Black Tennis Pros

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Introduction

The profile that you are about to read is not about one of the professional tour players or coaches, but about a fellow Los Angeles native that the writer wanted to bring to the attention of those who have an interest in Blacks in tennis. I am very glad to be able to share this profile with you. I like the way that it is developed and I believe that you will too.

The writer of this article is Jasmyne Cannick. At 30 Jasmyne is currently training under Le George Mauldin for her first tennis tournament. She is a critic and commentator based in Los Angeles who writes about the worlds of pop culture, race, class, sexuality, and politics as it relates to the African-American community. Her work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times and Ebony Magazine. A regular contributor to NPR's 'News and Notes' and UrbanThoughtCollective.com, she was chosen as one of Essence Magazine's 25 Women Shaping the World.


Profile

While all of the other young men in his neighborhood were playing football and basketball, Le George Mauldin’s parents had him at the tennis courts, honing the skills that would eventually make him a master tennis instructor.

A native of Los Angeles, Le George, 27, attended 42nd Street Elementary School, Audubon Middle School, and Dorsey High School, before eventually enrolling at Cal State University Dominguez Hills under a Criminal Justice major.

Reflecting back on his childhood, Le George admits that he wasn’t big enough for football or tall enough for basketball, so for him, tennis just made sense. He's been playing since the age of four.

“The game of tennis is similar to the game of life,” Le George explains. “It’s a one on one sport where there’s no one coaching you on the court and you have to figure it out on your own. When your match is over is when you can get advice on what you did right and what you did wrong, but for the most part, it requires incredible self-discipline and self-control.”

Le George is quick to credit his parents with teaching him the true meaning of life and hard work.

“My parents taught me that if you want something, it’s up to you to get out there and bust your butt to make it happen,” says Le George. “No one is going to hand anything to you. My parents are my role models.”

In addition to his parents, Le George says that he was fortunate enough to have strong Black male role models in the community to help him along the way including his tennis coaches Terry Chambers and Richard Williams (not the father of Venus and Serena Williams). He also credits the late great tennis champion Arthur Ashe, former World No. 1 ranked tennis pro Petros “Pete” Sampras, tennis pro Michael Chang, and the father of Venus and Serena Williams, Richard Williams.

A high performance master tennis instructor who trains with tennis super stars Venus and Serena Williams when they are in Los Angeles, Le George is currently an instructor at the Venus and Serena Tennis/Tutorial Academy at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center of L.A. where he is focused on helping children, Black children in particular, hone their tennis skills.


“The Williams’ are great people,” says Le George. “While I was training in Florida, they graciously hosted me and my coach. Plus, they also give me great advice about tennis and on life in general.”

“Tennis probably saved my life,” explains Le George. “Because I was on the court instead of in the streets, I escaped the life that so many young Black brothers fall victim to—gangs, jail, and teenage fatherhood.”

“I made it a personal goal for myself to teach as many children the game of tennis as possible in hopes of seeing them get a tennis scholarship to attend college and saving their parents money,” admits Le George. “I figure if they can get into college on a tennis scholarship, after about two years they might consider going pro!”

But Le George doesn’t just teach children, he also teaches adults how to play tennis.

“Seeing an adult—or a child hit their first tennis ball and it makes it over the net and stays in the court is a very rewarding feeling,” reflects Le George. “As a tennis instructor, nothing can compare to being there to witness your student—whether they’re children or adults—win their first match or tournament. That’s what I enjoy most about teaching tennis.”

