Dominic Smith - It's wonderful to have this league

We caught up with Dominic Smith out of the Baltimore league and here's his story!

Which league are you a member of?

I am a member of the Tennis Baltimore League 40+ division as well as the competitive league 3.5 although I'm currently at the in-between rating of 3.25

 

How long have you participated in your league?

I started during the Summer of 2024, so this is my second season.

 

How did you first learn about it?

I googled Baltimore Tennis

 

How often do you play?

I try to get at least 2-3 matches a week, but play as often as possible along with training with a ball machine and occasional lessons

What do you like most about the league?

I love that it's intense and informable at the same time.  I can play as little or as much as I want and there's no pressure except that which I put on myself.

I also love getting to know the players and their different games as well as experiencing all the courts around the city.

 

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

My most memorable matches are those that I lost in a close tie-break as those tend to stick with me, but they serve as motivation for improvement.

 

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Brendan McElroy and I have had several epic battles on the court and I haven't been able to get over the hump and beat him.  Someday...

 

I recently played Miryam Yamadi and she has incredible form and tennis smarts and I look forward to playing her again.

 

Both Walter Parrish and Maurice Evans have great skill on the court and I learn by watching how they move and plan their strategy.

 

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

Just that it's been wonderful to have this league so that I could reconnect with the sport that I loved growing up, but had let get rusty in my middle age.

 

How did you get started playing tennis?

I grew up in the 80's and seeing the fantastic matches between Borg & McEnroe sealed the deal for me.  From there it was Tennis Camps, Middle School and High School Teams with some local tournaments thrown in occasionally.

 

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

Both!  First and foremost it's fun, but through the competition I get to measure myself against other players and losing is a great motivator for improvement.  

 

I try (emphasize "try") to tell myself that my muscles and fitness level don't care if I win or lose, but my mind and ego knows and I'd be lying if I said it didn't matter :)

 

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

In the league I'm currently at 3.25    I hope to get up to 3.5 soon, I just have to keep putting in the time through practice and playing matches.

 

What do you love about tennis? 

It's graceful and brutal at the same time with meditative qualities that get me in a zone that no other sport accomplishes for me.

I've heard it described as "long distance boxing" and I'd agree with that.  Tennis people I think would get that, others not so much.   

 

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

My favorite pro player all-time would be Pete Sampras.  He had such a graceful game and never seemed to have an outsize ego which always turned me off with some of the other players of his era.   Of course I loved the majesty of Federer, Nadal and love Djokovic's unrelenting drive.    The recent crop of men's players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are great as well.  On the women's side Martina Navritalova and Steffi Graf and later the Williams sisters set a high bar, which is being met today by Coco Grauf, Iga Swiatek and so many others that I enjoy watching.

 

I watch tennis for entertainment, but also to absorb their styles, steal and learn.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies (besides tennis)?

I grew up in Montgomery County Md in the DC suburb of Rockville.   My life revolved around playing the drums in many different bands and that is what I still do today, playing gigs all over the area with a large network of musical friends.

 

Besides tennis and music, I love spending time with my wife and daughter, hiking, travelling, biking, going to the movies and lap time with my dog Snowy.

 

Bruce Leto, Jr - Pistol Pete fan

We caught up with Bruce Leto, Jr. out of TennisPhilly.com.  He's already played nearly thirty "30" matches with us (two "2" championships), and well over twenty "20" USTA tournament Finals victories at the 4.0 and 4.5 level in NTRP.

What do you love about tennis?  

I love the mental aspect of playing and competing in high level singles matches - breaking a sweat and really taking one's mind off of everything through healthy competition. Doubles is a great exercise in teamwork, collaboration, and mental toughness. It's also great being outside - especially when the weather breaks.

Which league are you a member of?

I am a member of the Tennis Philly League - 4.5+ Elite Division.

How long have you participated in your league?

I have been a member since 2024 and love it - Steve does a magnificent job of coordinating thousands of players; is super responsive, polite, and offers SO many incredible opportunities to get on the court!

