Week of September 8, 2023

Lander Open Results!

The finals of the First Annual $10K Lander Open finals took place last weekend at Markham Tennis Club.

The fields of 51 men and 18 women competed for $10,000 in total prize money in two of the strongest Open draws of the season in both singles and doubles. There were many fantastic matches throughout the week, a testament to the level of competition in the Open category. 

In the women’s singles final, Tina She defeated Katherine Zhang 7-6(3), 6-0. Unfortunately, the men’s singles final between Marko Stakusic and Jonathan Sorbo could not be played because of Jonathan’s withdrawal due to injury. Congratulations to Tina and Marko!

Thanks to Lander Management, the Markham Tennis Club and all the sponsors for making this a great event!

For all tournament singles and doubles results, click here.

Women's finalist: Katherine Zhang, Women’s Champion: Tina She, Men’s Champion: Marko Stakusic, Men’s Finalist, Jonathan Sorbo.

 Pictured above, left to right, Katherine Zhang, Tina She, Marko Stakusic and Jonathan Sorbo.

NIKE Transition Tour Circuit Final Standings

The 2023 NIKE Transition Tour Circuit for U12 and U14 competitors which began in May, wrapped up on August 20. The Tour was designed for players wishing to compete beyond the U9/U10 Circuit and Rogers Rookie Tours. The Invitational Circuit Finale will be held on the weekend of September 8th at Sobeys Stadium, with the top 16 players in the circuit leaderboard being invited to determine the top 2 players of the circuit.

Below are the final standings for the top 5 players in each category:

Boys U12 

Girls U12

Boys U14

Girls U14

For complete final standings, click here.

U14 Junior Nationals Results

Play continued in Quebec last week with the U14 tournament, the final age category of the Fischer Outdoor Junior National Championships. Quebec. 

The event was held at Carrefour Multisports in Laval.

Ontario had a total of 20 athletes competing in singles and doubles action. The best result for Ontario was in Girl’s singles action, where Nadia Lagaev (above right) made it to the final, losing to BC’s Emma Dong (above left), 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. Congratulations to all competitors who made Team Ontario!

For U14 singles and doubles draw and results, click here.
For complete U12 singles and doubles results, click here.
For complete U16 singles and doubles results, click here.
For complete U18 singles and doubles results, click here.

Photo courtesy of Tennis Canada.

Two New Girls. Set. Match. U12/U14

Tie-break Tournaments in October!

Tennis Canada in partnership with the Ontario Tennis Association and National Bank is pleased to announce the latest edition of the GIRLS. SET. MATCH. Tie-Break Tournaments for the months of September and October. The events provide girls between 10 and 14 years of age with a unique opportunity to compete in a fun, short-format tournament that is removed from the pressure of regular competition. 

As well as playing in the tournament, the participants will be treated to a Pizza Party and will be given a free Girls, Set, Match. sweater.

The first three tournaments scheduled for this weekend are full. 

For information on the remaining five Girls. Set. Match. tournaments, including two new postings, click here. 

For more information on Girls. Set. Match., click here.

There will be more information updated soon! 

Capital Kids Finale at

Crystal Beach TC in Ottawa

Crystal Beach Tennis Club in Ottawa hosted the Capital Kids Tennis Program Summer Celebration last weekend. On-court activities, the Merchant of Tennis Smash Cage, food, refreshments, and prizes were all part of the action.

The event had a great turnout with 56 families, 92 participants and 189 people (participants+family). Great job to all coaching staff and program coordinator Sofia Christow-Filleul who saw the program through in 2023, the first year post-Trillium grant. Thanks to the National Capital Tennis Association (NCTA) for providing a budget and keeping the program going. Thank you to the University of Ottawa tennis team players for volunteering their time and helping to make the finale a smashing success. The debt of gratitude to Crystal Beach TC, Sherri Smith, Steven Harrison, Lily Yip and past president Ian Ash for their continuing support of CK and all things OTA! Thank you to NCTA sponsors: KUNSTADT Sports and Pure Kitchen. It was truly a community event, and we are excited for the next steps including an indoor season. Running at three locations, Tanglewood, Crystal Beach and Manor Park, there were close to 1,000 participants in the program in 2023. Congratulations on a great season!

