Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. Arthur Ashe

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* New Members Welcome Party is at the Stanley Dollar

Saluting Mary Benin: An Outstanding Tennis Leader

It's time to salute one of the most outstanding women in our tennis club, Mary Benin. When Mary moved to Rossmoor in 2021, she wasted no time making her mark on the tennis community. She immediately jumped into league play and quickly took on leadership roles as both team player and captain of the 65+ team.

Her impact extended far beyond her initial involvement. Mary demonstrated exceptional vision and initiative by starting the 50+ team during the 2023-2024 season, showcasing her natural leadership and organizational abilities. She also took on the responsibility of organizing Monday morning team practices across 3 to 4 courts, displaying remarkable coordination skills and unwavering dedication to helping fellow players improve their games.

Mary came to these captain responsibilities with extensive experience, having successfully led at least 15 day and night teams in the Phoenix area before her move to Rossmoor. Her leadership philosophy is evident in everything she does—she doesn't simply participate but actively works to elevate everyone around her, making her exactly the kind of member who helps a tennis community truly thrive.

Currently, this busy and accomplished woman serves on the Board of the Women's Tennis League and holds the position of Vice President of the Tennis Club Board. Her commitment to leadership will continue to grow as she prepares to assume the role of President in the new year.

Mary's impressive background includes a distinguished 30-year career as an Associate Professor of Sociology at Arizona State University. She graduated from Vanderbilt University and earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of Nebraska, providing her with valuable insights into group dynamics that clearly benefit her tennis leadership roles.

Beyond her extensive tennis involvement with three teams and numerous leadership positions, Mary maintains a rich and balanced life. She finds joy in playing the cello, cherishes time spent with her daughter and two grandchildren, and enjoys hiking. Her ability to excel in so many areas while contributing so generously to our tennis community makes Mary truly deserving of our recognition and appreciation.

Rackets for Kids

Two members of the Rossmoor Tennis club are rallying community support for a charitable cause that could change the game for young athletes. David Hickey, and Bart Ostro have lodged a drive to collect used tennis rackets for donation to the Oakland parks and recreation department. The drive begins on October 1st and ends October 15. The donated rackets will be distributed to young players who cannot afford to purchase their own equipment, removing a significant barrier to participation in the sport. Rossmoor neighbors wishing to contribute can drop off previously loved rackets at collection boxes located at the Gateway entry and at the Buckeye kiosk at the tennis courts.

Update on Renovation of Courts 7 and 8

As most members are aware, courts 7 and 8 are in critical need of major renovations to provide a smooth and safe playing surface. While $250,000 was initially included in the 2025 RWC budget for these essential repairs, those funds have since been removed.

In response, a group of board members will be presenting a request to the Planning Committee at their October 9 meeting to secure funding for the repair of these two courts. The safety and quality of our tennis facilities are paramount to our community.

If you have questions about this initiative or would like to help advocate for these necessary repairs, please contact Bart Ostro.

Happy Labor Day!

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*Club Hosted BBQ: Club will provider grill items, soft drinks, beer and wine. Bring a dish to share and place settings

* End of Season BBQ: BYOB grill items, a dish to share and place settings

Women's Teams News:

The 2025-26 season for women's tennis begins in September. The Rossmoor women have two teams in the East Bay Women's Tennis League. We have a 50+ B1 level team and a 65+ A2 level team. The 50+ team is led by Carol Pillsbury and Yvonne Merrick and has 21 members. The 65+ team is led by Mary Benin and Terry Quinlan and has 17 members.

The 50+ league team will have their home matches on Mondays and will have a total of 7 matches at home between October 3rd, and March 9th. The 65+ league team will have their home matches on Fridays and will have a total of 8 home matches between October 6 and April 17th. All matches will start at 10:00 with the courts reserved at 9:30 for warm-ups.

We are excited to begin a new season of interclub play. We enjoy the competition and the chance to meet new players. Some of the players from visiting teams have become Rossmoor residents and members here, so having tennis players from the east bay play at our lovely facility is good advertising.

If you are someone who would be interested in finding out more about either team, please email Carol (cpillsbury1952@gmail.com) or Mary Benin (mary.benin@gmail.com).

The History of The Tiebreak....

