Beach Tennis USA to Host International Open Tournament At 2010 Sony Ericsson Open, March 27-28

Beach Tennis USA^®, the organization responsible for launching the sport of beach tennis in North America, in partnership with Vision Italia, the leading European beach tennis paddle supplier, will host a two-day international open beach tennis tournament, March 27-28, at the site of the Sony Ericsson Open, in Key Biscayne, FL. The tournament, which features a total prize purse of $3,000, marks the fifth straight year BTUSA has held an event at the Sony Ericsson Open, and their first joint venture with Vision Italia. Competitors in all divisions can register to play at www.BeachTennisUSA.net. Early registration is encouraged, as player space is limited and available on a first come first serve basis.

Pro Doubles division pool play will take place on Saturday, March 27, 9:00 a.m., at Crandon Park South Beach, directly in front of the cabanas. Registration fees are $65 per person. BTUSA members can register at the reduced fee of $50 per person. Mixed Pro Doubles division players can check in at 3:00 p.m. Registration fees for Mixed Pro Doubles division are $40 per team (BTUSA members pay $30 per team).

On Sunday, March 28, players advancing to the quarterfinals of the Pro Doubles divisions will begin match play at 9:00 a.m., on the site of the Sony Ericsson Open. The Women’s Pro Doubles final will take place at 2:00 p.m. and the Men’s final at 5:00 p.m.

“We’re very excited to bring an all-paddle beach tennis event to the Sony Ericsson Open this year,” said Marc Altheim, Founder and Commissioner at Beach Tennis USA, referring to the organization’s decision to convert from standard tennis racquets to beach tennis paddles as the official tournament equipment for the 2010 season. “We’re hopeful this tournament with Vision Italia will be the first of many joint ventures that will help spread the word about competitive and recreational beach tennis throughout the U.S.,” added Altheim.

Additionally, first-time players can register online to compete in the Amateur Doubles division, which will be played on Sunday, March 28, at 9:00 a.m., at Crandon Park South Beach. Registration fees for the Amateur division are $40 per team ($30 per team for BTUSA members).

On Monday, March 29, BTUSA will hold a paddle instructor certification class, hosted by two-time BTUSA National Champions, and reigning European Champions, Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi. Upon completion of the full-day course, graduates will earn a BTUSA teaching certificate, and be eligible to work as an instructor at any of BTUSA’s “Places 2 Play”. The cost of the certification course is $150 per person. Participants in the course will also receive USPTR beach tennis instructor certification. For more information, contact Jim Lorenzo at jlorenzo@beachtennisusa.net.

About Beach Tennis USA

Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Now in its sixth season, Beach Tennis USA has established itself as the leading pioneer of American beach tennis. The company continues to grow by adding new certified “Places 2 Play” in various U.S. cities and is the one of the leading suppliers of beach tennis paddles, nets and apparel. To learn more about this fast-growing sport, or to join the movement, visit www.beachtennisusa.net.

About The Sony Ericsson Open

The 2010 Sony Ericsson Open will be played March 22-April 4 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The combined event, founded by Butch Buchholz in 1985, is owned and operated by IMG. The Sony Ericsson Open is one of nine ATP Masters Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the Sony Ericsson WTA TOUR calendar, and features the top men's and women's tennis players in the world. In 2009 British standout Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic for his first Sony Ericsson Open title, while rising Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka knocked off Serena Williams to capture her first title in Miami. For ticket information, call (305) 442-3367 or visit the website at www.sonyericssonopen.com.

Beach Tennis USA Adopts Paddle As Official Tournament Equipment

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Beach Tennis USA® (BTUSA), the organization responsible for launching the pro sport of beach tennis in North America, today announced that it has adopted the use of the paddle, currently used in international competition, as the official equipment for regulation tournament play. BTUSA, who formerly promoted the use of a standard, regulation tennis racquet for use at its events, stated that the move to paddles was primarily to facilitate the unification of the many international beach tennis associations throughout Europe, South America, and Asia.

“By converting to the paddle, Beach Tennis USA will be able to work more closely with our international partners to grow the sport, both on the pro and recreational level,” said Marc Altheim, BTUSA’s Founder and Commissioner. Altheim added he believes the use of the paddle would help introduce the sport to more “non-tennis” players, allowing for beach tennis to become a more mainstream common activity for casual beachgoers.

