Posts Tagged tennis

Direction to Westside Tennis Club

December 17, 2009 at 6:54 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged

Westside Tennis Club at Forest Hills
1 Tennis Place
Forest Hills, NY 11375
718-268-2300
Forest Hills Tennis

Har-tru courts in bubbles during winter months. In 2006 leading up to the Flushing Meadow’s US Open.

Mar 13, 2013 .. a place full of history

Mar 13, 2013 .. a place full of history

Westside is Har-tru.

They have the old bubble which has 4 courts and the new bubble which is all the way in the back that has 6 courts. Surface is kind of crude since it usually never groomed when we play.

The last time I went there, they made me park in the back lot which is dark and scary!!! You can try to play dumb and try getting into the front lot which is much more warmer feeling. It’s still a long walk to the back courts. Suggest everyone get there 30 min to spare to figure out where they’re going if you’ve never been there. Do not park in the street since your car will be booted.

WSTC has a parking lot that you get in through a street called Tennis Place. I think the best way is to take Queens Blvd to Continental Ave (71st ST) Go under the Long Island Railroad train bridge and make a right on Dartmouth. From Dartmouth make a right turn onto Tennis Place. The Parking lot is on the left near the end of Tennis Place. You can only get to Tennis Place (one way street) from Dartmouth.

By Subway:
E, F, R, or V trains to 71st (Continental) Avenue Station. Leave station at 71st Avenue, south side of Queens Boulevard exit. Walk south on 71st Avenue towards the L.I. Railroad underpass (2 blocks). Walk under the overpass and immediately turn right on Burns Street. Walk one block and turn left on Tennis Place; the Club entrance is on the right.

By Railroad:
The Forest Hills Station of the LIRR is within two blocks of The West Side Tennis Club. Go to MTA website for schedules.

By Car:
Manhattan: Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge to Queens. Follow signs for Queens Blvd. Queens Blvd. to 71st (Continental) Avenue. Right onto 71st Avenue and proceed three blocks to Dartmouth Street. Right onto Dartmouth Street, proceed one block to Tennis Place and make a right.
Alternate Route: Triborough Bridge to the Grand Central Parkway. Go to Exit 11 – Jewel Avenue. The exit ramp puts you on a street parallel with the expressway. Turn right at end of the exit ramp (69th Road). Follow 69th Road to 108th Street. Turn left on 108th St. and proceed directly across Queens Blvd. onto 71st Continental Avenue. Proceed three blocks and turn right onto Dartmouth Street. Proceed one block to Tennis Place and make a right.
Long Island (North Shore): Long Island Expressway to Van Wyck Expressway South. Take Van Wyck Expressway south to Jewel Avenue exit. Turn right at end of the exit ramp (69th Road). Follow 69th Road to 108th Street. Turn left and proceed directly across Queens Blvd. onto 71st Continental Avenue. Proceed three blocks and turn right onto Dartmouth Street. Proceed one block to Tennis Place and make a right.
Alternate Route….Grand Central Parkway West to Queens Blvd. Exit. Take Queens Blvd. west to 71st (Continental) Avenue. Turn left onto 71st Avenue and proceed three blocks to Dartmouth Street. Turn right and proceed one block to Tennis Place and make a right.
Long Island (South Shore): Southern State Parkway west to Belt Parkway. Belt Parkway to Van Wyck Expressway north. Van Wyck Expressway to the Queens Blvd exit. At the end of the exit ramp turn right onto Queens Blvd. Take Queens Blvd. west to 71st (Continental) Avenue. Turn left onto 71st Avenue and proceed three blocks to Dartmouth Street. Turn right and proceed one block to Tennis Place and make a right.

Leave a Comment

Direction to Queens College Tennis Center

December 17, 2009 at 6:50 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged

Queens College Tennis Center:
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing NY 11367-1597
(718) 997-2771
QC tennis

By Public Transportation:
LIRR or #7 train to Main Street. Take the Q25, Q25-34, Q34 or Q17 bus to the College Main entrance.
E/F/G/R subway to 71st and Continental Avenue. Exit at the North side 70th Ave & 108th Street. Take the Q64 to Kissena Blvd. and Jewel Avenue. Walk North 1 block to the campus.

By Car:
Manhattan:
Take the LIE East to Exit 24 (Kissena Blvd.). Immediately go to the far right lane, and turn right almost a U-turn) onto Reeves Avenue. Make the first 1st left onto campus through Gate 3. Make the 1st right, go past the gym and then turn right and park in front of the bubble.
Long Island:Take the LIE West to Main Street. Make a left at the light and cross over the expressway. Make a left onto Reeves Avenue. Turn right onto campus through Gate 3. Make the 1st right, go past the gym and then turn right and park in front of the bubble.

