA champion, Ethan Quinn. Get ready to stock up on perfect tennis gifts for your favorite player! Michelle Heidbrink previews her favorite tennis merchandise, clothing, shoes, racquets, etc. As a USTA Southern partner, offers discounts to the 166,000+ USTA Southern members. Highlighted are juniors Houston Jacques, of Huntsville, Alabama, and , and 2022 Nick Barone and Louis Nash.
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