Podcast · Sport

Talking Tennis Southern Style

by Ron Cioffi, USTA Southern, Senior Manager, Communications · English · Sport

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.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 15 min
Latest: 12 Dec 2024
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Dec 2024 · 26 min

Talking Tennis Southern Style's last episode: 2024 highlights

"Talking Tennis Southern Style" wraps a five-year run with our traditional year-end highlight episode. In 2024, we interviewed a wide variety of tennis players, media, providers and organizers. Included are tennis pro Arianne Hartono, TV star Andrew Krasny, Atlanta media icon Karen Graham, USTA League innovator John Embree, Red Ball Tennis organizer Amy Brandon, along with Atlanta Open luminary Patricia Jensen. We include a final goodbye from Executive Producer and USTA Southern staffer Ron Cioffi. Thanks and big shoutout to host Sam Crenshaw and audio producer Kyle Blackburn and to Ernie…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S5 · E41 · 4 Dec 2024 · 18 min
Ted Reese on leading USTA Southern for two years
Ted Reese may be best known for running USTA Pro Circuit tournaments in his hometown of Cary, N.C. However, his profile grows next month as he moves into the role of USTA Southern President & CEO. He explains his plans for building on years of tennis growth with programs like Adult Red Ball Tennis played on small courts. He emphasizes the importance of keeping tennis open to all, as the USTA aims to have 35 million Americans on the courts by 2035. He applauds the work of the Southern Tennis Foundation and the dedication of more than 200 volunteers, along with Southern staffers. Get a glimpse…
S5 · E40 · 20 Nov 2024 · 15 min
L.E.A.D serves Black youth in tennis and baseball
L.E.A.D. is an Atlanta-based nonprofit whose mission is to use baseball and tennis to teach Black youth how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism. Kelli Stewart, wife of co-founder and former minor league baseball player C.J. Stewart, explains how the organization expanded into supporting tennis. Her daughter, Mackenzi, is a former Southern University and Georgia State player, explained how she decided to pick up a racquet and now leads its girls' tennis programs. Listen to them describe their dedication to community service and focus on…
S5 · E39 · 13 Nov 2024 · 9 min
Tuskegee coach Gregory Green on HBCU opportunities
Coach Gregory Green has been a part of eighteen championships as a player and coach, earning him the name "The King of Rings." In addition to coaching excellence in football with four SIAC Conference rings, he has brought glory to Tuskegee tennis with four SIAC Conference Tennis Championships, five-time SIAC Highest Team GPA for Men and Women and four SIAC Conference Tennis Coach of the Year awards, in addition to many athletic accolades at Savannah State. Listen to Gregory describe how his program grows the academic and cultural opportunities for Tuskegee's athletes and strengthens the HBCU…
S5 · E38 · 6 Nov 2024 · 20 min
Former USPTA CEO John Embree Reflects on His Wilson Legacy and Leadership in Tennis
In the second of a two-part series with John Embree, he recounts his pivotal role at Wilson, where he managed contracts for tennis legends including Pete Sampras, Chrissy Evert, Jim Courier, and others, and introduced the successful Wilson U.S. Open tennis ball. He discusses his leadership in developing innovative rackets like the Hammer and Pro Staff. After 17 years at Wilson, John transitioned to the USPTA as CEO, leveraging his for-profit experience to strengthen the organization. He shares his concerns about the aging tennis professional population and emphasizes the importance of…
S5 · E38 · 6 Nov 2024 · 20 min
Former USPTA CEO John Embree Reflects on His Wilson Legacy and Leadership in Tennis
In the second of a two-part series with John Embree, he recounts his pivotal role at Wilson, where he managed contracts for tennis legends including Pete Sampras, Chrissy Evert, Jim Courier, and others, and introduced the successful Wilson U.S. Open tennis ball. He discusses his leadership in developing innovative rackets like the Hammer and Pro Staff. After 17 years at Wilson, John transitioned to the USPTA as CEO, leveraging his for-profit experience to strengthen the organization. He shares his concerns about the aging tennis professional population and emphasizes the importance of…
S5 · E37 · 30 Oct 2024 · 18 min
Former USPTA CEO John Embree talks about his USTA League leadership
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.
S5 · E36 · 22 Oct 2024 · 29 min
Open Tennis Fest in Tennessee with Sara Barnett; Charles Allen starts a high-energy, crowd-friendly format
When she headed up USTA Tennessee 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 INTENNSE . 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 UGA current and…
