2024 TENNIS FITNESS CONFERENCE
presented by the iTPA and the USTA
Dates: August 9th & 10th, 2024
Location: USTA National Campus, Lake Nona, FL
The 2024 Tennis Fitness Conference hosted jointly by the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA) and the United States Tennis Association Player Development (USTAPD) department will take place on August 9th & 10th, 2024, at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida.
Our conference this year promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for all individuals passionate about strength & conditioning, sport science, athletic training and fitness specific to training tennis athletes. We have curated a lineup of industry experts, thought leaders, and practitioners who will delve into cutting-edge methodologies, innovative strategies, and the latest research advancements in tennis fitness.
Whether you are a coach, fitness professional, sports scientist, tennis medicine and healthcare provider, this conference is designed to offer valuable insights, networking opportunities, and practical knowledge that can elevate your understanding and practice in this dynamic field.
Here are some highlights of what you can expect:
1. Engaging Keynote Addresses: Renowned experts will share their insights and experiences in tennis fitness, providing inspiration and valuable perspectives.
2. Interactive Workshops: Dive deep into practical sessions led by seasoned professionals, where you can refine your skills and learn new techniques applicable to your training programs.
3. Informative Panel Discussions: Join discussions on topics ranging from injury prevention and rehabilitation to advanced performance enhancements, featuring experts at the forefront of tennis fitness.
4. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow attendees & speakers to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and expand your professional network.
5. Exclusive Access to USTA National Campus: Experience firsthand the world-class facilities at the USTA National Campus.
Our conference this year promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for all individuals passionate about strength & conditioning, sport science, athletic training and fitness specific to training tennis athletes. We have curated a lineup of industry experts, thought leaders, and practitioners who will delve into cutting-edge methodologies, innovative strategies, and the latest research advancements in tennis fitness.
Whether you are a coach, fitness professional, sports scientist, tennis medicine and healthcare provider, this conference is designed to offer valuable insights, networking opportunities, and practical knowledge that can elevate your understanding and practice in this dynamic field.
Here are some highlights of what you can expect:
1. Engaging Keynote Addresses: Renowned experts will share their insights and experiences in tennis fitness, providing inspiration and valuable perspectives.
2. Interactive Workshops: Dive deep into practical sessions led by seasoned professionals, where you can refine your skills and learn new techniques applicable to your training programs.
3. Informative Panel Discussions: Join discussions on topics ranging from injury prevention and rehabilitation to advanced performance enhancements, featuring experts at the forefront of tennis fitness.
4. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow attendees & speakers to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and expand your professional network.
5. Exclusive Access to USTA National Campus: Experience firsthand the world-class facilities at the USTA National Campus.
REGISTRATION
|
World Tennis Fitness Conference (August 9th & 10th, 2024) |
Full Conference Registration
|
iTPA Non-Member:
$299 |
iTPA Member in Good Standing: $249
|
STUDENT Registration (must put University ID in comments): $150
|
Student Scholarships: We have 2 student scholarships available for highly qualified individuals looking to attend the conference. Please submit your interest with a resume to contact@itpa-tennis.org with the subject line: Tennis Fitness Conference Scholarship
Tennis Fitness Conference Agenda
Theme: Applying Science to Tennis Fitness
Benefits:
- Dinner on Friday and Lunch on Saturday
- Full Programming and Attendance to all sessions on Friday and Saturday
- Drinks and snacks throughout the event
- Full access to the Networking and Social event on Friday evening
- Access to many of the handouts/slides of presentations
- Ability to network with the finest minds in the tennis, performance and injury prevention industry
- Access to continuing education credits from:
USPTA, PTR, iTPA
Conference Chairs:
Mark Kovacs, PhD, FACSM, CTPS, MTPS, CSCS
(Executive Director, International Tennis Performance Association)
Satoshi Ochi, MA, CTPS, MTPS, RSCC*E
(Director, Strength & Conditioning Coach, USTA Player Development)
Mark Kovacs, PhD, FACSM, CTPS, MTPS, CSCS
(Executive Director, International Tennis Performance Association)
Satoshi Ochi, MA, CTPS, MTPS, RSCC*E
(Director, Strength & Conditioning Coach, USTA Player Development)
World Class Speakers Include:
Olympians, Current and Former ATP and WTA Professionals, Tennis Sport Science Experts, Physical Therapists, Strength Coaches and Tennis Coaches that cross over multiple areas of training, treating and monitoring tennis players from the 10 and under space to elite professionals and adult recreational players.