How did you first learn about it?

Through a Google Search :)

How often do you play?

I play tennis 3-5 days a week, as well as coaching a Mixed Doubles Team out of Upper Dublin in Philadelphia, PA & 18+ Men's Team.

What do you like most about the league?

What I like most about TLN is meeting great people who like to compete and also grab something to eat off of the court (or even network)! I've worked with quite a number of fellow tennis players from TLN with regards to my website design and digital marketing company: www.dynamicwaveconsulting.com

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

I had a great match with Neeraj Dubey in the A Division this Winter - 3 hour match in 38 degree weather. 7-5, 6-7, 12-10. Down to the wire..! I also loved my TLN A Division Doubles Championship with partner Matt Gold (pic attached). He's an NTRP 3.0 but we went on to with several 4.0 tournaments thereafter and went undefeated last summer - the chemistry was awesome!

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Will DiPaulo - he and I became close friends (and even captain a team) as a result of playing against each other in this league.

How did you get started playing tennis?

Started as a kid at the JKST in Ardmore - parents got me involved in some local SR tournaments, which initially got me in a competitive mindset. Competing as a kid...trains you to be tough both physically and mentally at a young age, which translates into other aspects of life, as well. Later on, I played a little bit at Haverford College - Division III.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

To compete, but I also think there's something almost meditative (and fun) about hitting against the wall or working on the serve, and really trying to refine one's strokes.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

My NTRP Rating is a 4.0C; however, I play mostly 4.5 Draws (Singles & Doubles) at Upper Dublin and in Tennis Philly. Realistically, I think that I'm somewhere between the two. Additionally, I play in the 30+ open draw where you get a mix of talent (Ranging from 3.5 to 5.0). https://www.usta.com/en/home/myaccount/player.html#tab=tournaments&tab1=about

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

"Pistol" Pete Sampras! His serve and brilliant one-handed backhand down the line are unmatchable.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?

I founded and run Dynamic Wave Consulting (www.dynamicwaveconsulting.com), which has been featured as a Top Five "5" Nationwide Digital Marketing Firm on Yahoo! Finance; Forbes.com Expert, Winner of Several UI/UX Design Awards, and the #1 Rated Direct Marketing Firm in Philadelphia by The Manifest. Schedule a no-risk marketing consultation with us today at: www.dynamicwaveconsulting.com/contact-us. We'd love to help you :)

Matteo Boffo - Love Tennis: It's a mental sport that requires being quite fit.

We caught up with Matteo Boffo out of TennisDenver.com franchise.  He's already played an amazing 100 matches in just 2 short years. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies.

I was born and raised in the north east of Italy, near Venice. I've been in the US since 2010 and I've recently become a citizen. I'm a chef and I work for a wine distributor. Cooking (and eating) is my biggest passion.

Which league are you a member of?

Tennis Denver.com

How long have you participated in your league?

Since the summer of 2022.

How did you first learn about it?

Random player I met at the tennis court.

How often do you play?

I try to play every week, sometimes twice a week

What do you like most about the league?

Very practical for someone with an unpredictable work schedule like me.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

I recently met Milena Nikolova and we had some very fun matches. She gets to every ball!!!

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Milena Nikolova.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

99% of the players are very pleasant and bring a positive energy to the court

How did you get started playing tennis?

During the pandemic I bought a racket and started playing out of curiosity.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I play to have fun. If I win it's a bonus.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating) 

4

What do you love about tennis?  

You have to think quickly while going through demanding physical movements. It's a mental sport that requires being quite fit.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Jannik Sinner. His mental strength is unbelievable.

Wendy Burger - There are so many ways in which you can improve.

We caught up with Wendy Burger out of TennisDC.com.  She's already played an amazing 151 matches and will be joining us for her 2nd national championship this coming weekend.

What do you love about tennis?  

My favorite thing about tennis is how there is no ceiling. There are so many ways in which you can improve.

Which league are you a member of?

I am a member of the DC Tennis League, women’s singles division A.