Tennis tiebreakers were introduced to address the problem of excessively long sets that could theoretically continue indefinitely under the traditional scoring system. The modern tiebreaker was developed by Jimmy Van Alen and first used at the 1970 US Open, though it took several years for all major tournaments to adopt it. Initially, tournaments experimented with different formats, including sudden-death tiebreakers and best-of-nine-point systems, before settling on the current standard. Wimbledon was the last major to embrace the tiebreaker, finally introducing it in 1971 for all sets except the fifth set in men's matches and third set in women's matches, maintaining this tradition until 2019 when they adopted a first-to-seven tiebreaker at 12-12 in the final set.

The standard tiebreaker operates as a first-to-seven-points system, with the requirement that the winner must lead by at least two points. Players alternate serving after every point, with the first server delivering one serve, then the opponent serving the next two points, and this pattern continuing throughout. Serving switches from the deuce court to the advantage court and back with each serve. Players change ends after every six points to account for any court advantages like wind or sun. Some tournaments have adopted variations, such as the "super tiebreaker" or match tiebreaker (first to 10 points, win by two) used in doubles or as a decisive third-set replacement, while others employ different formats like the fast4 tennis scoring system that uses first-to-four tiebreakers at 3-3 in each set.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Coman Tiebreak:

The main difference between the standard tiebreak and the Coman tiebreak lies in when players change ends during the tiebreak, while the scoring system remains identical. In both formats, players compete in a first-to-seven-points system (win by two), with the same serving rotation where the first player serves one point, then players alternate serving two points each. The scoring progresses numerically (1, 2, 3, etc.) rather than using traditional tennis scoring.

The key distinction is the changeover timing. In the standard tiebreak, players change ends after every six points and at the conclusion of the tiebreak. However, the Coman tiebreak has players change ends after the first point, then after every four points (at 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, etc.), and at the end of the tiebreak. The common system was developed by players at the Balboa tennis club who realized it was unfair to wait six points before changing sides as this could give one player a significant advantage, if court conditions, like wind, sun, or surface of regularities favor, one end. Additionally, each server serves on the same side they served for the entire match. The more frequent changeovers in the Coman system help ensure more equitable playing conditions throughout the tiebreak.

Suggested Amendment to RTC Rules for Access and Use of Buckeye Tennis Court Complex

Court Courtesy Guidelines

We recognize that Courts 7 and 8 currently have playing surfaces that some members find challenging due to rougher, uneven conditions. To help ensure everyone gets quality court time while maintaining our spirit of community and fairness, we ask for your cooperation with the following courtesy guideline:

**When Courts 1-6 are in high demand:**

- Players who have enjoyed Courts 1-6 for **one hour** (singles) or **one hour and thirty minutes** (three or more players) are kindly asked to consider rotating to available courts when approached by waiting players

- This applies even when Courts 7 or 8 may be open, if the waiting players express a preference not to use those particular courts

This guideline helps balance court access while acknowledging that all players deserve an enjoyable tennis experience. We appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation in making our tennis community welcoming for everyone.

*Thank you for helping maintain the friendly, considerate atmosphere that makes our tennis complex special!*

Two "Friendly" Reminders:

Let's keep the wildlife off the courts...... please close the gates when finished playing.. . .. And, remember, the ball machine and equipment is only to be used by members who have paid the additional fees for its use, not by family members or friends.

Linda Hague, Publicity
Rossmoor Tennis Club

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* Bring your own table setting, something to grill, and a dish to share

New!!! Substitutes List . . .

There is now a tennis substitutes list which can be found both at the tennis kiosk as well as the website.. (After signing in to the website, click on Members > Substitutes and, "voila!" the list with names, email addresses, and phone number

The Brightwork Open Tournament Coming Soon

The Brightwork Open, a Level 4 USTA tennis tournament, is scheduled for August 5th-10th, 2025. This tournament is free to spectators, and is the best pro tournament easily accessible to RTC members. Many RTC members have enjoyed watching matches at this tennis tournament in past years.

Play is scheduled to start no earlier than 9:00 a.m. according to the USTA. Matches will be held at Moraga Country Club and St. Mary's College. The tournament is a single elimination format with a 128 draw limit.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Dates: Tuesday, August 5th to Sunday, August 10th, 2025.
• Location: Moraga Country Club (main site) and St. Mary's College (for the first two days).
• Start Times: Play begins no earlier than 9 AM each day.
• Singles Matches: 2 out of 3 full sets, with a new can of balls provided for the third set (and every set in the final).
• Doubles Matches: 2 out of 3 sets with a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a third set (except for the final).
• Draws: The Men's Doubles draw will be posted by 8:00 AM on Wednesday, August 6th, and the Women's and Mixed Doubles draws will be posted by 8:00 AM on Thursday, August 7th.
• Registration: Registrations for players closes on July 28th, 2025.