On the issue of tennis being viewed as a “white sport” or part of the Black bourgeoisie Le George says, “Come out to the Arthur Ashe Tennis Courts on a Saturday morning. We have adults, young adults, and children—mostly Black—right here from South Los Angeles playing tennis. In addition, we have Blacks come from all over Southern California to play tennis at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center because this is where most Blacks who play tennis play in L.A. There’s a real sense of camaraderie and focus on helping anyone interested in learning how to play. There’s nothing white or bourgeoisie about the game of tennis. During South Africa’s apartheid, Arthur Ashe was denied a visa by the South African government keeping him out of the South African Open. He used the opportunity to call attention to South Africa’s racism against Blacks. The Williams’ sisters came straight out of Compton. In fact, most people aren’t aware that there is still a lot of racism in tennis against Blacks, just ask Venus and Serena. Black people need to realize that when we use terms like ‘acting white’ and ‘bourgeoisie’ we discourage each other from reaching our full potential. It’s no different than when kids tease each with ‘acting white’ for being good students and brining home A’s on their report cards. For me it comes down to knowing where your child is after school or for them to ‘act Black’ and join a gang and run the streets eventually ending up in jail or worse, dead. Tennis is an opportunity, much like we view basketball and football for our youth, both females and males, to excel in life. Why should white children be the only ones taking advantage of that?”

Currently Le George is working with several shinning stars at the Venus and Serena Tennis/Tutorial Academy housed at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center in Los Angeles. Among them are 11-year-old Melan Butler, who currently ranks in the top 50 girls in her age group with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern California Section. Other up and coming tennis stars include 12-year-olds Amirra Heath and Darian Epherson. He also says to look for good things from 8-year-old Regina Pitts who is currently ranked No. 87 in girls playing tennis under the age of 10 with the USTA in Southern California.

“Regina, recently won her first tournament. Her sister Maya Pitts is fast on Regina’s heels at the age of five. Maya can already hit the ball from the baseline! I credit the success of Richard Williams and his daughters Venus and Serena with inspiring a whole new generation of Black tennis players the way that Arthur Ashe inspired me.”

Le George also reminds adults that tennis is one those sports that give the body a total workout and so for adults looking to get in better shape, tennis is an excellent source of physical fitness.

Unfortunately, Le George says that because he coaches tennis, there’s less time for him to actually play. Le George, who during his childhood played in all of the local Southern California tournaments, was ranked as high as No. 2 with the USTA for boys ages 10 to 12, and was in the top twenty for young men 16 to 18 by the age of 15.

Le George offers the following tennis tips to players and those thinking about taking up tennis.

“Stay focused and enjoy yourself. Always play the game of tennis with a smile on your face, it helps! There’s nothing that you can’t do with practice.”
When Le George, who lives in Paramount, isn’t teaching tennis he dabbles in he world of real estate.

The Venus and Serena Tennis/Tutorial Academy, under the direction of Terry Chambers, is housed at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center of L.A. at Rancho Cienega Sports Complex located at 5001 Rodeo Boulevard in Los Angeles. Adult, children and youth (under 18) private lessons are $22 for 30 minutes or $44 for one hour. Group lessons are also available. The phone number is (323) 299-4631 and there are several master tennis instructors available for morning, afternoon, and evening lessons.

Le George Mauldin can be reached at www.tenniswithlegeorge.com, or by emailing info@tenniswithlegeorge.com, or catch him in action at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center of L.A. daily.

www.jasmynecannick.com www.myspace.com/jasmynecannick,

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1. 40 years, 40 champions: It is the 40th Anniversary of the Open Era.

2. Thirty-nine former US Open champions will be at Opening Night.

3. Watching some of the best tennis in the world!

4. Going Green: Help the USTA protect the environment.

5. A potential Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal battle for the crown.

6. Another potential Venus Williams-Serena Williams showdown.

7. More Instant Replay: Players now get three challenges instead of two per set.

8. Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras and eight-time U.S. championships winner Molla B. Mallory will be inducted into the Court of Champions.

9. More ways to snag tickets with the official ticket exchange on TicketsNow.

10. Record prize money

11. Flavored mojitos at the Mojito Restaurant and Bar

12. Relaxing next to the fountain in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium

13. The Fashion! What are all the players wearing this year?

14. Have a facial consultation and meet two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin at the Juvederm booth.