To further its efforts in unifying the sport on a global level, BTUSA will also adopt the international court dimensions of 8 X 8 meters, and a net height of 170cm (5’ 6 ¾”).

Beach Tennis USA recently completed its fifth National Tour at the 2009 National Beach Tennis Championship, in Long Beach, NY, and plans to announce dates for its 2010 season in February. To learn more, visit www.beachtennisusa.net.

About Beach Tennis USA
Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Now entering its sixth season, Beach Tennis USA has garnered increased attention while hosting events throughout Florida, Southern California, South Carolina, and New York. Beach Tennis USA has also gained recognition in the tennis world, attracting many former top-rated tennis players. The company continues to grow through the additions of its “BTUSA Places 2 Play” program, which helps local municipalities, hotels, beach clubs, and other interested parties to establish permanent beach tennis courts. To learn more about this fast-growing sport, or to learn how to join the movement, please visit www.beachtennisusa.net.

Kaci Battaglia Performs at Beach Tennis USA National Championship

Whitesell and Henderson Reclaim Title at Beach Tennis USA 2009 National Championship

Lee Whitwell and Joslynn Burkett Sweep Competition

The 2009 Beach Tennis USA National Championship produced two days of exciting, fast-paced action. For the first time ever, the National Championship in the United States featured a “Paddle Battle” in addition to the regular racquet competition. On Saturday, September 5, teams from all over the world competed using paddles, rather than conventional tennis racquets. The European athletes in attendance, who have played with paddles for years, were the teams to beat in this tournament. In the Men’s Pro division finals, it was two Italian teams that would square off: Gianluca Chirico and Massimo Mattei (Ravenna, IT) versus Maurizio DiCori and Emanuele Bianchedi (Ravenna, IT). Both teams are very familiar with the sport of beach tennis, having competed in over 100 tournaments in Italy, combined. Although DiCori and Bianchedi were new-comers to American sand, it was no detriment to their game, as they defeated Chirico and Mattei 8-5. Over on the Ladies Pro Division, the finals match consisted of two Southern California teams, Lee Whitwell and Joslynn Burkett (San Diego, CA) versus Lucy Streeter and Kristen Flagler (Hermosa Beach, CA). Flagler and Streeter knocked out Nadia Johnston (Long Beach, NY) and Nicole Melch (Cresskill, NJ) in the semi-finals to advance, however they were no match for the duo from San Diego as they easily captured the first Paddle Battle title by a score of 8-4.

Sunday, September 6 featured the tennis racquet version of the 2009 Beach Tennis USA National Championship. In the Men’s Pro Division, the two-time defending champions Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi (Ravenna, IT) advanced to the finals to face off against former national champions Chris Henderson and Phil Whitesell (Charleston, SC). Henderson and Whitesell, who won titles in 2005 and 2006, were eager to defeat the Italians and bring the trophy back to the U.S. In dramatic fashion, the pair of Americans stunned the crowd as they delivered powerful serves, which was enough to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Italian team, 8-6. In the Ladies Pro Division, it was the duo from San Diego, CA yet again who would advance to the finals. Lee Whitwell and Joslynn Burkett would face the hometown hero, Nadia Johnston, and her partner, Nicole Melch, who have been unstoppable in the tournaments in which they competed this season. The only thing fiercer than competition was the wind that made it very difficult to serve the ball. But the Ladies battle through and seemed to be on par since a tiebreaker set was necessary. The San Diego team proved to be too much for Melch and Johnston as they gained and maintained momentum in the tiebreaker set to win it, 9-8(5). Whitwell and Burkett cleaned up in Long Beach, NY, winning both the Paddle Battle finals and the 2009 Beach Tennis National Championship.

American Idol's Blake Lewis Performs at Beach Tennis USA National Championship

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AnnaLynne McCord of 90210 Turns 22, Celebrates With Beach Tennis USA Pro Players in Malibu

For the second straight summer, beach tennis is the game to play in Malibu. Tennis and racquet people love beach tennis because it challenges their skills in new ways. Active weekend warriors love it for the killer workout and full-on fun.

Spectators love beach tennis for...well with players like AnnaLynne McCord, you can figure it out.

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A Band We Love...MIGGS on Good Morning America

BullsEye Productions featured MIGGS in an episode of the Beach Tennis USA 2008 National Tour show. We love watching them climb the ladder of rock success. These guys are the real deal!