S5 · E34 · 16 Oct 2024 · 13 min
Mercer tennis player outlines donation program
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 to better life…
S5 · E34 · 4 Oct 2024 · 13 min
Growing Tennis On Campus at UNC-CH
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. Through…
S5 · E33 · 26 Sep 2024 · 17 min
TV personality Karen Graham co-founded company serving Deaf community
"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 Sign1News.com 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…
S5 · E32 · 17 Sep 2024 · 12 min
Jamie Hunt starts as third coach in Georgia's men's tennis
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.
S5 · E31 · 11 Sep 2024 · 13 min
Louisville's Mark Beckham on college coaching
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 up…
S5 · E30 · 27 Aug 2024 · 13 min
USTA's Martin Blackman: covering the US Open
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…
S5 · E29 · 20 Aug 2024 · 17 min
North Carolina tennis history
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…
S5 · E28 · 14 Aug 2024 · 17 min
USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic
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 Cary Tennis Classic , Ted emphasizes the growth of the tournaments that attracted top male and female stars like 2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori , Christopher Eubanks ,…
S5 · E27 · 7 Aug 2024 · 13 min
Raising Funds for Tennis Programs and Scholarships
Join us on the latest episode of "Talking Southern Style Tennis" as we sit down with Paul Pittman, Chair of the USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force and Chair of the Major Gifts Committee for the Southern Tennis Foundation. In this episode, Paul shares insights into how the Southern Tennis Foundation is dedicated to growing the sport of tennis across the Southern section. Discover their impactful grants that fund tennis programs and initiatives, as well as their scholarships for juniors heading to college.
S5 · E26 · 30 Jul 2024 · 14 min
USA players competing in the Paris Olympics
USA players competing in the Paris Olympics Karen Pestaina of TennisPanorama.com discusses Tommy Paul, Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend and other American players at the Summer Olympics. "Playing the Olympics and playing for your country really energizes players," says Karen Pestaina, founder and editor-in-chief of TennisPanorama.com. Karen highlights Southern players who can make a big impact in Paris. She focuses on the chances of Tommy Paul, who won a Roland Garros junior title, and South Carolina's Emma Navarro to bring home a medal from France. She also recaps the last Atlanta Open. Listen…
S5 · E25 · 24 Jul 2024 · 16 min
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…
S5 · E24 · 17 Jul 2024 · 32 min
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.
S5 · E23 · 9 Jul 2024 · 32 min
Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2010-2012
As the Georgia capital says farewell to its most important pro tennis tournament – the Atlanta Open – 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.
S5 · E22 · 3 Jul 2024 · 23 min
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.
S5 · E21 · 26 Jun 2024 · 15 min
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 ServeAces Mini-Tennis Brewery League, which has grown to more than 500 players from 64 players since 2016. The Lake Norman Tennis Association Executive Director's efforts align with the expanding USTA Adult Red Ball Tennis 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.
S5 · E20 · 18 Jun 2024 · 12 min
Tennis Helps 15-year-old Radio Personality Survive Leukemia
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…
S5 · E19 · 11 Jun 2024 · 15 min
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…
S5 · E18 · 5 Jun 2024 · 15 min
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 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.
S5 · E17 · 28 May 2024 · 14 min
Promoting tennis: USTA South Carolina's advocacy success
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.
S5 · E16 · 21 May 2024 · 12 min
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.
S5 · E15 · 15 May 2024 · 18 min
Bill Oakes on ATP pro tournaments
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.
S5 · E14 · 7 May 2024 · 13 min
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.

About Talking Tennis Southern Style

Talking Tennis Southern Style is a English sport podcast from Ron Cioffi, USTA Southern, Senior Manager, Communications. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Ron Cioffi, USTA Southern, Senior Manager, Communications
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 15 min
Latest episode: 12 Dec 2024
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1512032536

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