15. Grabbing a Heineken at the Red Star Café

16. Watching some of your favorite players up close while they hit on the practice courts.

17. Seeing some of your favorite celebrities in the stands.

18. Shopping at the Polo Ralph Lauren and Lacoste stores.

19. Wondering from match to match on the outer courts.

20. Buying the latest 2008 US Open gear.

21. Catch one of three autographed balls hit into the stands after each match on the show courts.

22. The great selections in the food court.

23. The ‘7’ train drops you off right in front of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

24. Live entertainment around the grounds.

25. Jumbo television screens outside the stadiums showing all the action inside.

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The 2008 US Open will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of tennis’ Open Era. The US Open’s Opening Night on August 25 will launch the celebration with an on-court ceremony highlighting the 40 US Open singles champions in the 40 years since 1968. Throughout the tournament, the US Open will feature additional celebrations and special tributes to past champions. To mark this historic anniversary, the USTA has also produced a commemorative coffee table book, collectible coins, a vintage clothing line, and a dedicated 40^th Anniversary website.

The US Open and the city of New York share a special relationship that dates back to 1915, when the West Side Tennis Club first hosted the men’s singles U.S. National Championships, a precursor to the modern-day US Open. Until 1968, the U.S. National Championships was strictly limited to amateurs but forty years ago, the tournament became “open” to both professionals and amateurs and the name changed from the U.S. Championships to the US Open.

The size and scope of the US Open continues to expand and develop each year. A total of $100,000 was offered by the USTA to the field of 96 men and 64 women who entered the men’s and women’s singles and doubles events at the 1968 US Open. In 1973, the US Open became the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money to men and women. Today, US Open prize money exceeds $20 million and features more than 600 men and women, including qualifying.

“The 2008 US Open will pay tribute to one of the most significant milestones in the history of tennis -- the birth of the Open Era,” said Jane Brown Grimes, President and Chairman of the Board, USTA. “By allowing both professionals and amateurs to compete together, the Open Era transformed the sport, creating a platform to elevate the sport’s popularity and grow the game on every level.”

“We will be launching a two-week celebration of this historic occasion with what is sure to be an unforgettable Opening Night,” said Arlen Kantarian, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Tennis, USTA. “The 40th anniversary gives us the opportunity to honor the tournament’s rich history and the game’s greatest champions -- past and present -- all of whom have played a substantial role in making the US Open one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.”

Special Celebrations and Programs

· An Opening Night ceremony honoring the Open Era’s 40 US Open champions.

· Vignettes highlighting the Open Era’s 40 US Open champions will be displayed on the video boards on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

· A micro-site on USOpen.org will serve as a retrospective of the US Open and Open Era champions featuring a historical overview of the event and exclusive photo and video highlights of the US Open’s most memorable moments.

· The Open Book: Celebrating 40 Years of America’s Grand Slam -- a hardcover, coffee table book published by Triumph Books -- will be sold in bookstores and major retail outlets.

· The US Open program and US Open draw sheets will include special 40^th Anniversary features and historic tributes.

· A vintage clothing line -- part of the US Open Collection -- captures the spirit of the 40th Anniversary.

· Limited edition silver commemorative coins minted by The Highland Mint and featuring the 40th Anniversary US Open logo will be sold on-site.

US Open Historical Highlights from the Open Era

· Arthur Ashe became the first African-American male to win a Grand Slam in 1968; in 1997, the USTA opened Arthur Ashe Stadium in his honor.

· Billie Jean King needed just 13 games to win the first-ever US Open stadium-court match in 1968; the National Tennis Center was renamed in her honor in 2006.

· Three individual players have completed the Grand Slam at the US Open during the Open Era -- Rod Laver in 1969, Margaret Court in 1970 and Steffi Graf in 1988.

· Jimmy Connors is the only player to win the US Open singles championship on three different surfaces -- on grass in 1974, on clay in 1976 and on hard court in 1978.

· The men’s and women’s champions at the 1973 US Open each received equal prize money for the first time in Grand Slam history.