*Speakers and topics may change
*Speakers and topics may change
Conference Registration:
|
iTPA Non-Member
: $299 |
iTPA Member in Good Standing: $249
|
STUDENT Registration (must put University ID in comments): $150
|
Hotel Information:
RECOMMENDED CONFERENCE HOTEL: Aloft Orlando Lake Nona
Start Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024
End Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024
Last Day to Book: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Hotel offering special group rate:
Group Rate Hotel Link
Start Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024
End Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024
Last Day to Book: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Hotel offering special group rate:
- Aloft Orlando Lake Nona for S161 per night
Note the group rate is under USTA PD S&C Conference
Group Rate Hotel Link
SPEAKERS FOR THE 2024 TENNIS FITNESS CONFERENCE___________________________________________________
MARK KOVACS
Mark Kovacs, PhD, FACSM, CSCS, is a leading sport scientist, peak performance expert, researcher, coach, author and speaker. He is known as a world leader in athlete specific biomechanics, fitness, physiology and movement training. He was the youngest ever recipient of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award and the US Olympic Committee “Doc Counsilman” Science Award for his innovative use of sport science application to Olympic athletes. Served as Senior Director of Sport Science & Health for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), was the Director of the Gatorade Sport Science Institute and served the USTA in coaching education, sport science and strength & conditioning. He has served on the Medical Advisory Group for the US Open Tennis Tournament. He has worked across sports with athletes and teams in the NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, USWNT, ATP and WTA. He has worked with over two dozen Top 100 ATP and WTA professional tennis players and hundreds of other professional athletes in a multitude of sports. Dr. Kovacs is the executive director of the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA) and CEO of the Kovacs Institute. He was an All-American and NCAA doubles champion in tennis at Auburn University and competed professionally after University. Dr. Kovacs earned his doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama. Mark has been involved with two NFL Superbowls, the Brazilian National Football team for the 2014 World Cup, the US Fed Cup team and dozens of other major sporting events applying sport science principles to optimizing athletic performance.
SATOSHI OCHI
Satoshi Ochi is Director, Strength and Conditioning at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) where he oversees and manages the Strength and Conditioning staff and programs for the USTA National Training Centers. Satoshi has worked with top U.S. tennis players ranging from junior, collegiate, professional, and wheelchair players. He has more than 25 years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach including NCAA DI and USOPC. Satoshi received his M.A. in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Prior to receiving his master’s degree, Satoshi played Division I tennis for the Creighton University BlueJays and earned his B.A. in Exercise Science. Satoshi holds the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). He also holds the NSCA Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus (RSCC*E), the highest coaching designation that the NSCA awards. In addition to his role with the USTA, Satoshi also serves on the Advisory Board of the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA). Prior to joining the USTA, Satoshi was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Creighton University where he was also an instructor for the Exercises Science Department. He is based at USTA Home of American Tennis National Campus in Orlando, FL.
KAT WHARTENBY
Kat Whartenby has been the lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for IMG Academy Girls Tennis for past six years. During that time, she's worked with dozens of top WTA players and over 100 athletes who have gone on to Division I Universities. Whartenby also works with the nationally ranked IMG Academy Girls Basketball program. Whartenby came to the Academy from the University of Florida where she worked as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach with the University of Florida Women's soccer team. Prior to UF, Whartenby served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Denver and an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Yale University. Whartenby got her Masters Degree from the University of Florida in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology and graduated from Tusculum University where she was a four year letterwinner in Basketball.
CHRIS MAY
Chris May enters his 9th year as the Director of Sports Performance, and 15th year overall within the industry. He is responsible for the design and implementation for the overall physical development for all athletes within the program; including tennis, football, baseball, hockey, and golf athletes. Taking a scientific approach to each athlete's program, players are trained as “athletes'' first. The Saddlebrook program takes into consideration each player's unique physical qualities and characteristics, as well as the unique physical and mental characteristics of the sport Chris is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science and also started four years at safety for the football program. He played 1 year of professional football for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in the German Football League. Chris is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, Titleist Performance Institute certified; as well as being a USAW-1 Level 1 Coach. Notable tennis athletes that Chris has worked with include: John Isner, Denis Kudla, Peyton Stearns, Alison Riske, Danielle Collins, Gaby Dabrowski, Dominik Koepfer, Tim Smyczek
RESHARD LANGFORD
Reshard Langford, MBA, CSCS, is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at the United States Tennis Association. He is a distinguished strength coach with over a decade of experience in the field of strength and conditioning. He leverages his background as a former professional athlete to bring a unique perspective and high level of expertise to his training programs.
Currently specializing in tennis, Reshard combines his in-depth knowledge and practical experience to develop effective, tailored regimens that enhance athletic performance and overall physical fitness. His commitment to excellence and passion for sports make him a valuable asset to any the team and individuals looking to achieve their fitness goals.
