Author Archives: ECTAeditor

Act Now: Special City Meeting to Determine Tennis Courts to be Converted to Pickleball Only

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If you live in Evanston and identify first and foremost as a tennis player, please register to attend the Evanston Parks & Rec meeting that is designated for tennis players only next Wednesday, September 18, at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center (Parasol Room) to make your voice heard regarding which courts will be converted to pickleball only!

The four locations under consideration are Ackerman Park (site of the ECTA’s annual Fourth of July Tournament for the past several decades), Burnham Shores, Cartwright Park, and Mason Park.

If you did not receive Parks & Rec Director Audrey Thompson’s email about the upcoming meeting, you can find it below.

PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND THE TENNIS PLAYERS-ONLY MEETING VIA THIS SURVEY LINK if you want to have a say in which courts will be converted.

Note that there will be an additional meeting on Monday, September 23, (same time and location) for both tennis players and pickleball players, together. A third meeting is being held for pickleball players only.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
In person makes a greater impact than email!

Note from Audrey Thompson:

The Parks and Recreation Department has worked for quite some time to ensure dedicated pickleball courts in Evanston are not only a priority, but a reality. Though we have been met with some challenges, we are devoted to the pickleball cause and want you to be assured that those who love the game of pickleball have not been forgotten. Currently, the Department has completed a series of four neighborhood meetings in four locations that are being considered for dedicated pickleball play. In light of these discussions, we now invite you to attend one of the following focus groups that will take place next week. There are also two other options that we are exploring and these options will be discussed in the focus groups next week.

We ask that you choose which sport you will represent and only attend one of the following meetings. In addition, please complete this survey so we can obtain some data prior to the focus groups. Please send this email and the link to the survey to anyone who would like to weigh in on dedicated pickleball courts in Evanston. Please attend one of the following focus groups:

  • Monday, September 16th at 6pm at the Civic Center in the Parasol Room – Pickleball enthusiasts ONLY
  • Wednesday, September 18th at 6pm at the Civic Center in the Parasol Room – Tennis enthusiasts ONLY

In addition, on Monday, September 23rd at 6pm at the Civic Center in the Parasol Room, we will conduct a joint meeting with both groups. At the above meetings, I will have each group provide the names of five to eight individuals who will represent each sport. This group will work together with our Department to provide information to be presented to the Parks and Recreation Board on Thursday, October 17th, with a final recommendation to be made at the City Council meeting on Monday, October 28th. I look forward to hearing from you in person or through the survey above. Even if you are planning to attend one of the focus groups next week, I ask that you still complete the survey above. I am looking forward to a lively discussion but even more excited about providing this long overdue amenity to our community. Thanks to all of you who have contacted me personally to provide recommendations. Your input has been invaluable.

SAVE THE DATE: 2024 Fall Tournament

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orange ECTA logoAs the summer tennis season winds to a close, it’s almost time for our annual ECTA Fall Tournament! Save the date for Saturday, September 21, at James Park in south Evanston. Categories of play will include men’s and women’s singles and doubles as well as mixed doubles. Registration details coming soon!

ACTION NEEDED: Evanston Parks & Rec to discuss conversion of tennis courts to pickleball only

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***IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR EVANSTON-BASED TENNIS PLAYERS***

Please see the note below from Parks & Rec about A MEETING TOMORROW/THURSDAY NIGHT, July 18, at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center to discuss the construction of pickleball courts at James Park and the striping of even more Evanston tennis courts for pickleball or even making courts such as those at Ackerman dedicated to pickleball only! Please plan on attending this meeting and/or emailing your thoughts/concerns to Audrey Thompson at athompson@cityofevanston.org. (If you did not receive the meeting packet from Audrey and wish to receive it, email debbiecassell@yahoo.com.)
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FROM EVANSTON PARKS & REC:
As many of you are aware, we are at an impasse regarding the planning of dedicated pickleball courts in Evanston. Our original plan consisted of dedicated courts at James Park but the price tag has soared to an unbelievable amount due to many factors. I have received several emails, phone calls and even text messages about how we should move forward. I’d like to make sure that you, who have contacted me in the past regarding this subject, know our thoughts and are involved in this process. There is a Parks and Rec Board meeting on Thursday, July 18th at 6pm at the Civic Center. I am attaching the meeting packet to this email so you are informed. Please pass this information along to anyone you feel might be interested. As always, you can contact me if you can’t attend the meeting. I want to hear your thoughts and your recommendations. In addition, I want to get us over the finish line and come to a decision as quickly as is appropriate. Finally, I want to deliver on a promise of dedicated pickleball courts …