· Night tennis was instituted at the US Open in 1975 -- the first Grand Slam to feature night tennis.

· The US Open moved from Forest Hills to its current home, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in 1978.

· Chris Evert captured her sixth US Open title in 1982, the most of any man or woman during the Open Era.

· The first Grand Slam prime-time women’s singles final was played in 2001 -- Venus Williams’ defeat of sister Serena was viewed by an estimated 22.7 million viewers.

· The Olympus US Open Series was introduced in 2004, creating a summer tennis season that culminates with the US Open and offers bonus prize money to its participants.

· Instant replay with a player challenge system made its Grand Slam debut at the 2006 US Open. 32% of the challenged calls are reversed.

· US Open attendance topped 700,000 for the first time (715,587), at the 2007 US Open. Total attendance at the US Open has increased by more than 150,000 since the opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

40 Champions in 40 Years

Below are the US Open champions in alphabetical order with their Open Era championship year(s):

Andre Agassi	1994, 1999
Arthur Ashe	1968
Tracy Austin	1979, 1981
Boris Becker	1989
Kim Clijsters	2005
Jimmy Connors	1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983
Lindsay Davenport	1998
Stefan Edberg	1991, 1992
Chris Evert	1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982
Roger Federer	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Steffi Graf	1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996
Justine Henin	2003, 2007
Lleyton Hewitt	2001
Martina Hingis	1997
Billie Jean King	1971, 1972, 1974
Svetlana Kuznetsova	2004
Rod Laver	1969
Ivan Lendl	1985, 1986, 1987
Hana Mandikova	1985
John McEnroe	1979, 1980, 1981, 1984
Ilie Nastase	1972
Martina Navratilova	1983, 1984, 1986, 1987
John Newcombe	1973
Manuel Orantes	1975
Patrick Rafter	1997, 1998
Andy Roddick	2003
Kenneth Rosewall	1970
Gabriela Sabatini	1990
Marat Safin	2000
Pete Sampras	1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario	1994
Monica Seles	1991, 1992
Maria Sharapova	2006
Stan Smith	1971
Margaret Smith Court	1969, 1970, 1973
Guillermo Vilas	1977
Mats Wilander	1988
Serena Williams	1999, 2002
Venus Williams	2000, 2001
Virginia Wade	1968

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I'm a few days late with this, but I had to express my joy in seeing the Williams sisters win gold again. Venus and Serena are so incredibly accomplished and it is a pleasure to continue to watch them grow and achieve.


While I definitely wanted to see at least one of the ladies take individual gold, seeing them on the podium during the award ceremony with the other doubles winners resolved my previous disappointment.

The utmost pleasure that I get from supporting and watching the Williams sisters comes not from their power, amassing of grand slam titles over the years or even Olympic gold, but from their connection as sisters. I have an older sister who is just my bestest and mostest (sisterly english) in this world. We don't have Olympic gold between us, but everything else in spirit and love is there. I understand and believe them when they say that winning the gold medal with one another is better than anything else. It is simply one more eternal bond they will share.

I've read a number of articles and heard a couple of commentators speak to the Williams sister's "failure" at the Olympics. We're all entitled to our individual perspectives of the outcome of the games. However, if this is "failure," I'll take a truck load.

Here are some of the beautiful photos from the awards ceremony:

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Hello everyone, I hope that all is well. I thought that I would be able to do some posting while traveling, but that has not been the case. I've been running around like Flo Jo, but it's all good.

Things should slow down on Wednesday and give me the opportunity to catch up on happenings in the world of Black Tennis Pro's.

Take Care!

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Venus, Mike and Serena ham it up.

Team spirit.

Getting ready for 10:30 a.m. match.

Former President George H.W. Bush comes out to support U.S.A. tennis.

Serena and Bob make a trip to the famous Beijing silk market.

Serena, the master negotiator.

A silk spinner.

© Bob's iPhone

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