Hi Tennis Fans,
I want to tell you some history about the sport of Tennis - The original forms of tennis developed in France during the late Middle Ages. The modern form of tennis originated in Birmingham, England, in the late 19th century as lawn tennis. The countries with the strongest tennis traditions are Spain, Australia, Austria, and United Kingdom. Other countries that are notable are the United States, France, Italy, Serbia and Switzerland.
The countries that produce the best tennis talent are: 1) Spain - Top player Rafael Nadal; 2) France - Top players like Yannick Noah, Gael Monfils, Amelie Mauresmo, and Jo Wilfried Tsonga, and Rene Lacoste; 3) Argentina - Top players like Juan Monaco, David Nalbandian, and Juan Martin del Potro; 4) USA - with top players like Serena Williams, Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Chris Evert, & Billie Jean King, Andy Roddick John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, The Brain Brothers, CoCo Gauff, Jessica Pogula, and Taylor Fritz; 5) Serbia - Top players like Novak Djokovic, Ana Iranovic and Jelena Jankovis; 6) Russia - Top players like Nadia Petrovat & Maria Sharapova; 7) Germany - with top players like Boris Becker, Tommy Haas, & Angelique Kerber; 8) Switzerland - their top players were Roger Federer plus Stan Wawrinka and Martina Hinyus.
Here are some interesting facts about tennis. The word 'tennis' is thought to come from the French phrase 'Tenez' which means 'hold' used to signal the server. Early tennis courts were always rectangular - some were shaped like hour glasses. The first Wimbledon tournament was held in 1877. Tennis balls were not always yellow, they were originally white and even black. Tennis balls are pressurized, that helps them bounce and maintain their shape. Wimbledon has a strict dress code. They are required to wear white. The longest tennis match in history lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes in 2010 by John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon. Tennis is an Olympic sport, and is also played by wheelchair users. Tennis was originally played with bare hands. The fastest serve recorded was 163.7 mph by Sam Groth. Tennis was initially played indoors in France.
What an interesting and wonderful sport full of history, that we have had the privilege to participate in. It is invigorating, exciting, breath taking at times, challenging and physically demanding. It requires a high level of fitness, including speed, agility and stamina. It promotes good character, sportsmanship, and discipline.
It certainly helped me to mature. I am blessed to still be involved in tennis at the age of 76. I started playing at the age of 13 with a college student named Kenny Huffman. We both shared the love for the sport. That is why our tournament is called the Kenny Huffman Tennis Classic in his memory after dying of cancer at the young age of 28. This will be the 52nd annual tournament which is usually played the last weekend in July. This year the date is July 25-27.
The KHTC is run by a committee of 8. We would love some more members. We hold our meetings on Zoom. You don't have to live in Pikeville, but in the surrounding counties to Pike County. Please let me, Sue Huffman Stanley @ 404-483-6051, Freddie Napier @ 606-213-6775, or Jim Vanover @ 606-794-4161 know if you are interested in being on the tennis committee. We need some young blood.
This year we may add a few new items to our tournament, which I can tell you in my next newsletter. We are holding a KHTC Tennis Committee meeting Sunday May 4. Several things will be discussed and voted on at that time. We are always looking at new ideas to improve our tournament. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I would like to include some local news from Shelby Valley High School
"The Shelby Valley tennis team is having a good season over all. The girls' team has a 7-6 record while the boys' team is 8-4. Defending Region Doubles Champions Jaxson Napier and David Johnson are undefeated on the season and are hoping to win doubles again this year. The bright spots on the girl's team include singles player Keira Newsom who is currently ranked 3rd in the region as well as doubles team Taylor Akers and Grace Hall who are ranked 4th. If all these team members can advance to state, this will be the most successful season in Shelby Valley history. Good luck to the team and coaches Freddie Napier and Luke Johnson."
I want to say something about our sponsors before I close. The KHTC has wonderful sponsors like Lowes, Walmart, Pepsi, Hermit Krew, Elkhorn Dental, Elkhorn Drug, Redd-Brown & Williams Real Estate, UPIKE, Velocity Market, Williamson Health & Wellness, First National Bank of Williamson, Pikeville Rotary Club, Quality Foods, Dominos, C&R Office Supply, Community Trust Bank, Edward Jones Financial Service, WPRG Channel 5, Bailey Funeral Home, Baird & Baird PSC, Craig Damron Furniture Store, Texas Road House, Hall Funeral Home, El Azul Grande, Long John Silvers, Captain D's, El Ponchos, KY Fried Chicken, Faith Signs & Graphics. We are grateful for all our sponsors.
I will close with an inspirational tennis quote by Andre Agassi… "Tennis uses the language of life: advantage, service, fault, break, love - the basic elements of tennis are those of everyday existence because each match is a life in miniature."
Sue Huffman Stanley 
Founder of Kenny Huffman Tennis Classic
KHTC Secretary
KHTC Board Member
Author of “A Tennis Love Story”