2024 Fourth of July Tournament RESULTS

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Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Evanston Fourth of July Tournament and shout out to all the finalists! The results of this year’s championships are below. Stay tuned for information about our fall tournament, coming soon!

Men’s 40 Singles
Mast def Kerr: 6-7, 6-3, 10-5

Mixed Doubles
Galinska & Postel def Wadsworth & Wadsworth: 3-6, 7-6 (7), 10-8

Men’s 60 Singles
James def Zitnik: 7-5, 4-6, 10-6

Men’s 3.5 Singles
Espinosa def Ross: 6-1, 7-6 (2)

Men’s Open Singles
Gordon def Mast: 6-0, 6-3

Men’s 40 Doubles
Ginsberg & Kerr def Graft and Postel: 6-3, 4-6, 10-8

Century Doubles
Leff & McCabe def Woods & Zitnik: 6-3, 4-6, 10-6

Men’s Open Doubles
Ginsberg & Gordon def Espinosa & Vidanovic: 6-1, 6-1

tennis umpire in chair and player on court in background

Location Change: 2024 Fourth of July Tournament

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Wooden Bent Park signageDue to poor court conditions at Ackerman Park, we have made the difficult decision to relocate this year’s event to nearby Bent Park (2524 Cowper Avenue), further west on Central Street. The Bent Park courts were resurfaced last year and are in excellent condition; overhead trees also provide some shade and relief from the heat, unlike Ackerman.

The Bent Park tennis courts can be found at the corner of Central and Hastings, which is where the Evanston Fourth of July Parade begins, so there will be a lot of activity going on there (not unlike what you are already used to on this holiday)–this also means plenty of opportunity for new spectators!

Please let your fellow players, family, and friends know about this change of venue. We encourage everyone to bring lawn chairs, as there are no bleachers at Bent and limited permanent seating in the form of benches on the west side of the courts. Chairs will be provided for players on the courts as well as for umpires. 

Please note that there is no parking next to the courts (on Central, Cowper, or Hastings) leading up to and during the parade–not unlike the situation at Ackerman. Please park south of Central (for example, on Harrison, one block away) and pay attention to no-parking signs, as the city will tow.

We regret this change, but the courts at Ackerman are not safe to play on. We have inquired with the city about getting Ackerman resurfaced before the 2025 Fourth of July Tournament and will follow up with you all on that conversation as well as let you know if additional action is needed from our members to urge the city to budget for said resurfacing.

You can view this year’s tournament draws here. Good luck to our finalists! We hope the rest of you will come out to cheer them on July 4!

Thank you for your understanding.
–ECTA Board of Directors

2024 Fourth of July Tournament DRAW

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Men’s Open Singles

Round 1
A. Brush def Loewy: 6-1, 6-3

Round 2
B. Espinosa def Chen: 6-1, 6-3
C. Mast def Ford: 6-2, 6-2
D. Robinson def Graft: 7-6(4), 3-6, 1(8)
E. Gordon over Brush: wo

Round 3
F. Mast over Espinosa: wo
G. Gordon def Robinson: 6-0, 6-1

Championship
Gordon vs Mast

Men’s 40 Singles

Round 1
A. James def Chen: 3-6, 6-3, 1(5)
B. Ross def Graft: 1-6, 6-3, 1(7)
C. Boarini vs Connell (Connell wd ifo Boarini)

Round 2
D. Burks def James: 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
E. Mast def Ross: 4-6, 6-3, 1(7)
F. Kerr def Boarini: 6-1, 6-1
G. Postel def Brush: 6-4, 6-0