US Open Sale On Now

at Merchant of Tennis

Celebrating the US Open with huge savings on footwear, clothing, racquets and more.
www.merchantoftennis.com/collections/sale

MerchantOfTennis.com is open 24/7 with shipping and store pickup services available.
Store hours and updated information: www.merchantoftennis.com/pages/contact-us

Connect with Merchant of Tennis:
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Sign up for the latest on products, services and sale events:
www.merchantoftennis.com/pages/newsletter

Shop Gift Cards: www.merchantoftennis.com/collections/gift-cards/

Check Out the Latest ONTENNIS.ca Story!

New ONTENNIS Exclusive Instructional Series by Tennis Canada Coach 3 Adrian Coles – Part 5!

Check out the fifth release of the new exclusive ONTENNIS “The Competitive Edge” instructional series by Tennis Canada Coach 3 Adrian Coles. This series is for anyone who wishes to raise their compete level. A lifelong player and coach, Mr. Coles features easy to digest tips and strategies to help keen recreational competitors play smarter. Improving stroke technique certainly helps but that requires a great deal of deliberate practice. A quicker way is to sharpen tactical skills whilst still using the strokes you've already got! He will cover topics often overlooked or even glossed over in on court instruction when hitting lots of balls is what is appreciated most.

Part 5, “Point Blank - Make Scoreboard Pressure Work for You!” Coach Adrian talks about the importance of being aware of the score at all times and the importance of narrowing your focus for the “big” points like games and breakpoints. Some matches can be won even when losing more points overall – remember, in tennis, it’s not who wins the most points, it’s who wins the last point!

Check out this story here and visit www.ONTENNIS.ca for all other ONTENNIS stories. Enjoy!

Community Tennis Network Update

Do you want to play more friendly tennis matches? Meet new playing partners at a similar level? Track your scores, progress, and even win prizes along the way.
 
The Ontario Tennis Association, in partnership with Tennis Canada, is excited to offer a NEW way to play recreational tennis in Brampton, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, Niagara, Markham-Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Toronto East, Toronto West, and Vaughan. 

Community Tennis Network (CTN) helps connect players to organize friendly matches with similarly skilled players in their community.
 
How does it work?

• Register online and pay the registration fee ($20+tax)
• Players are organized into a group based on their level
• Contact info is sent to your group - players are responsible for arranging their matches when and where works best for them (at your club, public-access indoor tennis centre or on a public court).
• Enter your scores online and win prizes*!

        *Complete 4 matches, and receive a $5 Tim Hortons gift card!
 
Who can play?

• Anyone aged 18 or older can play
• For beginners looking to play their first match or advanced players looking for new competition

We have three divisions:

• Beginner (2.5 and below)
• Intermediate (3.0 and 3.5)
• Advanced (4.0 and above)

When does it start?

• Registration: August 25 - September 18
• NEW Session: September 20 - October 17
• For session 3 in the Hamilton Community Tennis Network, the deadline has been extended to Friday, September 8th.
• When registration closes, you will be placed in a group of 4-6, playing 4 or 5 matches over a month 
   

Interested in learning more?

Check out our website for more information or to register. 

Check Out the Latest ONTENNIS Podcast

with Arash Madani!

ONTENNIS Podcast presented by Merchant of Tennis caught up with Rogers Sportsnet on-air personality Arash Madani to talk all things tennis. The award-winning broadcaster has covered many sports in his illustrious career, but he has a special place in his heart for tennis, a sport he loves to play himself. The on-court host at this year’s National Bank Open presented by Rogers has some incredible stories and insights about the sport and the current crop of Canadian tennis stars. A must-listen to for any tennis fan. Check out the episode on Soundcloud here or search ONTENNIS on Apple and Spotify podcasts. Enjoy!

2nd Annual ICTA Junior

Mixed Team Championships

A UTR / WTN Ranked Event

A Junior DOUBLES UTR / WTN ranked event is coming to Sobeys Stadium on Sunday, October 1!

The Intercounty Tennis Association (ICTA), Ontario Tennis Association (OTA) and Tennis Canada (TC) have teamed up to present the 2nd Annual ICTA Junior Mixed Team Championships.    

