By Tom Whitten
Research tells us that it takes around 10 years and 10,000 hours to reach an elite level in sport. Those vast numbers of hours are made up of sport-specific training, physical training and competing in various sports as a youngster.
If you do the math, that comes to about three hours of practice and/or training a day over the span of ten years. Time, talent, enormous dedication and unwavering commitment to reach elite levels are some what it takes to achieve a good level of success. The 10,000 hours are weighted heavily in the latter stages of that 10-year period when the athlete will be training full time – often for over six hours a day. And that’s just for starters.
That commitment to becoming a good or great tennis player is something I take enormous pride in as a teaching tennis professional at The Oaks Club. I have seen a great deal of budding talent on the courts here and encourage my aspiring students to see what it takes to become a pro. By attending a USTA Pro Circuit event you can be up close and personal with the pros. Tennis at this level is certain to improve your game.
Now in its third year in our Oaks Club tennis facility, these women players take the 10,000 rule to heart. They are world ranked (94-215) and many have Grand Slam experience. Our 2010 Champion, Jamie Hampton, Marijana Lucic and Beatrice Capra all competed in the U.S. Open. Beatrice went on to reach the third round at the US Open.
We start with 64 players in qualifying matches on Sunday, April 10. The main draw of 32 players begins on Tuesday, April 12, and continues through the week. Semi-final singles and doubles are played Saturday April 16. Finals are Sunday April 17th beginning at noon.
We are recognized as one of the most active tennis facilities in the area, and our tennis facility features twelve, state-of-the-art, HAR-TRU® tennis courts, including four lighted courts, recently renovated with the HydroGrid irrigation system and constantly maintained to tournament standards. During tournament week, you’ll find comfortable stadium seating on center court that seats nearly 400 fans. There will also be food and beverages including beer and wine available onsite.
With more than 90 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from 10,000 to 100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit has become the biggest, and arguably the best, developmental tennis tour in the world — not to mention a pathway to the US Open. It is, in essence, a farm system for Americans and international players alike. The Pro Circuit events are proving grounds for most of the big names in U.S. tennis and many other international stars the past two decades including Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova.
The ongoing success of The Oaks Club USTA Pro Circuit event is due, in large part, to the hard work of the tennis staff, the tennis committee and the many Oaks volunteers. Many of the players are housed right here at the Oaks Club with members graciously opening their homes for the week.
Our 2011 local sponsors including Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Rich Chojnacki, Land Rover South Point; DEW Luxury Motor Cars, Koen Fine Jewelers, Cramer Toyota of Venice, Iberia Bank, Sarasota Vascular Specialists, Dr. and Mrs. Michel Lepore – are not only generous, but vital to the success of this tournament.
If you’re an avid player, fan or just someone who loves to watch tennis, make it a point to visit us at The Oaks Club during tournament week. You will see tennis played in a beautiful and intimate setting and experience the excitement and intensity of the professional game in your neighborhood.
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Tom Whitten is the Director of Tennis and Tournament Director for the 2011 USTA Women’s 25,000 Pro Circuit Event at The Oaks Club April 10-17. Tickets are $5.00 for the weekdays and $10.00 for the finals weekend or you may purchase a $25.00 weekly tournament pass. Tickets are available at the gate.
For info: www.theoaksclub.com
