Thursday, May 22, 2025

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.  

 

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.

 


Friday, March 14, 2025

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! FinanceForbes.com Expert, Winner of Several UI/UX Design Awards, and the #1 Rated Direct Marketing Firm in Philadelphia by The ManifestSchedule a no-risk marketing consultation with us today at: www.dynamicwaveconsulting.com/contact-us. We'd love to help you :)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

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.