Beach Tennis USA To Debut in Chicago at EVP Volleyball Event

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Beach Tennis USA President Jim Lorenzo on Sports Talk with Frankie the Sports Guy

Beach Tennis USA President Jim Lorenzo was interviewed this week on Sports Talk with Frankie the Sports Guy, 1240AM WGGB.

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Beach Tennis USA on KUSI Morning News in San Diego

Beach Tennis USA was featured on KUSI Morning News in San Diego at the Evolution Home Theatre San Diego Smash. Weatherman Dave Scott, showed us that even a dude in a bow tie can learn to play beach tennis. Special thanks to the Maloney Sisters--Lisa and Laura, Donny "The Golden Bullet" Young, and Marty Salokas for the early wake-up call.

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Beach Tennis USA Seeks Play-By-Play Talent

Are you an aspiring sports announcer? Maybe you've done some pro or college sports radio announcing and want some good national TV broadcast credits to add to your reel? If so, you might be the next "voice of Beach Tennis USA".

Beach Tennis USA is auditioning play-by-play talent at the following events:

San Diego Smash- Sunday, June 21 (San Diego, CA)
SoCal Slam-Sunday, July 5 (Long Beach, CA)
Charleston Open- Sunday, August 23 (Isle of Palm, SC)

The top pick will be flown to Long Beach, NY on Labor Day weekend to call the action at the 2009 National Beach Tennis Championship. The event will be taped for broadcast on Tennis Channel and will air throughout the month of October.

CLICK HERE to submit your resume and schedule your audition.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the great sport of beach tennis.

General questions can be left here at this site (click on the "comments" link below)

Beach Tennis USA Launches Charity "Beach Tennis Believes"

Artist-Spokesperson Keenan "SPECIAL" Bristol talks about Beach Tennis USA's new charity, Beach Tennis Believes.

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Beach Tennis USA--Face of the Day, Crystal Cooper

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Salokas and Young Win Beach Tennis USA Tri-State Open

Players wrestled with 30mph wind gusts during Saturday’s preliminary matches of the Beach Tennis USA Tri-State Open, in Long Beach, NY and when the skies cleared on Sunday, only the best players remained. In the Men’s Pro division, Marty Salokas and Donny Young (Hermosa Beach, CA) defeated Whitney Kraft and Devon Wakeford 8-5, to win their second event of the BTUSA 2009 National Tour. Kraft and Wakeford managed to hang tough for the first four games, but Salokas and Young soon gained momentum of the match and never looked back.

Hometown favorite and three-time national beach tennis champion, Nadia Johnston and her partner Nicole Melch (Long Beach, NY), won the Women’s Pro division finals, defeating Lucy Streeter and Jessica Baker (Hermosa Beach, CA) 8-6. Johnston has her eyes fixed on recapturing the national title, which she lost to the Maloney Sisters—Lisa and Laura (San Diego, CA) last year in Long Beach.

Beach Tennis Believes, the official charity of Beach Tennis USA, raised over $300 for the Michelle O’Neil Foundation during the weekend. Beach Tennis Believes partners with local charitable causes in the cities that host the Beach Tennis USA National Tour events.

Pro beach tennis action will return to Long Beach on Labor Day weekend with the 2009 BTUSA National Beach Tennis Championship. Recreational league play will begin in June in Long Beach, at the cities permanent beach tennis courts, located on the beach at Grand Boulevard.

Beach Tennis USA--Rhino Revenge in Ft. Lauderdale!

Edison & Johnson (Team Rhino) Defeat Salokas & Young 8-3

Nadia Johnston & Nicole Melch take Women's Pro Match, 8-2

Over thirty Pro and Amateur division teams turned out to compete at Beach Tennis USA’s Ft. Lauderdale Open this weekend. Local players Kevin Marshburn and Greg McPhillips, (Ft. Lauderdale), won the Amateur division and Laura Cundy And Marissa Rock (Ft. Lauderdale) advanced to the finals of the Women’s Pro division, only to be taken down quickly by three-time national champ Nadia Johnston and her partner Nicole Melch (both from Long Beach, NY), 8-2.

The fierce battle for supremacy in the Men’s Pro division continued as Mike Edison and Brett Johnson of Team Rhino (Clearwater, FL) defeated Marty Salokas and Donny Young (Hermosa Beach, CA), 8-3. The same teams faced each other in March at the BTUSA Tampa Bay Open, where Salokas and Young triumphed.