QC parking rules: free parking on weekends and generally after 8 on Fridays and that’s because they have to control the students parking on campus without permits. QC tennis parking permits are for sale subject to approval $20 for the entire year. Again, they have to check that you are not buying it for a student’s benefit. For a USTA match, showing a USTA ID should get you in since the tennis office tells the guard when there is a USTA match scheduled.

Comments (1)

Direction to National Tennis Center

December 17, 2009 at 6:37 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged ,

NTC – USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (12 indoor courts: 6, 3, 3)

Flushing Meadows, Queens
(718) 760 6200
USTA; the site map; to reserve a court

Rates: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019,

By Subway:
Take the IRT #7 Flushing subway to the Shea Stadium / Willets Point Station. The Tennis Center is about a three-minute walk down the ramp from the station.
By Railroad:
The Long Island Railroad Port Washington branch departs from Penn Station to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Shea Stadium / Willets Point Station). Contact the railroad for schedule information at (718)217-5477.

By Car:
From Manhattan: Take the Triborough Bridge to the Grand Central Parkway (East). Travel approximately three miles until the I-678/RT-25A E/Northern Blvd exit — toward the Whitestone Bridge (it’s exit #9E). Then take the RT-25A E/Northern Blvd ramp toward Shea Stadium. At the exit ramp, make a right onto Stadium Road. Take that road straight until the second stop sign, where you will then take a left. The Tennis Center will be located on your right.

From Brooklyn: Take the Jackie Robinson Parkway to the Grand Central Parkway (West). Travel three miles toward the Triboro Bridge, exit at the Flushing Meadows/Corona Park/Tennis Center (it’s exit #9P). At the end of the exit ramp make a left. Then at stop sign make a right onto Meridan Road. The Tennis Center is located on your right.
From Long Island: Take the Long Island Expressway/I-495W to exit number 22A, which is the Grand Central Parkway (West). Travel half a mile toward the Triboro Bridge, exit at the Flushing Meadows/Corona Park/Tennis Center (exit #9P). At the end of the exit ramp make a left. Then at stop sign make a right onto Meridan Road. The Tennis Center is located on your right.
-or-
Take the Long Island Expressway/I-495W, and exit just before the Grand Central Parkway, at College Point Blvd. Take College Point Blvd. to Avery Avenue, and make a left onto Avery Avenue. Go to the corner stop sign and make a right. Follow that road until you get to a stop sign and make another right. Go straight and the Tennis Center is located on your left.

Comments (1)

Eastern @ Melville

December 14, 2009 at 11:30 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged ,

Wrong info prior: Eastern Athletic Club has few branches and my Long Island team is based at Melville not at Dix Hills, which is much nicer. Aside from gym, etc. there are 5 courts divided by a viewing alley with sofas. The courts are new and comfortable – better than Alley Pond and Cunningham, IMHO. The lighting’s good too – just bit far: LIE exit 49.
Eastern Athletic Club
100 Ruland Road
Melville, NY 11747
(631) 420-1310
~
locker room DSCN2949 DSCN2953 DSCN2956
~
Our second match was against Blue Point, we won 2:1 – lost the second doubles. I wasn’t in the lineup but gone there to hit with my teammates. Captain Jamie who’s tennis director at the club collected $5 per player extra to provide refreshment, drinks/chips/shrimps – Queens teams don’t do that.

Comments (1)

Catch me if you can

December 11, 2009 at 11:49 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged ,

Tennis is fun, and remember it is just a game.  It’s not like we’re playing at the Wimbledon or US Open where million dollar prize money is on the line.

It’s remarkable hearing few weekend hackers misbehaving. They would travel that extra mile to elude or ignore the authority after they were warned or suspended from the league.   The crimes were mostly steming from wrong ranking –  sizeable players insisted to play at the level they did not belong – usually lower (how does one feel winning over a kindergarten?) or punching someone on court.  The Local League Coordinator (Metro) is strong willed lady who said she’ll find out and chase you down, no matter how difficulty. 

One man wanting to play so much, after being suspended, he changed the spelling of his last name and joined the league again.
“How about a photo ID?” I asked, thinking last season the 3.5 team had doubt of a player they’ve never seen.
“Don’t even go there.” The LLC lady replied.  So that can of warms are save inside.

USTA has rule requiring the former collegiate players rank at least at 4.0 level. One lady perhaps likes to win too much or work too little, she used her maid name. The LLC lady caught her by comparing pictures and info from few web sites .. that included her wedding announcement on her alumni site.

One case involved private investigator. Not sure who paid for the investigator’s service.

It seems most arguments are around ranking ..

