Talking Tennis Southern Style – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 underserved youth and recreational players. Do not miss this opportunity to listen in on the US Open and the stamp it’s making on players and communities nationwide. 

• In this episode of Talking Tennis Southern Style, we’re joined by Gray Smith, a Board Member of the Winston-Salem Open 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 commitment to giving back to the community and its impact beyond the court. Tune in to hear about the legacy of tennis in North Carolina and the ongoing efforts to support and grow the sport.

Five years ago, at the age of 10, Lex Stolle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He began a years-long series of chemotherapy treatments at Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center 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 radio show on WSB on first Sunday of every month, 1-2 p.m., with assistance from the Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. 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!

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.

Want to hear a behind-the-scenes perspective from a photo shoot with Frances Tiafoe and Aryna Sabalenka? Michelle Heidbrink of Tennis Warehouse 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. 

Sheryl McAlister, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Development for USTA South Carolina, 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.

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.

• In this episode, we sit down with Bill Oakes, the former tournament director of the acclaimed ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Wake Forest University. Bill shares his thoughts on innovative tournament formats, the significance of college tennis, and reflects on the upcoming last year of the Atlanta Open, which he also ran.

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.

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.