Reshard's dedication to optimizing athletic performance through innovative and results-oriented training has made him a sought-after coach in the tennis community. His unwavering commitment to his clients' success drives his innovative approach to fitness training, helping athletes reach their peak potential.
LINDSEY AYALA
Lindsey Ayala DPT, PT, LAT, ATC, pursuit to work in women’s professional sports began at a young age when her passion for sports fused with her interest in the medical sciences. Growing up playing soccer, tennis, and cross-country. Lindsey enjoyed the comradery and competition that sports brought into her life. With persistent knee injuries and help from her mentors, she quickly realized the benefits of athletic training and physical therapy. She went on to pursue her degrees in both athletic training and physical therapy; working with Division I & II college athletes and high school athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During her physical therapy degree, she also worked at the Davis Cancer Center, helping those suffering with breast cancer, head and neck cancers, and lymphedema regain their quality of life. Lindsey completed her Manual Therapy Certification through the University of St. Augustine and continues to further her sports medicine education through courses in dry needling, manual therapy, pelvic health, and prevention & rehabilitation. Specializing in the female tennis athlete, Lindsey has been a part of the WTA Sport Sciences & Medicine team since 2014. As a full time staff member, Lindsey oversees WTA Performance Health policies, procedures, education, and development to provide innovative and state of the art services to the players of the WTA.
ALEXIS ANTISTA
Alexis Antista, BS, CSCS, CTPS grew up as a competitive tennis player in Atlanta and continued to play into college. Her freshman year at Palm Beach Atlantic University, she helped her team win the NCCAA National title. The following year, she transferred to the University of Utah and graduated in 2016 with a B.S. in Health & Nutrition. Alexis started her strength and conditioning career at the University of Utah (2016-2017) and Georgia Tech (2017-2018) before moving into the private sector at the Kovacs Institute. Working with tennis players is a specialty for Alexis considering her tennis background. However, she has worked with a diverse number of sports and athletes during her time as a coach including junior individual and team sports, college teams, professional and recreational sports. She is certified through the National Strength & Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Master Tennis Performance Specialist (MTPS) through the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA) and certified through USA Weightlifting. In addition to her current role with Kovacs Institute she works with United States Tennis Association (USTA) as a Sports Performance Specialist working with some of the country’s best tennis players.
MARTIN BLACKMAN
General Manager of USTA Player and Coach Development
DAVID RAMOS
Director of Coaching Education and Performance Analytics
MATT CLOER
Former University of Florida Association Head Coach and Now Performance Analytics At USTA Player and Coach Development
MARK KOVACS
Mark Kovacs, PhD, FACSM, CSCS, is a leading sport scientist, peak performance expert, researcher, coach, author and speaker. He is known as a world leader in athlete specific biomechanics, fitness, physiology and movement training. He was the youngest ever recipient of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award and the US Olympic Committee “Doc Counsilman” Science Award for his innovative use of sport science application to Olympic athletes. Served as Senior Director of Sport Science & Health for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), was the Director of the Gatorade Sport Science Institute and served the USTA in coaching education, sport science and strength & conditioning. He has served on the Medical Advisory Group for the US Open Tennis Tournament. He has worked across sports with athletes and teams in the NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, USWNT, ATP and WTA. He has worked with over two dozen Top 100 ATP and WTA professional tennis players and hundreds of other professional athletes in a multitude of sports. Dr. Kovacs is the executive director of the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA) and CEO of the Kovacs Institute. He was an All-American and NCAA doubles champion in tennis at Auburn University and competed professionally after University. Dr. Kovacs earned his doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama. Mark has been involved with two NFL Superbowls, the Brazilian National Football team for the 2014 World Cup, the US Fed Cup team and dozens of other major sporting events applying sport science principles to optimizing athletic performance.
SATOSHI OCHI
Satoshi Ochi is Director, Strength and Conditioning at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) where he oversees and manages the Strength and Conditioning staff and programs for the USTA National Training Centers. Satoshi has worked with top U.S. tennis players ranging from junior, collegiate, professional, and wheelchair players. He has more than 25 years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach including NCAA DI and USOPC. Satoshi received his M.A. in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Prior to receiving his master’s degree, Satoshi played Division I tennis for the Creighton University BlueJays and earned his B.A. in Exercise Science. Satoshi holds the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). He also holds the NSCA Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus (RSCC*E), the highest coaching designation that the NSCA awards. In addition to his role with the USTA, Satoshi also serves on the Advisory Board of the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA). Prior to joining the USTA, Satoshi was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Creighton University where he was also an instructor for the Exercises Science Department. He is based at USTA Home of American Tennis National Campus in Orlando, FL.
