2025 Eastern Tennis Conference

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM: PTR Session - Netting Big Returns

Join PTR-certified instructor Mauricio Doria Medina for an in-depth session on one of tennis’ most critical shots: the return of serve. Through a variety of drills, Medina will guide participants on how to strengthen their positioning, footwork, grip, and timing—while also exploring the wide range of shots in a player’s arsenal, including flat, slice, topspin and lob returns. Learn effective techniques for reading the server and anticipating your opponent’s next move to gain a competitive advantage in the rally right from the jump.

2:00 - 2:45 PM: RSPA Session - From Practice to Performance

What makes a good team great? In this interactive on-court workshop, participants will discover how to foster a strong team culture through purposeful practice routines and effective communication strategies. Drawing on the expertise of Somadi Druker and Bob Bynum (college tennis), Jackie Clark (high school tennis), and Martin Miedzowicz (USTA and inter-club teams), this session emphasizes the power of collaboration, accountability and mutual support in building cohesive teams. Attendees will learn practical methods to create positive practice environments that translate directly into stronger team dynamics during competition. Additionally, Khrystsina Tryboi will provide actionable tools for integrating hydration and recovery routines into daily practice, ensuring players’ health and peak performance at every level.

3:00 - 3:45 PM: John Isner's Favorite Drills

Take your coaching from good to great to major in this interactive session with former top American tennis player John Isner. A 2018 Wimbledon semifinalist and former world No. 8, Isner will share his favorite on-court drills and offer invaluable coaching insights from over 16 years competing on the pro circuit. Learn how to integrate these top-level techniques into your everyday training to give your players a competitive edge.

4:00 - 5:00 PM: Networking and Break

Mingle with other coaches and enjoy light snacks in the Overlook inside the Saw Mill Club.

5:00 - 6:00 PM: RSPA & PTR Member Meetings (Held at the MTK Hotel)

5:00 - 6:00 PM: USTA Eastern Annual Meeting (Held at the MTK Hotel)

Hear from USTA National and USTA Eastern leaders on the state of tennis in 2024 and where we're headed in 2025. All are welcome to attend this open meeting.

6:30 - 10:30 PM: Annual Awards Dinner

Join us for a ceremonial dinner as USTA Eastern honors those who have made remarkable contributions toward growing and promoting tennis at the grassroots level. Recipients being recognized this year include former Army head coach Jim Poling, longtime tennis volunteer (and former USTA Eastern staffer) Sandy Hoffman and the Rockland Community Tennis Association, among many others. *Note: This is a ticketed event and costs $75 to attend. Dress is cocktail attire. If you would just like to purchase a ticket to the awards dinner, you may do so at this link.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast

8:00 AM - 8:45 AM: Wake Up and Warm Up with Alexis Antista

Always remember: Great warmups lead to even greater wins. In this interactive on-court session, strength and conditioning expert Alexis Antista will walk participants through mobility exercises and dynamic movements to get the blood pumping and the body in prime condition for a fun day of tennis.

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM: Product Exhibitions (Sponsors)

Test out innovative products that can improve your on-court performance.

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM: Root and Rally Adult Red Ball Play

Put the pickleball paddle down and take red ball tennis for a swing! Try out this growing sport, which can be played just about anywhere—without all the noise. (Okay, maybe you’ll laugh a lot.) Face off against other players in both singles and doubles in a fun team challenge format and learn how you can bring the game to your local community.

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM: Serve a Purpose - Fundraising Strategies for Community Tennis Programs

This session will provide valuable knowledge on building and sustaining Community Tennis Association programming, offering practical advice and real-world examples from seasoned professionals. Get insights from non-profit leaders across the Eastern Section who are at the forefront of grassroots tennis programs. Learn how they successfully manage local fundraising efforts and create collaborative pathways to achieve development goals. Panelists will also offer candid reflections—roses, thorns and everything in between—about launching impactful tennis opportunities in their communities.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: USTA Leagues Unlimited - Your Questions, Our Answers

USTA Eastern Director of Adult Competition Susan Friedlaender and several adult league coordinators address all your burning questions about USTA Leagues. Does it count more towards my rating if I play 1st Doubles instead of 3rd Doubles? Can I appeal my rating after each league match or only once a year? Get answers to these queries and more at this informative panel session.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: Game, Set, Impact: Making a Difference Through Coaching

Craig Morris, a native of Australia, has built a career around promoting, developing, and improving the sport of tennis. In this session, he will speak on how coaches mentor, motivate and create an environment that empowers students to excel. He will share how coaching strengthens communities and how coaches at all levels play a fundamental role in growing the sport of tennis. 

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: Product Exhibitions (Sponsors)

Test out innovative products that can improve your on-court performance.

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM: RISE with Tennis

This workshop will focus on the topics of community building and civic engagement and will allow participants to think about their leadership skills both within and outside the organization as they engage with the wider communities of which they are a part. Staffers from RISE—a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations—will lead this collaborative, engaging session.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: No Trouble Doubles with John Isner

John Isner captured eight doubles titles during his career, including the coveted “Sunshine Double”, when he collected back-to-back championship trophies at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters events in March and April 2022 (with two separate partners, no less). In this interactive, on-court session, Isner will share his best tips and strategies for taking your doubles game to the next level. Don’t worry—you don’t have to be 6’10” to put these tactics into play!

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: In Conversation with John Isner

Former world No. 8 player and 2018 Wimbledon semifinalist John Isner reflects on his life in the sport and major career highlights: Leading the Georgia Bulldogs to a National Championship, winning the longest tennis match of all time 70-68 in the fifth set of a first round match at Wimbledon in 2010, lifting the Miami Masters championship hardware in 2018, among many other moments. This discussion will be moderated by former Eastern junior, 2014 Wimbledon junior boys champion and former world No. 125 Noah Rubin. The pair will contest a short exhibition at the conclusion of their conversation.

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM: Boxed lunches to go

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Regional Council Meetings