For a ball park ranking, LLC said she just figured this formula out:
2.5 = you barely could get the ball over the net – that sounds awfully like Irene, on a good hair day.
3.0 = you have some form of control, you can hit the ball to the corner/line by a yard.
3.5 = you have good control and hit the ball to the line by a foot
4.0 = you have great control and hit the ball to the line by six inches
4.5 = you can place the fuzzy ball near the line by an inch
5.0 = by an hair
5.5 = on the line
6.0 = Jonny Mac will be calling you [I add this cause couldn’t remember what she said any more .. my bad .. ]
6.5 = Pete Sampras’ calling ..

It was very entertaining to hear from Lady LLC directly but unfortunately neither my mouth nor hand could keep up with her. Be assured someone is trying hard to keep the weekend hackers happy and the game we all love fair.

Comments (1)

Mrs. Eng goes to Washington

December 11, 2009 at 11:47 pm · Filed under Tennis ·Tagged ,

Before the start of each season the League would host a meeting for the captains. My first meeting falls on a weekday night in middle of December.

The 2009 holiday season was not a merry one in New York. Although the 76 ft tall Norway spruce tree from Easton, CT  at the Rockefeller Center and the major shoppers meccas were all lighted in the city, the mood was anxious and cautious. Wall Street has gone through a bear market and a bull market Seles’ bell ringing. We were in the renewed bear market since last summer (2008). The fourth-largest investment bank in the US Lehman Brothers went belly up [At 1:45am on September 15, 2008 filed Chapter 11.] last autumn, triggering the $700 billion bailout to save the American financial system. A friend of mine who has been working at Lehman Bro for the past 25 years. Over night, she was not only jobless but saw her retirement account dried up. The dire circumstance was befell on almost everyone. Even Larry Flynt chipped in to ask for a piece of sweet American pie for his porn industry. The Dow would close at 6,547.05, on March 9, 2009, a 12-year low.

The Queens USTA mixed doubles captains‘ meeting was held at Jackson Steakhouse in Long Island City. That Wednesday started out lousy, rainy, yucky and depressy. Hmmmm.. actually when I have had more time, I really enjoyed rain once in a while. Have a cup of tea or glass of wine, sit by the window, counting the rain drops. Another era and another life time. But by the time I dragged myself out of the house, the weather has turned nice, the temperature was hovering above 50 and sun even made appearances. I went to swim. The pool was uncrowded. But I didn’t feel very light. Perhaps haven’t swum often enough. Felt like a Titanic – there were often times when I feel like a speed boat. I only managed 30 laps. After 20 straight in free, I began breaststrokes, then saw the beautiful sunset through the glass bubble. The top of the sky was bright and followed by light brown, a cup of latte or eggnog 🙂 and tree tops … very pretty. It made me almost regret being in the water. Swimming pool is always a safe heaven for me, perhaps for everyone else too: no matter it’s scrounging summer day or blistering winter storm, the temperature remains comfortable, a 世外桃源 xanadu.

I was late for my first ever meeting (hello Irene!!). There were about 50+ players: volunteers, coordinators and captains. The Local League Coordinator for Metro was a lady who is unpaid volunteer with a 60-hour per week full time job. She went over the dos, don’ts and rules, new and old. Don’t know where she works and what she does but if were she the head of the – SEC – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, would we be in this mess right now? Probably NOT! Ok, the likelihood of her running the SEC was as much as Larry Flynt is asking for a bailout, but the seriousness of the League took me by surprise.

One of don’ts was be nice to a new comer. Many teams need more player and there are in fact many players looking for a team – that’s how I was being placed on a team and played once many years ago.
“Don’t tell a self claimed 4.5 he’s only 2.5.” The bigger the number indicates a higher playing skill. Serena and Roger are all ranked 7+. A person just starts out to learn to play with the skill that could push the ball over the net is likely to be at 2.0 level.
There was round of laugh.
“Be nice and tell him that your team isn’t right for him. I don’t want him going around and bad mouth us.” Even tennis league is recruiting.

The restaurant looks pretty neat for LIC standard. Pam ordered some wings and calamari with drinks. The waiter brought my glass of Chianti that filled to the brim like soda – my theory is that the fuller the wine is in a glass the lower the restaurant is in ranking. No dinner was followed; finger food and drinks were on USTA or Metro Tennis.

After the meeting, LLC stayed for nearly an hour tutored the six of us, the newbies. There was a pair who heads 6.0, and two cute Asian men we might face: they head 7.0. They said the league’s average age is 48. I knew why: we have to wait till our kids grow up – not that I was around much when mine were younger. ..

Over all, I’m glad to know the League is being well managed – although there are improvements (which organization doesn’t need?) .. . The girls who ran it were professional and able. Clearly they have passion for it, trying to make the game fair. Not sure why USTA doesn’t pay them. Perhaps we’re all nuts about the game, so they [USTA] knew they could get freebies.