How long have you participated in your league?

I have been a member since 2022.

How did you first learn about it?

I first heard about TLN through my tennis coach Gustavo Minc.

How often do you play?

I play tennis 5 days a week.

What do you like most about the league?

What I like most about TLN is the ease of finding great people to play with at short notice.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

My most memorable match was a summer playoff final that lasted over 3.5 hours in the blazing DC heat. We had many long rallys. Really long rallys like over 30 hits each. We left everything we had on the court.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

My favorite rival is Elizabeth Solem. She is athletic, scrappy and super competative. Mostly she is just really fun to play and a really funy person.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I always loved tennis but never played consistently until Covid. On a frigid winter day 2020, I met my new coach. He was playing in the freezing cold and I thought whelp that is dedication. I just decided that I was going to find my game. I have played tennis almost everyday since then.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I definitley play tennis for fun but love to compete. Finding strategies to beat my opponents helps me to improve my own game. .

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

My NTRP rating is 3.5.

What do you love about tennis?  

My favorite thing about tennis is how there is no ceiling. There are so many ways in which you can improve.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

My favorite pro player is Rafa Nadal. Love the lefties! He’s so fast and focussed and makes just impossible shots, so fun to watch! Aryna Sabalenka is my favorite female pro. She’s just such a powerhouse and a relentless fighter.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?

I am an architect and have run my own firm in DC for the last 20 years. A fun fact about me is that I designed former President Obama’s DC home. I grew up in US but my parents were immigrants: Chilean, Italian, Peruvian & German. I tend to gravitate towoards a more international community. I have found that with tennis and the TLN community as well!

 

 

Darin Stojanovic - 246 matches and counting!

We caught back up with Darin Stojanovic out of the Tennis Philadelphia franchise is increasing his tennis game.  He started his tennis journey in the summer of 2022 at the 3.0 level and then in the fall division 2024 season competed at the 3.50 level.  His favorite color is blue and there he is getting ready for a match at Parkside tennis courts.

What do you love about tennis?

Tennis gives me the exercise I need to stay physically and mentally engaged.  The fun part is wearing bright neon attire and experimenting with new gear.  In the winter, I play indoors at Legacy Youth Tennis and Education courts.  Here I am playing in the summertime wearing a visor with advanced technology to keep me cool in those hot hard-court outdoor matches.  

How long have you participated in your league?

I have been a part of the league every season since 2022 Spring season #2.   

How did you first learn about it?

I never knew about the league while living in Philadelphia.  I took a few lessons at Legacy and my opponents suggested I look into Philly Tennis.

How often do you play?

I play every day when the weather is nice and take weekends to rest.   My favorite surface to play on is clay since you can slide to catch those wide shots or go for that incredibly spinning drop-shot.  There is me playing in the evening at Logan Tennis Club.

What do you like most about the league?

I like the competitiveness between the players. There are so many people playing that you can play all the time!!!   The league brings people together from various tennis skills, ages, and backgrounds.  It is a very affordable way to play tennis.  

Tell us about your most memorable match(es).

The best match is when two players are equal in skill and they try and outdo each other.  The match goes on for three hours and has many deuces and the winner usually wins by 2 points at the final tie-breaker.    

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Two people stand out:  matches against Benjamin Fedosky and Evan Benn are always fun to play. We push each other to hit deep top-spin faster, slice closer to the net, lob consistently or hit wider serves, and become better tennis players overall. 