The BTUSA National Tour will move on to Long Beach, NY on May 22-23, for the Tri-State Open. Players can register for Juniors, Amateur, and Pro divisions by clicking here.

HEAD Penn Racquet Sports Renews Partnership With Beach Tennis USA

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HEAD Penn Racquet Sports and Beach Tennis USA (BTUSA) announced that they have renewed their partnership for another year. For the fourth consecutive season HEAD will serve as the official racquet and Penn will be the official ball for all the events comprising BTUSA’s 2009 National Tour, including the season-ending National Championship in Long Beach, NY. HEAD Penn equipment will be used exclusively in all matches and at all events.

Beach tennis, which is essentially doubles tennis played on sand, uses HEAD racquets and Pro Penn T.I.P. 2 low-compression tennis balls. Played both as a recreational and competitive sport, beach tennis is fun for players of all ages.

“HEAD Penn is proud to continue as the official sponsor of Beach Tennis USA – bringing tennis to a new audience in a unique and fun way. We appreciate the efforts of Beach Tennis USA to grow the game and appeal to various player types,” said Amy Wishingrad, National Promotions Manager.

This year’s BTUSA National Tour began with a weeklong tournament/showcase at the site of the Sony Ericsson Open, in Key Biscayne, FL. The 10-city, pro-am tour will conclude at the 2009 National Beach Tennis Championship, in Long Beach, NY on Labor Day weekend, September 5-6.

To learn more about Beach Tennis USA, CLICK HERE.

Beach Tennis USA Returns to Ft. Lauderdale, May 9-10

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Beach Tennis USA®, the organization responsible for launching the sport of beach tennis in North America, will hold its Ft. Lauderdale Open May 9-10 on the beach, just north of the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel, in Ft. Lauderdale. Ft. Lauderdale has become a hotbed for beach tennis talent, producing some the pro tour’s best players, including Ric Simeon, Nic Paalzow, and Whitney Kraft. However, players of any skill level can register to play at the event by visiting www.beachtennisusa.net.

On Saturday, there will be both Amateur and Junior’s division tournaments beginning at 10:00 a.m. and Men’s Pro division pool-play beginning at 2:00 p.m. The action heats up on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. with the start of the Mix Doubles Paddle Tournament. The Men’s and Women’s Pro division finals will take place at 4:00 p.m. Players from all over the country will compete for the $1,000 first-place prize, plus a guaranteed spot in the 2009 Beach Tennis USA National Championship in Long Beach, New York on September 5-6.

Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, is a true hybrid sport that combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Played on a regulation beach volleyball court, two players on each team use standard tennis racquets to hit a depressurized tennis ball back and forth over the net without letting it hit the sand.

Since its inaugural season in 2005, Beach Tennis USA has experienced tremendous growth in player participation and crowd attendance, due largely to the company’s creation of regional licensing agreements and local leagues. To date, Beach Tennis USA has signed domestic licensee agreements in Charleston, SC, Tampa, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and the Metro New York region as well as similar international deals in Japan, South Africa, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Bermuda.

“Beach Tennis Believes”, the official charity of BTUSA, will be accepting donations throughout the weekend on behalf of Jack & Jill Children’s Center, a non-profit organization that provides family oriented early childhood education and support to strengthen low-income working families, ninety percent headed by single mothers, in Broward County. Beach Tennis Believes helps raise funds and awareness for community centers and youth programs.

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Beach Tennis USA and EVP Tour Team Up in 2010

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Beach Tennis USA®, the organization responsible for launching the sport of beach tennis in North America, and the EVP® Tour, the largest pro-am beach volleyball attraction in America, today announced a joint venture that will bring both sports together for a 10-city national tour in 2010.

“Combining beach volleyball and beach tennis together under one tour banner just makes sense on so many levels,” said Ross Balling, Founder and President of EVP Tour. Balling, who launched EVP in 1994, said he feels that through obvious economies of scale both groups, who host their events on sand volleyball courts using similar net systems, stand to gain as they plan their 2010 seasons. “Together, we can package a tour that allows our corporate partners to reach a larger, more diverse mix of their core audience. I think this tour will create a kind of beach lifestyle activation platform that has not been done before,” Balling added.

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