All matches will be UTR / WTN verified with 2 divisions of play:

1)    Division A1 – 4 players (2 boys and 2 girls) combined UTR ranking of 30+
      (Avg 7.5 per player)
2)    Division A2 – 4 players (2 boys and 2 girls) combinedUTR ranking of 22-30
      (Avg 5.5 per player)

How to Register a Team:

• Team / Individual Registration: Contact Tournament Director, Todd Orrett at juniors@intercountytennis.com
• Teams: Create your own (play with your friends) or Todd Orrett will assist
• Registration Deadline: Saturday, September 23 (no exceptions)
• Entry Fee: $30 per player HST included includes LUNCH (cash only – pay on event day

Waves of Play and Team Composition:

• START TIME: 8:00 am; END TIME: 6:00 pm. Event times may vary based on team numbers.
• TEAM COMPOSITION – 2 GIRLS and 2 BOYS

Other Information:

• ICTA/OTA will set up draws, and schedule play. Tennis Canada will track results
• All teams are GUARANTEED 3 matches
• There will be alternating waves of Boys / Girls Doubles and Mixed Doubles matches
• Prizes will be awarded to all players

Find more information in our Tournament Calendar here

Want to Play on Red Clay? Year-round?

Join the Club

Toronto Tennis City is happy to announce that midtown's beloved tennis club will operate throughout 2024 with memberships available for the whole family. This is your chance to join in on the fun!

We offer our members top-tier programming, lessons from Tennis-Canada-certified coaches and outstanding customer service in a beautiful location at Yonge and Davisville in Toronto.

Secure your membership today! Contact Michael Zimmerman - E: z@acetennis.ca | P: 647-381-6464 or visit www.torontotenniscity.com for more information. 

OTA Club and Regional News

Doing it the Milton Tennis Club Way!

Looking for opportunities to stimulate community involvement in tennis? Check out how this club does it!!

Established in 1923, Milton Tennis Club turns 100 this year! Through a dedication to hard work and a passion for the game, generations of volunteers have allowed the club to flourish and provide a standard of excellence that the tennis community can be proud of. Players of all ages, levels, and backgrounds can enjoy the club, whether it is just to play for fun, or to become the best tennis player they can possibly be. Milton Tennis Club is eager to share its passion for tennis!

As well as servicing its membership for the past 100 years, the club provides tremendous support to the OTA and Tennis Canada. For 3 consecutive years, Milton Tennis Club has hosted the Under 16 Fischer Outdoor Junior National Championship. From August 16 to 23, 2023, the future of Canadian tennis was displayed in Milton with over 80 entries in singles and over 40 in doubles draw. Over the years, the club has hosted qualifying matches for OTA Team Ontario Selection tournaments and Super Series junior tennis events.

Check out the 100-year celebration of Milton Tennis Club here.

Check out more details of the U16 Fischer Outdoor Junior National Championships here. Photos courtesy of Gyles Diaz/Tennis Canada.

Welland Match Point FUNdraiser Regional Tournament!

Come out and enjoy the fun at the Welland Match Point FUNdraiser Regional Tournament, Wednesday, September 13 at the Welland Tennis Club! (rain date September 20). Registration starts at 5pm with the tournament beginning at 6pm. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Pathstone Mental Health in Welland! 

There are 10 event options available: Mens and Womens singles and doubles, Mixed doubles in both A and B divisions.

Entry fee – $5 cash per event, maximum $15 for 3 events (please bring $5.00 bills).
Partners guaranteed or bring your own. Rules: Win 1 point advance to next round, lose 1 point, retire. Winner of each event will receive 50% of the entry fee for that event.

Refreshments: Cashless bar will be open - pizza will be available for $2 per slice.

Sign up at club on the board prior to the event or email info@wellandtennisclub.com or call the club at 905-788-1066.    

OR JUST SHOW UP!!!!

Social tennis from 4:00-5:30 followed by the tournament and then social tennis until 9pm.

We Want Your Club and Regional News!

Is your club hosting a significant tournament or event, does it have an anniversary coming up, is there a volunteer or player who deserves recognition for their contributions? If so, we want to hear about it. Just send a photo and a short write-up to us and we’ll feature it in SPIN in our OTA Club and Regional News section. To submit a story for consideration, just email pmalcomson@tennisontario.com.

Tell Us Why You're Great!

Tournaments - Community - Outreach -

Courses

Click the calendar above to see the live list of upcoming events

OTA Marketplace

A Marketplace for Everything Tennis!

Whether you’re pro advertising your coaching services, a company wanting to reach the tennis enthusiast, a club looking for new members or you just want to sell some old wooden tennis racquets – you can reach over 15,000 tennis players in Ontario each week via our weekly newsletter SPIN, with an ad in the OTA Marketplace section. Listings and pictures are only $125 per week and all we need is a horizontal image like the one above (500 pixels deep X 800 pixels wide) and a couple of paragraphs. We’ll do the rest! Need creative help? We offer creative services at a reasonable cost. For more info, email pmalcomson@tennisontario.com. Include “OTA Marketplace" in the Subject line.