Round 3
H. Kerr def Burks: 6-3, 7-5
I. Mast def Postel: 6-2, 6-2

Championship
Kerr vs Mast

Men’s 60 Singles

Round 1
A. James def Allen: 6-2, 7-6(4)

Round 2
B. James def Kuntz: 7-5; 6-4
C. Zitnick def Smart: 6-1, 6-0

Championship
James vs Zitnick

Men’s 3.5 Singles

Round 1
A. Ross def Ford: 6-2, 6-0
B. Loewy def Smart: 6-2, 6-1

Round 2
C. Vidanovic def James: 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
D. Boarini def Allen: 6-0, 6-1
E. Espinosa def Loewy: 6-1, 6-4
F. Ross def Farmer: 6-2, 6-2

Round 3
G. Ross over Boarini: 4-3 ret inj
H. Espinosa def Vidanovic: 6-2, 7-6

Championship
Ross vs Espinosa

Men’s Open Doubles

Round 1
A. Ginsberg & Gordon def Brush & Brush: 6-3, 6-2
B. Espinosa & Vidanovic def Caughran & Dush-Hart: 6-3, 7-6

Championship
Ginsberg & Gordon vs Espinosa & Vidanovic

Men’s 40 Doubles

Round 1
A. Ginsberg & Kerr def James & Loewy: 6-3, 6-1
B. Graft & Postel def Leff & McCabe: 6-2, 7-5

Championship
Ginsberg & Kerr vs Graft & Postel

Registration Opening Soon: 2024 Fourth of July Tournament

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red, white, and blue tennis ballRegistration is opening soon for the 2024 Fourth of July Tournament!

ENTRY DEADLINE: End of day Saturday, May 25

DRAW POSTING: May 31

EARLY ROUNDS OF SELF-ARRANGED PLAY: June 1-July 2

FINALS: July 4 in Evanston

ENTER UP TO THREE EVENTS FOR ONE PRICE! (No more than two doubles or two singles categories per person.)

CATEGORIES OF PLAY:  Century Doubles (partners’ ages must add up to 100 or higher), Men’s Open Singles, Men’s 3.5 (and Under) Singles, Men’s 40 (and Over) Singles, Men’s 60 (and Over) Singles, Men’s Open Doubles, Men’s 40 (and Over) Doubles, Women’s Open Singles, Women’s 3.5 (and Under) Singles, Women’s Open Doubles, Mixed Doubles

NOTES: Please include tournament experience/seeding information no matter what your level!For doubles, you and your partner must register and pay separately in order to appear be entered in the tournament!

COST TO ENTER: $30 per player, plus annual/rolling ECTA membership fee of $25. (Not sure of your membership status? Email ECTA Treasurer Chuck Friedl at charlesfriedl@aol.com.)

NOTE: Must be age 16 or older by June 1, 2024, to enter.

Tournament giveaways for all entrants! Trophies for all finalists!

2024 Fourth of July Tournament RULES AND REGULATIONS

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TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN (for all pre-July 4 communications): Richard Bell, rsbell@ameritech.net

1. ELIGIBILITY
This is an open tournament. You need not live in Evanston to enter. However, all participants must be members of ECTA. Joining ECTA is automatic upon submitting a paid entry that includes applicable dues. You must be 16 or older by June 1, 2024, in order to participate. Players participating in 40 (and Over) or 60 (and Over) events must be those ages (or higher) by June 1, 2024.

Further information about the association and the tournament can be found at www.evanstontennis.org. Players may enter up to three events, including two doubles events, for one entry fee. A full list of the events is on the entry form. A few rules related to those events are highlighted here.

Community Tennis Events: The century doubles, 40 (and over) and 60 (and over) singles and doubles, mixed doubles, women’s doubles and 3.5 (and under) brackets are designated as Community Tennis Events. In order to promote a more enjoyable and competitive tournament experience for each entrant, pros will not be allowed entry into community tennis events.

Community tennis events are intended to provide players of moderate ability the opportunity to compete against their peers rather than in the open events. Generally, players with NTRP ratings higher than 3.5 or similar abilities are ineligible. The definition of a 3.5 player can be found on the USTA web site at www.usta.com/leagues. Some brackets are age-sensitive. Your age in this tournament is determined as your age as of June 1, 2024.