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

People at the 3.5 level have a wide variety of skillsets.  Someone is good at serving or lobs or deep shots.  Nobody has the game all around and it makes the matches very interesting to watch as we battle with different techniques and strategies to win.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I played as a kid over the summer and took some afterschool lessons.  I didn’t take tennis seriously during my childhood and had a racket just in case friends wanted to play for fun.   I didn’t play a lot during my 20s and 30s.  In my 40s I looked for an exercise sport and tennis suited me more compared to running and biking.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I want both.   I usually shift on the fun side that way when I lose, I still feel like I had a great time.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

Currently I am playing at the 3.25 level.   I was at the 3.5 level over the 2024 summer/fall season and then I got bumped down for the winter season.  I improve slowly and some parts of my game are still developing.  As the spring season gets in full swing, I get promoted to a higher division and then later moved down a level.  I feel like stronger players join the season in the fall.   Overall, I am moving forward!!  I feel like my slice serve is best move.  There is me playing a match at Fairmount Park Tennis Courts and trying to get a kick-serve going from ad side.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

I follow the tennis matches from Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. They have so much mental strength to push through toughest moments to win.  They display character during their matches and that is more important than winning the match.  My favorite is still Djokovic and his displays of desire and endurance to win the gold medal at 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?

I grew up abroad and moved to different countries before settling in the US. Currently I reside in Philadelphia with my wife and two small Chihuahua mixes. I stay very active with tennis or walking the trails with my wife and dogs.  On those cold rainy days, I find myself working out or reading.  I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill hence my blue color choices.   

Mersid Turjacanin - Has gone from not playing to playing a whole bunch

We caught up with Mersid Turjacanin out of our JacksonvilleTennisLeague.com.  Here's his story.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

When I signed up for the league and started playing alot of my family and friends started playing as well and now we all play together. We went from no one playing, to having a group of about 10 friends and family that play.

Which league are you a member of?

Currently Competitive 2 Fall Jacksonville, Florida.

How long have you participated in your league?

I started in the summer league and now this is my 2nd - 3 months total.

How did you first learn about it?

I signed up in 2021 but due to injury retired. Now I am back and excited as ever to play Tennis.

How often do you play?

I try to play everyday, but sometimes the body needs rest. 3-4x a week minimum.

What do you like most about the league?

I love the flexibility of the league and how it brings people together. Builds new friendships.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

Most memorable match was my first match because it felt good to be back from injury and swing a racket without pain. Even though I lost, I loved being out there and enjoying the beautiful sport.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Ricardo Santos seems to be my best rival at the moment. We are 1-1 against each other and we always have a close marathon match.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I was always a tennis fanatic. Never played but always watched. My brother in law who started trash talking that he could beat me encouraged me to start, and I love it. Also, following Federer my whole life I always wanted to be out there and try it out.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I am a competitor. Competition is what drives me. 

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

3.25

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Roger Federer because the game he played was so beautiful. It was so effortless and majestic looking. He was a true champion and a true professional. He always had the best behavior and never had any controversy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies (besides tennis)? (Feel free to share any interesting details about your life.)

I am originally from Bosnia and moved to the Florida in 1999 when I was 7 years old. I went to school in Florida at UNF and got my graduate degree at FIU. Currently I am a financial investigator and I also referee soccer. I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing new challenges in future matches. Get out there and get swinging!

Jana Upshaw - Loves her Charleston tennis community

We caught up with Jana Upshaw from Charleston Tennis League.  She's played an amazing 100 matches over the past 5 years. 

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

It’s a great way to practice without the pressure of a team. No one except maybe the others in the league are looking at your scores

Which league are you a member of?

Charleston Tennis League

How long have you participated in your league?

5 -6 years.

What do you like most about the league?

I really appreciate the camaraderie - It’s like a community of singles players and we often band together for the UDTA singles league

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)-

Charleston is a lovely place to play with a  vibrant tennis community. I have special fondness for some of the match’s I have played by Colonial lake.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

There is one friend who I play frequently at 7 am and it often goes to a third set tiebreaker - you know who you are.

How did you get started playing tennis?

My son was playing junior tennis- he pulled me in.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

Both

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

3.0

What do you love about tennis? 

I ran track in high school and college- With track there is a huge component of “you have it or you don’t.” Tennis is more complex with different shots and strategies. It’s like physical chess.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies (besides tennis)?

As a sports medicine physician I do believe that tennis adds years to your life. It is mentally stimulating and it keeps you active. I am a big believer in “use it or lose it.” I get very excited and hopeful when I see the oldest generation on the court.