The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament Begins August 24 ...
Here's a brief history of the Event:

The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament has its origins dating back to 1881, when it began as the U.S. National Championships. Initially held at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island, the tournament was originally an exclusive event for amateur players from affluent social circles. The men's singles was the first event contested, with women's singles added in 1887. For decades, the tournament moved between various locations, including the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, where it resided from 1915 to 1977. During this era, the tournament maintained its amateur-only status, which meant that professional players were excluded from competition until the Open Era began in 1968.

The modern U.S. Open as we know it today truly emerged with the dawn of the Open Era, when amateur and professional players were finally allowed to compete together. In 1978, the tournament found its permanent home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, where it has remained ever since. The venue has undergone numerous expansions and renovations, including the addition of Arthur Ashe Stadium in 1997, which became the largest tennis stadium in the world. The tournament has grown from a small amateur competition to one of tennis's four Grand Slam events, attracting the world's best players and hundreds of thousands of spectators annually. Notable for its hard court surface and unique atmosphere, the U.S. Open has been the site of countless memorable matches and has played a crucial role in tennis history, including breakthrough moments for players like Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, and many others who have left their mark on the sport.

A Reminder: Many ways to Play

• Every Sunday 8:30 - Open Play…..Just Show up!
• Every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 - Drop-In tennis on courts 3 and 4. All levels of play. Contact Marc Parham (marc.parham@gmail.com) to be included in his email notifications.
• Every Wednesday 10:00 - Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Skills with Eugenio. Just Drop In!
• Every Friday 10:00 - Ball Machine Clinic. Get a few pointers from an advanced player.

* Court #7 has a hopper with used balls to practice serving.

Linda Hague, Publicity
Rossmoor Tennis Club

Calendar of Events

A brief history of Tennis Scoring.....

Tennis scoring has its origins in medieval France, where the game was called "jeu de paume" (game of the palm). The unusual scoring system of 15, 30, 40, and game likely derives from the medieval French practice of advancing around a clock face, with each quarter representing 15 minutes. However, that theory has been debunked since the first reference to tennis scoring is in the 15th century, and at that time clocks measured only the hours (1-12). Another theory suggests that when a player scored, they would proceed to move forward by 15 feet on the 45-foot courts giving rise to the 15-30-45 progression.

The term "love" for zero points probably comes from the French word"'oeuf" (the egg), symbolizing nothing. The scoring reached its modern form when lawn tennis was codified in England during the 1870s by Major Walter Wingfield and later refined by the All England Croquet Club, which hosted the first Wimbledon tournament in 1877. The "deuce" system, requiring a two-point advantage to win a game, was established to ensure a clear victor, while the set structure (typically first to six games, winning by two) provided a longer format for matches.

Reminder. . . . .

The ball machine and equipment in the ball machine shed is to be used ONLY by members who paid the additional fees for its use. No other family member(s) or friends are allowed to use the equipment.

DID YOU KNOW?....... TENNIS PLAYERS LIVE 9.5 YEARS LONGER

A happy group of tennis players finishing up a drop-in drill with Eugenio.

Eugenio provides a free drop-in drill every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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Why is the French Open called ROLAND GARROS?

Roland Garros was a pioneering French aviator who made significant contributions to early aviation, particularly during World War I. Born in 1888, he was already an accomplished pilot before the war, having made notable flights including the first aerial crossing of the Mediterranean Sea in 1913. When WWI began, Garros joined the French air service and became deeply involved in the development of fighter aircraft tactics and technology.

Garros is most famous for developing an innovative solution to a critical problem in early aerial combat: how to fire a machine gun through a spinning propeller without destroying it. In April 1915, he fitted steel deflector plates to his propeller blades, allowing bullets to be fired straight ahead while deflecting any rounds that would hit the propeller. This crude but effective system gave him a significant tactical advantage, and he achieved several aerial victories before being shot down and captured by German forces. The Germans studied his captured aircraft, leading them to develop the more sophisticated interrupter gear system that would dominate air combat for the rest of the war.

As tribute to this aviator and innovator, France named the prestigious French Open Tournament and tennis complex after this war hero.