P.S. I would find out later that the volunteers are paid ..

____________________

Comments (1)

It’s just a game

December 3, 2009 at 6:28 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged ,

Tennis, isn’t just a game? But it looks like the USTA weekend hackers’ league means business.

One has to be well heeled to play:

  • USTA membership fee
  1. Adult: $40 per year ($110 for 3 years, $160 for 5 years and $750 for life)
  2. Family: $65 per year $175 for 3 and $160 for 5 years.
  • USTA registration $10 (?)
  • Team or roster fee: $22 (?)
  • Playing fee: varies from club to club. (It’s $20 per person – as guest – on Long Island. Did I hear that’s more expensive in Queens?)

No free love there. Kidding aside, they not only have stringent rules but also year-end ratings. The local league coordinator is sending reminder for the mandatory captain’s meeting next week. Newbie Irene is required to stay after dinner for extra training. If Wall Street does half of that, we probably still loading up Lehman Brothers’ stocks.

JanetOne of my top guns is being bumped to 4.5 and since he’s benchmark, he can’t appeal. 唉声叹气 aisheng tanqi – heavy and deep sighs. My hair just turned grayer. Am I going to cold calling again?! Give me a break guys, will you?

Irene..

What’s benchmark? All US mkts are down now .. can you guys talk in Chinese -:)

One of the top guns enlightened me ..

Benchmark means he will sit on the bench so long, his butt will leave a mark

Today isn’t my day: this morning I lost two should-have-won sets; 2:1. On the brighter side, I got my $330 cell phone money back: I didn’t on my last contract. It’s a long story. Anyway, Janet, the girl who opened my account for the current contract seemed to transformed herself from a high school girl into an alluring lady: When I first met her this past May, she wore no make up, and looked like a little girl.
“Are you high school kid?” I was thinking about Pumpkin’s job hunting request.
“No, I’m 19.”
Then she went on to tell me how she got hired and how much did she get paid: $9 per hour.
Today, just happened she served me again and I didn’t remember her – with her make up. She has the sunniest disposition and is very sweet. Morning birds chirping comes to mind. I snapped this picture. The young boy behind her informed me,

“She’s our 店花.”

Giggles.

Her boss, Steve was mad,

“You can’t take a picture of my movie star.”

Ha ha ha..

I knew there were 4 girls called Flushing Beauty or something – long time ago. Shirley’s one.

“Why don’t you compete in beauty pageant?”

“I did but I’m camera shy.” She replied.

Sigh.

The power of make up. .. And I don’t claim to a photogrpher.

Leave a Comment

Meet the Fockers

November 18, 2009 at 10:06 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged ,

Eastern Athletic ClubAfter few failed attempts, my Long Island 7.0 Mixed Doubles team finally met and played. Three handsomes and five beautifuls showed up for work at Eastern Athletic Club. We rotated around and played with and against each other. I was last for the game – could have been there early but I was too creative, took the 25A, Northern Blvd instead the more straightforward LIE. Far more scenic but ..

The Eastern Athletic Club in Dix Hills will be our home for the season, which starts last weekend and ends April 30, 2010. Our captain Jamie is a member there. Not sure what’s the cause but we didn’t play our opening match. The second match is this Sunday at World Gym in Setauket. I’m on the list. It’s far out in the Island, 60 miles!

The Northern State Parkway Reportedly we have a kid who’s just graduated from college. The top gun I hope.
One girl who dressed in pink is a singles player who lost her concentration often. I could relate to that. Although I’ve been playing doubles for the past few years but I found myself wondering around while the point was still in motion, often.

No do, Irene.

I took the Northern State Parkway home. The winding road was flanked by the turning leaves. Very pretty indeed.

Leave a Comment

USTA Spring 2009 season rules

November 13, 2009 at 6:42 pm · Filed under Sports ·Tagged ,

USTA Spring’09 Season Rules

Leave a Comment

My notes

November 13, 2009 at 3:45 pm · Filed under Tennis ·Tagged ,

There are more rules and regulations with main street weekend hackers than Wall Street professionals. So many that I have to take notes and post it here so it wouldn’t get lost or eaten by a dog. More to follow as I’m plowing further.

USTA Adult leagues are divided into layers of organization

  • National
  • Sectional (Eastern)
  • Regional (Metro; Long Island; NJ)
  • District (Manhattan, Queens & Brooklyn)
  • Divisions

There are something ..

  • The Dos
    1. Validate your availability on MTG and make update as needed
    2. Confirm your match when you receive the line up
    3. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the match
  • On court
    1. Warm up properly
    2. Call out every score clearly
  • Don’t
    1. be late
    2. leave the court unless the match has complete
  • Be aware
    1. timed match

Leave a Comment

« Newer Posts · Older Posts »