News

“On Court with USPTA,” the cable TV show produced by the United States Professional Tennis Association, recently completed its 50th episode titled “Creating a Successful Doubles Team.” The show is set to premiere on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 9 a.m. Eastern on the Tennis Channel.

The USPTA’s multimedia department has been producing award winning instructional tennis shows for The Tennis Channel since 2003. “On Court” is a 20-minute instructional show featuring USPTA-certified professionals as guest instructors. The USPTA became the first tennis-teaching organization ever to produce and air an educational television series on playing and teaching tennis on the Tennis Channel in 2003. Since then, shows have been produced that provide instruction about technique, strategy and other facets of the game, such as fun and fitness.

“Creating a Successful Doubles Team” features instruction from USPTA professional Brett Hobden. It focuses on the importance of communication in doubles, picking a great partner, and tactics to help your partner when he is serving, returning or at net. In addition, you will learn about three key shots all doubles players need to know, how to handle momentum swings and the importance of having fun when playing doubles. The show also includes excerpts from ATP doubles team, David Martin and Scott Lipsky.

This episode, which will be available for the first time in high definition, sets a new standard for television tennis instruction.

“This is an exciting milestone not only because it is our 50th episode, but also because as the first episode in high definition it demonstrates our continued commitment to producing and distributing tennis instruction and education through the most up to date technology,” said USPTA CEO Tim Heckler.

Joe Birkmire is the show’s director and editor, H.R. Topham is video editor/videographer, Kenneth D. Crawford is motion graphics artist/videographer, George Burnett is motion graphics artist and Tim Heckler is the executive producer.