The Rossmoor 50+ East Bay Women's Tennis League

... concluded their 2025-26 season with a solid fifth-place finish. Throughout the season, the team demonstrated consistent performance across fourteen matches, splitting evenly between home and away venues. Their record reflected competitive play with six victories, five defeats, and three draws.

The dedication of the team's twenty-one members was evident in their collective achievement of 975 games played over the course of the season. Under the leadership of Team Captain Carol Pillsbury and Co-Captain Yvonne Merrick, the group maintained strong cohesion and sportsmanship throughout their season.

Both captains have committed to returning for the upcoming season, ensuring continuity in leadership for this accomplished group of athletes. Women interested in joining this dynamic tennis community are encouraged to reach out to either Carol or Yvonne for more information about team participation.

You can't buy happiness, but you can play tennis and that's kind of the same thing

Linda Hague, Publicity
Rossmoor Tennis Club

Life is like a tennis game. You can't win without serving.

Calendar of Events

Call Richard Schulman to help at these events

Reminder: Ways to Play More Tennis:

• Every Sunday 8:30 - Open Play…..Just Show up!
• Every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 - Drop-In tennis on courts 3 and 4. All levels of play. Contact Marc Parham (marc.parham@gmail.com) to be included in his email notifications.
• Every Wednesday 10:00 - Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Skills with Eugenio. Just Drop In!
• Every Friday 10:00 - Ball Machine Clinic. Get a few pointers from an advanced player.

Spot light on ... Dave Kern

Did you know that in the late 1990s while living in Hawaii, Rossmoor’s, Dave Kern and his 50+ tennis team won the USTA Hawaii Pacific’s 4.0 senior sectionals which included all the neighboring islands. That gave the team a trip to nationals in Palm Springs, California. As a tune up to nationals, they competed in the Hawaii Pacific's 4.0,19+ adult league and won that as well. This is possibly the first time a USTA senior team won sectionals at both the senior and the adult levels. The team was racially diverse consisting of two Japanese two Chinese, one Filipino, one Samoan, and five Caucasians.

There's a new TENNIS SHOP in Town:

MRIVA SPORTS 2085 N. Broadway, #300. Walnut Creek

925-393-3549

Mon - Fri: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Linda Hague, Publicity
Rossmoor Tennis Club

The March General Meeting will be in the Fairway Room at Creekside at 1:30 p.m.

Come and share your ideas and suggestions about club activities

Calendar of Events

Tennis Tips from Eugenio ...

ATTACK THE MIDDLE OF THE COURT....

By hitting down the middle where the net is at it's lowest, one can create confusion between the opponents and it reduces the angle the opponent can make.

APPROACH THE SECOND SERVE....

Take the second serve early making your opponent uncomfortable with either a slice or topspin.

DON'T LET THE LOB BOUNCE....

Slide back to the service line so you can take balls out of the air...Close to the net for weaker lobs and ground strokes.

ATTACK THE NET PLAYER'S FEET...

When you have a high volley, target the opponent's feet.

The Next Shot is more important than

the last mistake

Linda Hague, Publicity
Rossmoor Tennis Club

Congratulations to Americans Madison Keys for winning the women's singles title at the Australian open and to Taylor Townsend winning women's doubles along with Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic!

Calendar of Events

Useful Information for Rossmoor Tennis Club Members

Financial Reports: The club's monthly financial reports are now integrated into our board meeting minutes for enhanced transparency (effective 2023). To access these reports:

Log into the RTC website

Navigate to "Events"

Select "Board Meeting"

Choose the specific month's meeting minutes you wish to review

Board Member Directory: To view our current board members, you can access the information through either of these paths on our website:

About → Club → RTC → Organization

About → Club → Welcome to the Rossmoor Tennis Club

Tennis Tips from Eugenio ...

Here are some key tips for returning serves in doubles tennis:

• Stand close to the service line, just inside the baseline. This aggressive positioning lets you take the ball early and put pressure on the serving team.
• Focus on getting the return back deep, ideally aiming between the two opponents. A deep return prevents them from easily attacking at the net and gives your partner time to move forward.
• Keep your return low - avoid hitting high, loopy returns that are easy to put away. A low shot makes it harder for the net player to be aggressive.
• On a second serve, move over to your weaker side and dare your opponent to hit to your strength.
• Send up a deep lob over the net player's head.

"Sportsmanship for me is when a guy walks off the court and you really can't tell whether he won or lost, when he carries himself with pride either way"

Jim Courier

Linda Hague, Publicity
Rossmoor Tennis Club