Monday, February 4, 2013

The USTA is not Color Blind


     As we enter Black History Month it is clear that we must remain vigilant in the continued quest for equality for people of color. This past September (2012) the USTA created another controversy when they suggested that world number one 16 year old Girls singles champion Taylor Townsend skip the US Open event for which she qualified for and work on conditioning. She is being trained under the USTA Player Development Program.
    
     Initially they said that If she did not withdraw from the event that they would not pay for her expenses. Her mother wold have none of this and came up with the expense money for her to compete in the tournament. She got to the quarter finals in singles and won the doubles event with her partner. How could she reach being number one without stamina and conditioning? Oh she happens to be African American. In a later statement after the tournament Patrick McEnroe, General Manager of the program issued a statement that  this was not the case and USTA under  Player Development would be picking up her expenses for the tournament. 

     Having worked on the USTA Minority Participation Committee at its inception in the early 1990's now changed to Multicultural Participation Committee, I can identify with some of the archaic and out of date thinking of some long time entrenched closed minded people within the organization. As in other parts of society African Americans continue to be undervalued, underestimated and marginalized.

Taylor Townsend
     Early in her career I remember an over weight and slow afoot Lindsay Davenport enjoying early success as  Girl's Junior Champion. Their was no suggestion that she skip big tournaments because of her condition. In a competitive situation I thought the adage of "Survival of the fittest" determines the out come of competitive sports. Who determines if some one is fit? Does body type enter the picture on the Women's Pro Tour?
 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

New Crop of African American Tennis players invade Pro Tour

Sloane Stephens
A new crop of African American females have invaded the pro tennis tour. Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, and Taylor Townsend to name a few. Sloane Stephens just ended an incredible run at the season's first Gland Slam event, the 2013 Australian Open, where she won a quarter final match against a ailing and sub-par Serena Williams and lost in the semi finals to world number one Victoria Azarenka 6 - 1, 6- 4. Leading 5-4 in the second set Azarenka took a 10 minute injury time out leaving the court on Stephens turn to serve. Although allowed in the rules it was very suspect as it appeared that she was coming  apart with nerves. Sloane learned her first lesson in gamesmanship. In a post match interview Azarenka admitted to a case of nerves and anxiety. Madison Keys made it to the second round in the same tournament, her first Grand Slam event.

Madison Keys
Taylor Townsend
Taylor Townsend just 16 years old is the number one female junior in the world. The future looks very bright on the female side. When will the male African Americans enter the scene? The last to show promise Donald Young seems to be in a serious funk after a disappointing 2012. Time is not on his side as he is now in his 20's and the window for success is closing.