What an exciting month May is in the Bluegrass! The Spring Meet just finished at Keeneland and Derby 150 was an exhilarating event!

Thanks to Lou10U, Newburg Tennis Association, and West Louisville Tennis Club for hosting the kick off event for Derby Diversity Week! Over 25 participants ages 6-70 enjoyed on-court instuction & match play. The event was in partnership with USTA & Derby Diversity Week.

Get out and play and live another day!

RC Scheinler

Check out all the events in your area! Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates!

In addition to being National Tennis Month, May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. It seems altogether fitting that our sport is heralded in a month that likewise calls out the vitally-important topic of mental health, as one of the most notable benefits of playing tennis is improved mental and cognitive health. 

A winner was drawn on Monday, May 6th.

Congratulations to Sonya of Louisville.

Thanks to all for supporting Raise a Racquet!

Luhr Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary, Slaughter Elementary and Blue Lick Elementary had a great Elementary School Tennis Play Day last month! Luhr Elementary hosted the event!

Tennis opening doors of opprtunity!

Be on the lookout for players exhibiting on court “Good Sportsmanship”. If you recognize what you consider to be an example of a Good Sport, please take a moment & nominate them for a monthly drawing.

You as the nominator will also go into a drawing.

Look for these flyers/banners posted at court locations, social media & QR code to scan.

This is a FUN adult social tennis experience designed to bring new players to your courts and have them playing the game in 10 minutes! Bring adult red ball to your community and recieve loads of perks!

Adult 55 & Over Championships

Bowling Green, May 31 – June 2

40 & Over Championships

Louisville, June 7 – 9

Adult 18 & Over Championships

Lexington, June 21 – 23

So much fun volunteering at USTA League Championships!

Bowling Green - SOKY is seeking State Championship volulnteers May 31 - June 2. Contact Kathy Klein

Louisville - TALK is seeking State Chammpionship volunteers June 7 - 9.

Pick a shift that works for you! 3 shifts each day (7a - 11a, 11a - 4p, 4p - 8p).

Contact TALKTennisKY@gmail.com by May 31st.

Lexington - TACK is seeking State Championship volunteers June 21 - 23.

Contact Dustin Ingram

TALK is seeking highly organized individual to serve as volunteer coordinator for the upcoming state tournament (June 7-9). Applicant must be available for all 3 days. Responsibilities include volunteer recruitment, coordination with USTA KY Office / TALK board and assistance with incentive delivery.

This position does include a stipend to cover expenses.

Please send inquiries to TALKTennisKY@gmail.com no later than May 17th.

USTA Coaching Fundamentals Workshop will be held in Richmond May 25 - 26. This two-day, in-person training focuses on all the skills needed to teach beginner to low intermediate level players of all ages!

Level 1 Certification Workshop will be held at Genesis Blairwood, Louisville May 18 - 19. You will be Level 1 PTR certificed at the conclusion of the workshop!

Wise words from an incredible young man, TJ Richardson of Louisville.

TJ’s unique story began at birth with only one functioning arm. He suffered from Brachial Plexus Erb’s Palsy.  His grandmother introduced him to tennis when he was 5 years old. He played for Male High School and Tiffin University. TJ said, “my coach told me to always hit with a purpose”. Congratulations on your graduation!

Nike Tennis Camp will be held at EKU July 22 - 26. Both day and overnight camps are offered. This camp delivers serious instruction with lots of fun!

Player applause for Sara Robinson of Louisville! Teams are randomly chosen and captains select a player for the player applause recognition! We love our players and are thanking chosen players with a free league registration! Keep your eye on Facebook and Instagram!

Limited number of teams - so be sure to have your team ready when registration opens!

No local play required, open invitational with limited space.

• Registration Opens September 15, 2024
• Levels 2.5 – 4.5+, Men and Women
• Each Division will be limited to 3 teams in the 2.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 4.5+ levels
• Each Division will be limited to 5 teams in the 3.5, 4.0 levels

REMINDER USTA Kentucky & USTA Southern have partnered with Match Tennis App to highlight junior tennis athletes who display exemplary sportsmanship. Join in the "Good Chase" and vote for those specific players to earn monthly prizes, mega prizes to ATP & WTA events in the south, and even a chance to with the grand prize and go to the US Open.

Congratulations to Greer Webb!

USTA Kentucky & USTA Southern have partnered with Match Tennis App to highlight junior tennis athletes who display exemplary sportsmanship. Way to go, Sam!

Thank you for being such a good sport on the court!

The Nike Tennis Camp at Eastern Kentucky University is excited to offer juniors the chance to train like a college athlete! This junior tennis camp offers day and overnight camps for kids of all skill levels with a special week dedicated to beginner, intermediate, and tournament level players. This camp will be directed by the EKU Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, Adam Cohen. Check out the link below to learn more information.

Nike Tennis Camp at Eastern Kentucky University

July 22-26th, Richmond

Juniors: 8:45 AM-4 PM

REGISTER HERE

The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar is for players between the ages of 8-18. They will train with the official Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar coaching staff to improve their game and maximize their competitive potential. They will also learn about the positive values that Rafa transmits both on and off the courts, with the goal of developing the player and the person.

The 5-day camp consists of integrated training, which develops the different areas of tennis that the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar follows. During the Wee players will learn to build a modern and creative game while acquiring new technical skills and advanced tactical knowledge.

In addition to junior camps, adult camps are also available from the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar. Adult camps are designed to help players raise their level of play and experience high-performance training first-hand.

Louisville Boat Club

June 10th-14th, Louisville

Juniors: 8 AM-2:30 PM

Adults: 4:30-6:30 PM

REGISTER HERE

Eastern Kentucky University

June 24-28th, Richmond

Juniors: 8 AM-2:30 PM

Adults: 4:30-6:30 PM

REGISTER HERE

ITA SUMMER SERIES POWERED BY WTN

The ITA has launched the ITA Summer Series Powered by WTN for 2024! This Summer Series is an elevated version of the ITA Summer Circuit that many of you may be familiar with from the past. With this new format, the ITA is happy to announce the host sites for the upcoming ITA Summer Points Race Series Powered by WTN, one of which being in Kentucky at the University of Louisville. Taking place at over 50 sites during the span of six weekends, the ITA Summer Points Race Series Powered by WTN is a perfect chance for any player to compete against college athletes, high-level juniors, and former college athletes.

In addition to the University of Louisville, check out the entire calendar and locations by clicking here. Other nearby host sites include, Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Cincinnati. More sites are being added, so if you see a week with no locations close enough, check back and some may be added.

Questions - Contact LJ Allara

lallara@ustaky.com

502-491-1290

Kentucky Tennis Facebook page is now USTAKentucky! Be part of Kentucky tennis social!! Follow USTAKentucky and check the page for updates!

Check out the new USTA Kentucky website! Let us know what you think!

Raise a Racquet 2024 Rally Club Champions - donations over $1,000

John English

Linda Seagle

Rick Shafferman

Paul Varga

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Raise a Racquet 2024 Rally Club Baseliners - donations over $100

Victor Allara, Jeffery Chou, Kris Hamilton, John Herring, Kim Lonnemann, Cynthia Miller, Deena Ombres, Mel Purcell, Linda Schrecker

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Be part of the Club - The Rally Club! Champions - donors over $1,000

Baseliners - donors over $100

rarfoundation.com to join the club!

If you are over age 70 1/2 you might consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. This way the distribution is not taxable. Have your custodian send a check directly from your IRA to Raise A Racquet Foundation, 8900 Greeneway Commons Place #101 Louisville KY 40220 rarfoundation.com

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