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.

Ali Oromchian - appreciates tennis for its blend of physical agility, mental strategy

We caught up with Ali Oromchian whose played an amazing 73 matches over the past year.  Here's his TLN story. 

Which league are you a member of?  

I’m part of East Bay Tennis League which is in the SF Bay Area

How long have you participated in your league?  

2 years.

How did you first learn about it?  

I was playing in a different league and one of the players highly recommended it because of the type of players and the ability to play a lot of matches. 

How often do you play? 

I tried to play 3 to 4 times per week if my travel schedule allows.

What do you like most about the league? 

I love the competitive nature and camaraderie that comes with it as everyone tries really hard, but doesn’t take themselves too seriously. More importantly, everyone has things to work on and so it’s fun seeing the different things people do and how they try to challenge themselves.  Additionally, except for one situation where a player was using his watch to call balls in and out (incorrectly I might add), the sportsmanship and respect among players is a highlight of this league. 

Tell us about your most memorable match(es). 

I think my most memorable match was a regular season match where the opponent was in a league above me but we were both above 40 so we could play against each other, and we went to three sets with a score of 6-7, 7-6, 7-6. It was close to a three hour match and it took me a few days to recover so thank god I won.  

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why? 

There are some really great relationship I’ve built over the past two years but I enjoy playing against Chuck as he always destroys me in the first set and then the game gets competitive. I also like playing against Marco as we basically started at the same time.  

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

I think one of the best experiences I’ve had in the league was going to the national championship in Miami and getting to play against people from across the country. 

How did you get started playing tennis? 

I picked it up about 2.5 years ago after years of wanting to play but not having the time.   I regret not playing as a kid as it’s a great active sport.  

Do you play to compete, or for fun?  

I play because it’s fun but I compete hard because what’s the point if you don’t want to win every point:)

What level player are you?

(NTRP rating) 3.5

What do you love about tennis?  

I appreciate tennis for its blend of physical agility, mental strategy, and the individual nature of the sport. Each match is a test of endurance, skill, and tactical thinking.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why? 

Andre Agassi because his unique playing style, with powerful groundstrokes and exceptional return of serve, made his matches exciting to watch.  And I love his comeback story as everyone thought he was done.  

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’m an attorney and grew up in the Bay Area and have been here for 40 years.  I have three girls so they keep me busy which is why tennis is a great stress reliever for me.   One interesting detail is that I was rescued once by a helicopter when I was hiking in a very remote area and got lost using a hiking app.

Gregory Gregg - Has meet some great people through TennisNewYork.com

We caught up with Gregory Gregg out of TennisNewYork.com. 

He's already an amazing 94 matches (Amazingly he has 47 wins and 47 loses) into his playing career and he just won his first championship at the Competitive level.

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

I never expected to meet such great people, who genuinely love the game and just want to play…I have yet to meet a jerk in the league and a few of the guys have actually become good friends outside of the courts which is awesome! Also a great place to network professionally.

Which league are you a member of?

TennisNewYork, Men’s Competitive 3.5

 

How long have you participated in your league?

April 2022

How did you first learn about it?

I played tennis for most of my life but when I moved to NYC in 2008, it was much harder to find courts and playing partners…when I turned 40, my husband reminded me how much I loved tennis and said that I should try and find a league…he actually ended up finding this one for me, signed me up and the rest as they say is history!

How often do you play?

I play as much as possible; ideally 2-3 times a week but at least 1-2 times a week.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

My greatest memory on the court would be when I won one of the tournaments…before 2022, I hadn’t even hit a ball in over 10 years so my expectations were quite low in general when I returned to the sport…other memorable matches included some underhand serving (on their part, not mine) and getting to play on the campus at Columbia or at the USTA site as the facilities are excellent.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

My favorite rivals are Brett H. (our games match up well and we always have a battle), Pedro M. (he always pushes me to be better) and Marshall D. (lefties are tricky for me and he is great at disguising his shots and keeping you guessing until the ball is hit).

How did you get started playing tennis?

I started playing tennis when I was a kid; I took private lessons with some of my friends that I went to elementary school with and just fell in love with the game. I then played on my high school team, took a long hiatus and am thrilled to be back and playing again competitively.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I play to compete; for me, tennis is a unique sport in that it is individual and allows you to work on so many qualities that are great just for everyday life (focus, perseverance, fitness, mental agility, creativity)…it is the competition that gets me going and fired up to be better on and off the court.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Alcaraz (he has it all…the charisma, the star quality, the attitude, the shots, the serve, the variety). Ostapenko (she goes for it no matter what the score is…totally fearless on the court). Seles (I don’t think we’ll see a teenager even achieve that level of grand slam success…IMO the most mentally tough person to ever play the game). I started out with two hands on both sides because I admired her game so much.

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 moved to NYC ~ 15 years ago; I grew up at the Jersey Shore so I always knew that the “big city” was going to be my home…all the noise, the excitement, the buildings, the entertainiment…there was and is nowhere else I want to live. I have been married for almost 8 years to my husband, KC, and live in Hudson Yards. I love to cook, travel, entertain, watch movies, exercise and explore…you can always find something new to do or a place to see in NYC. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tabrez Khan - 500 Matches Played, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

 

Tennis League Network has been blessed to have Tabrez Khan participate in our Tampa franchise for 14 long and wonderful years.  We've been in business for 19 years so he's definitely one of our grizzled veterans.  We had to meet him at a National Tournament like 8 years ago.  

Which league are you a member of?

I am a member of the Tampa Bay tennis community

How long have you participated in your league?

I have been a member of this league for about 14 years now.

How did you first learn about it?

I first learned about this league by just searching on Google for a good tennis league in Tampa

How often do you play?

I try to play at least 1 match a week.

What do you like most about the league?

I like the flexibility and the easy to follow rules that this league offers.  It is all about encouraging more tennis!

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

Some of my most memorable matches have also been the longest.  

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

A few of my favorite rivals are: Rob Quinn, Marty Paukstys, Nikhil Kumbalkhar, Blake Baumgartner, Ravi Darira,  Andrew Epperson, Kevin Thurman, Arnab Ray, Omar Abdelghany, Raj Anne, Atul Arya, Azhar Shaikh and Chantel Newman.

I have been playing with some of these friends for several years now.   They all have different strengths and weaknesses and strategies and it is a lot of fun playing with all of them. I think my first match in this league was with Rob Quinn and I just played match number 500 with Romit Jain a couple weeks ago.

I have the most number of wins(326) in the league so far.  Raj is right on my heels and I have to start getting younger and fitter to keep up with him!

How did you get started playing tennis?

Tennis is a great sport and I have been playing since I was a teenager. It is a great way to relieve stress and stay active while developing long time friends and a little friendly competition makes it all the more fun.

I play with my uncle Farukh Khan and my brother in law Fawad Ansari whenever we get together. Let's just say one of us wins all the time! 

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

My current league rating is 3.75.  It has been between 3.25 and 4.75 over the past few years.   

It feels great to have played more than 500 matches for the league and to have the most number for wins in Tennistampabay.com