Association, Roddick Foundation coming together to promote sport in Highland Lakes, fight obesity

HIGHLAND LAKES — On the surface, it’s a fairly simple game — a ball, two to four players, a net and rackets. The object is to hit the ball over the net so your opponent or opponents miss it or can’t return it.

It’s called tennis. And a local group and professional player’s foundation are getting together Aug. 30 at the future site of a major tennis center in Cottonwood Shores to celebrate all the positive things tennis does for individuals and communities.

The Tennis Lovers Party will be held at the CastleRock Development and future home of the Andy Roddick Foundation International Tennis Center, 4401 Cottonwood Drive from 6-9 p.m.

“This is really a social gathering for people in the community who play tennis or are interested in playing tennis,” said Marble Falls Community Tennis Association President Mark Moran. “It’s open to anybody. If you have any desire to learn or play tennis, this is a good way to come out and meet other people in the community who share your interest.”

The association was formed to promote the sport within the community, Moran said.

With the creation of the local organization, it also opens the door for more interest and involvement from the United States Tennis Association. The USTA is a national organization that promotes tennis from the professional level to the beginner level.

“We have the Andy Roddick Foundation, the USTA and the Marble Falls association, so that means there’s a local, national and international connection,” Moran said. “With the formation of the local association, if we get recognized by the USTA that means we could qualify for some of their grants, endowments or programs.”

One of the most exciting developments in area tennis came last year when the Andy Roddick Foundation announced it was going to help build a tennis center on property donated by CastleRock Texas. Roddick is a professional tennis player who calls Austin home.

The plan calls for 16 tournament-grade courts along with a separate practice court. It’s part of the foundation’s plan to create an Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program, which will provide at-risk youth an opportunity to learn the sport.

In January, Dr. Lawrence Roddick said the plan is to start in Cottonwood Shores and take the program nationwide. He is the brother of Andy Roddick.

Dave Holder of the MFCTA said the youth program will also help address youth obesity.

But the Tennis Lovers Party isn’t just about the Roddick Foundation’s plans.

“We want to bring people together who enjoy the sport,” Moran said. “But one of the reasons we started the community association isn’t so some guys have a place play tennis and go to tournaments. It’s a way to get more people involved in the sport. For some adults who are interested in it, the association is a place to start.”

Though the elite level might seem daunting to a novice,  Moran said people shouldn’t be dissuaded from picking up a racket.

“When I start teaching kids, I don’t hand them the full-size racket, a ball and take them to a regulation court,” Moran said. “We start them out with a smaller racket, a smaller court and a foam ball that’s just a bit smaller than a softball.”

The foam ball is designed to help beginning players follow through on their swing, said Moran, who also is the Marble Falls Middle School tennis coach.

“From there we move them up to bigger rackets, then a low-compression tennis ball and eventually to full-sized rackets and regulation tennis balls,” he said. “And adults can start the same way if they want. With the association, we can help people get started whatever their age or experience.”

Moran said tennis has tremendous health benefits.

“Tennis is one of those sports that does everything,” he said. “It works your cardiovascular system. You use all your major muscles and it helps with your hand-eye coordination. And the abuse on your body is minimal if you’re doing it right.”

The cost of the party is $10 per family or $5 per individual for non-MFCTA members and free to members. The cost for non-members includes the party and membership valid through 2008. 

The MFCTA will provide bratwurst, buns and condiments while families should bring their own beverages and one dish (salad, desert or casserole). Guests should also bring their own lawn chair and card table (if they want to eat off a table).

john Arthur martinez will also sing. Martinez is a nationally-known recording artist, as well as a local tennis enthusiast.

For more information on the Tennis Lovers Party, contact Holder at (830) 598-1866 or daveholder@andyroddick.com. RSVPs are requested by Aug. 27.