KAT WHARTENBY
Kat Whartenby has been the lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for IMG Academy Girls Tennis for past six years. During that time, she's worked with dozens of top WTA players and over 100 athletes who have gone on to Division I Universities. Whartenby also works with the nationally ranked IMG Academy Girls Basketball program. Whartenby came to the Academy from the University of Florida where she worked as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach with the University of Florida Women's soccer team. Prior to UF, Whartenby served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Denver and an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Yale University. Whartenby got her Masters Degree from the University of Florida in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology and graduated from Tusculum University where she was a four year letterwinner in Basketball.
CHRIS MAY
Chris May enters his 9th year as the Director of Sports Performance, and 15th year overall within the industry. He is responsible for the design and implementation for the overall physical development for all athletes within the program; including tennis, football, baseball, hockey, and golf athletes. Taking a scientific approach to each athlete's program, players are trained as “athletes'' first. The Saddlebrook program takes into consideration each player's unique physical qualities and characteristics, as well as the unique physical and mental characteristics of the sport Chris is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science and also started four years at safety for the football program. He played 1 year of professional football for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in the German Football League. Chris is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, Titleist Performance Institute certified; as well as being a USAW-1 Level 1 Coach. Notable tennis athletes that Chris has worked with include: John Isner, Denis Kudla, Peyton Stearns, Alison Riske, Danielle Collins, Gaby Dabrowski, Dominik Koepfer, Tim Smyczek
RESHARD LANGFORD
Reshard Langford, MBA, CSCS, is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at the United States Tennis Association. He is a distinguished strength coach with over a decade of experience in the field of strength and conditioning. He leverages his background as a former professional athlete to bring a unique perspective and high level of expertise to his training programs.
Currently specializing in tennis, Reshard combines his in-depth knowledge and practical experience to develop effective, tailored regimens that enhance athletic performance and overall physical fitness. His commitment to excellence and passion for sports make him a valuable asset to any the team and individuals looking to achieve their fitness goals.
Reshard's dedication to optimizing athletic performance through innovative and results-oriented training has made him a sought-after coach in the tennis community. His unwavering commitment to his clients' success drives his innovative approach to fitness training, helping athletes reach their peak potential.
LINDSEY AYALA
Lindsey Ayala DPT, PT, LAT, ATC, pursuit to work in women’s professional sports began at a young age when her passion for sports fused with her interest in the medical sciences. Growing up playing soccer, tennis, and cross-country. Lindsey enjoyed the comradery and competition that sports brought into her life. With persistent knee injuries and help from her mentors, she quickly realized the benefits of athletic training and physical therapy. She went on to pursue her degrees in both athletic training and physical therapy; working with Division I & II college athletes and high school athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During her physical therapy degree, she also worked at the Davis Cancer Center, helping those suffering with breast cancer, head and neck cancers, and lymphedema regain their quality of life. Lindsey completed her Manual Therapy Certification through the University of St. Augustine and continues to further her sports medicine education through courses in dry needling, manual therapy, pelvic health, and prevention & rehabilitation. Specializing in the female tennis athlete, Lindsey has been a part of the WTA Sport Sciences & Medicine team since 2014. As a full time staff member, Lindsey oversees WTA Performance Health policies, procedures, education, and development to provide innovative and state of the art services to the players of the WTA.
ALEXIS ANTISTA
Alexis Antista, BS, CSCS, CTPS grew up as a competitive tennis player in Atlanta and continued to play into college. Her freshman year at Palm Beach Atlantic University, she helped her team win the NCCAA National title. The following year, she transferred to the University of Utah and graduated in 2016 with a B.S. in Health & Nutrition. Alexis started her strength and conditioning career at the University of Utah (2016-2017) and Georgia Tech (2017-2018) before moving into the private sector at the Kovacs Institute. Working with tennis players is a specialty for Alexis considering her tennis background. However, she has worked with a diverse number of sports and athletes during her time as a coach including junior individual and team sports, college teams, professional and recreational sports. She is certified through the National Strength & Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Master Tennis Performance Specialist (MTPS) through the International Tennis Performance Association (iTPA) and certified through USA Weightlifting. In addition to her current role with Kovacs Institute she works with United States Tennis Association (USTA) as a Sports Performance Specialist working with some of the country’s best tennis players.
MARTIN BLACKMAN
General Manager of USTA Player and Coach Development
DAVID RAMOS
Director of Coaching Education and Performance Analytics
MATT CLOER
Former University of Florida Association Head Coach and Now Performance Analytics At USTA Player and Coach Development
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