July Spotlight of the Month
Each month, USTA Oklahoma will highlight a player, a volunteer and an NJTL (National Junior Tennis & Learning) or Adaptive Tennis Player. After selecting the three winners, we will sit down for a Q & A with the spotlight of the month.
- Athlete: Any player that has good sportsmanship & dedication to the sport, whether they are just starting out in a Team Challenge or they are a Nationally-ranked player, we would love to hear your recommendations from your team or facility.
- Volunteer: A person that has gone above and beyond for your facility or program.
- NJTL/Adaptive Player: A player that has demonstrated hard work and dedication put forth in their program.
The July Spotlight of the Month Athlete is Reece Compton
Q & A with Reece
USTA Oklahoma: Where are you from?
Reece: I am from Oklahoma City.
USTA Oklahoma: Where do you play?
Reece: I play at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center in Oklahoma City.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite tennis memory?
Reece: My favorite tennis memory is playing at a tennis camp and watching Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe play an exhibition match.
USTA Oklahoma: How long have you been playing?
Reece: I have been playing for nine years.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite athlete?
Reece: My favorite athlete is Kobe Bryant.
USTA Oklahoma: Who is your tennis coach?
Reece: My coach is Chris Haworth.
USTA Oklahoma: What is your pre-match ritual or pre-match meal?
Reece: I don’t have a specific meal I eat but before every match I stay off of my phone and sit and visualize hitting my shots successfully.
USTA Oklahoma: What racquet do you use?
Reece: I use a 2021 Babolat Pure Drive.
USTA Oklahoma: Forehand or backhand?
Reece: Forehand
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite sport, besides tennis?
Reece: My favorite sport besides tennis is baseball.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite food?
Reece: Favorite food is any kind of chicken.
The July Spotlight of the Month Volunteer is Stacye Chernisky
Q & A with Stayce
USTA Oklahoma: Where are you from?
Stayce: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
USTA Oklahoma: Where do you volunteer?
Stayce: I started the All Saints Tennis Team at All Saints Catholic School in Broken Arrow. I also volunteer at Indian Springs Country Club with Junior Tennis Tournaments being a court monitor.
USTA Oklahoma: How long have you been volunteering at this organization?
Stayce: At All Saints Catholic School since 2019. I have volunteered at Indian Springs since 2015.
USTA Oklahoma: Do you play tennis?
Stayce: Yes!
USTA Oklahoma: How long have you been playing tennis?
Stayce: Since August 2014.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite tennis memory?
Stayce: Playing at Indian Wells at the 2015 USTA National Championships.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite athlete?
Stayce: Tom Brady & Rafael Nadal
USTA Oklahoma: Who is your tennis coach?
Stayce: Doug Stone
USTA Oklahoma: What is your pre-match ritual or pre-match meal?
Stayce: Pre-Match drink would be a Sambazon Acai Berry Pomegranate Amazon Energy Drink. I don't really have a pre-match meal, but I do have to have gum when playing a match. It forces me to breathe during play!
USTA Oklahoma: What racquet do you use?
Stayce: Babolat Pure Aero
USTA Oklahoma: Forehand or backhand?
Stayce: Forehand, all day
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite sport, besides tennis?
Stayce: Football and golf. I pretty much like all sports, except soccer...sorry!
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite food?
Stayce: Steak
The July Spotlight of the month NJTL player is Maria Christian
Q & A with Maria
USTA Oklahoma: Where are you from?
Maria: I am from Oklahoma City.
USTA Oklahoma: Where do you play?
Maria: I play at OKC Tennis Center with First Serve OKC Foundation.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite tennis memory?
Maria: My favorite memory is when I got second place in my first L7 tournament.
USTA Oklahoma: How long have you been playing?
Maria: I have been playing for almost seven years.
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite athlete?
Maria: Coco Gauff
USTA Oklahoma: Who is your tennis coach?
Maria: Tony Mullican and many others.
USTA Oklahoma: What is your pre-match ritual or pre-match meal?
Maria: Stretching and listening to my favorite music.
USTA Oklahoma: What racquet do you use?
Maria: Wilson and Head
USTA Oklahoma: Forehand or backhand?
Maria: Backhand
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite sport, besides tennis?
Maria: Karate
USTA Oklahoma: Favorite food?
Maria: Spaghetti and meatballs
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