2. E-MAIL
In order to receive tournament updates, please register your email address on the bottom right of the ECTA homepage at www.evanstontennis.org where it says “Keep informed and up to date by entering your email address here.” E-mail will be the primary form of communication with you on all tournament matters.

3. ONLINE REGISTRATION
All registrations will be made online. (Contact the Tournament Chairman if this is a problem). You can register directly at www.evanstontennis.org. Each entrant must submit a completed official Entry Form. Doubles partners must each submit a completed form with entry fee.

4. ENTRY FEES
Tournament Entry Fee is $30 for each player, which covers up to three events (no more than two doubles events allowed per person), provided you are a member of the ECTA ($25 for 12 months). If you are not currently a member, please make full payment of $55.

5. PAYMENT
Payment may be made via PayPal upon submitting your online form or by check. Personal checks should be made payable to Evanston Community Tennis Association and sent to:

ECTA Treasurer
1313 Cleveland Street
Evanston, IL 60202

7. DRAW POSTING
Event draws will be posted online and sent out via email the Tournament Director reserves the right to reassign entries in all brackets in order to allow for the best tennis experience and reserves the right to cancel or combine events with insufficient entrants. (If cancellation leaves an entrant without any event in the tournament, that entrant’s fee will be refunded.)

All final communications and information will be posted on the ECTA website and sent out via email. Inquire with the Tournament Chairman if you have any questions.

8. EARLY ROUNDS OF PLAY
Early-round matches will be self-arranged and completed two days before Fourth of July finals. Entrants may be defaulted for failure to play by the deadline. To protect yourself against default, immediately advise the Tournament Chairman of any reason you will be unable to keep to the schedule.

10. MATCH FORMAT
Each match is decided by two out of three sets. If a match is even at one set apiece, the third set will be determined by USTA 10-point match tiebreaker (first team to 10, winning my two), sometimes referred to as a super tiebreaker.

Each singles player or doubles team must bring a can of new USTA-approved tennis balls to each match. The winner of the match keeps/gets the unopened can.

11. MATCH RULES
International Tennis Federation (IFT) rules of tennis govern all matches. USTA’s Friend at Court: Handbook of Rules and Regulations” also are applicable. The code for unofficiated matches governs all matches except those played with chair umpires.

12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute should be settled by the players in accordance with the tournament’s Match Rules (see above) or by directing an inquiry promptly to the Tournament Chairman. The Tournament Director shall have the final decision-making authority over any dispute that arise during tournament play.

13. DEFAULTS
Any player may be defaulted for failure to appear for a scheduled match; inability to complete a match in progress due to injury, illness, or personal emergency; a failure to maintain the tournament schedule, including scheduled semi-final or championship matches; and any other grounds specified under the tournament’s Match Rules (see above). The Tournament Director has discretion to default a single player/team or both players/team(s) whose match is not completed by the deadline. Any potential default must be ruled on by the Tournament Director before it is effective.

14. REPORTING RESULTS
The winner of each match is responsible for promptly reporting the result to the Tournament Chairman.

15. POSTING OF RESULTS
Final match results will be posted on the ECTA website.

16. CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
Most championship matches will be played at Ackerman Park (as indicated by “ACK” on draw sheets) on July 4. Participants must be available to play on July 4 unless the match is played at a self-arranged time with the consent of the Tournament Director. The Referee will schedule the specific times of all championship matches. The schedule/draws will be posted at www.evanstontennis.org and shared via email.

2024 Spring Doubles Round Robin RESULTS

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Thanks to everyone who participated in the ECTA’s 2024 Spring Doubles Round Robin, and congratulations to the winners!

Mixed Doubles:
First place: Dan and Anya Gill
2nd place: Talein Hairekian and Viraj Padhiar

Men’s Doubles:
First place: Emil Loewy and Meeraj Thaker
2nd place: Raymond Boyer and David Fenn

Women’s Singles (in place of Doubles):
First place: Jenna Kimball
2nd place: Maria Baker