Q&A With Beth Causey

Beth Causey has been serving as USTA St. Louis President for three years and on the USTA St. Louis Board of Directors for seven years.

Causey has been involved with USTA since she first began serving on the Grievance Committee 19 years ago. Since then, she has volunteered in various capacities such as event volunteer, Team Captain, Missouri Valley Committee member for Awards and Nominating Board, Fed Cup Transportation liaison, along with her current roles as Board Member and President.

The St. Louis native has been playing tennis for nearly 20 years. Rated at the 3.5 level, she has participated in every USTA format and had the honor of twice qualifying for the USTA League National Championships in the 55 & Over division. 

This week we got to know Causey a little better and learn more about why she is so passionate about what she does.

USTA.com: When did you first start playing tennis?

Beth Causey: I’ve been interested in tennis all my life. I began hitting with friends in junior high school and I still have my wooden rackets! I did not have any formal training or opportunity to work with a tennis pro, so I really didn’t make any progress other than informally hitting. I am lucky to have the neighborhood courts next to my house so that when my daughters were old enough to stay on their own, I began to hit with a friend which upon her recommendation, I then enrolled in tennis clinics at the age of 42.

USTA.com: What is it about tennis specifically has made you want to stick with it for so long?

Causey: Tennis is all encompassing. I have been involved in all aspects because of the challenge of the game and the people that I have met. I feel that every match is a new experience and a new opportunity to improve my game. I often play two matches in a day and it never gets old.

There is so much to figure out in every match and I love to determine the best strategy. I am not the hardest hitter, so I rely on the mental side of the game. Most importantly are the people and the life long friends you meet.  I will oppose someone in a match and you never know…they often become one of your best friends that you might be on the same team or travel with!

USTA.com: What is your greatest tennis memory?

Causey: There are so many great memories and funny stories, and the one thing I bring to my game is a great recall of almost every match I have played.  I can recall the match and the players and the results from the match.

So…while I have a mental rolodex of so many matches, my favorite is actually a match from last summer. I was competing in 55 and over women’s League Section Championship and we were in the final match that would determine if we would advance to Nationals—the ultimate goal of every season. It was an extremely hot St. Louis summer weekend and all of us had played a lot of matches. My partner and I were asked to play the final—this would be our 5th match of the weekend. Every match we had played was extremely close with most going to a 3rd set tiebreak. Unlike the other matches where we were spread out and didn’t know how the match was progressing, we were next to our teammates. Of course, every court was hard and it looked to us that the other two courts were cruising to victory. We momentarily felt that the pressure was off but as it turned out, one court had won and the other court had lost in a 3rd set tiebreak. The pressure was now on us and this was a flip in emotion!

We were in a 3rd set tiebreak and suddenly all eyes on both teams were on us. We had to block it out and play our game. In a twist of fate, we launched the last ball to the net person who had handily put away anything within her reach during the entire match but this time she hit into the net! Our team won and the celebration began! We were ecstatic to achieve the opportunity to advance to Nationals.  

USTA.com: When and why did you first get involved with USTA?

Causey: I would say that my involvement with USTA was a slow and steady progression that I actually resisted at first. I got involved 20 years ago in my early 40’s and I really did not have the confidence to attend a clinic or work with a tennis professional. At the suggestion of a friend that I often hit with, she recommended that I take a tennis clinic through the community college. This course led me to work with Pat Purcell, tennis professional and USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame member, to learn the game. She invited me to join her USTA practice and team.

Early on, she recommended my name to serve on the District Grievance Committee. I accepted and I continued to learn, play and volunteer for USTA. I continued to play more leagues and volunteer for additional USTA opportunities serving as a Captain, League Coordinator, USTA Missouri Valley committee member, transportation liaison for the Fed Cup in St. Louis, and Board Member.

USTA.com: What do you appreciate about working with this organization?

Causey: I appreciate the professionalism of the organization from the local to the National level.  All of my efforts are always met with appreciation and the opportunity to learn more about the game and the organization. The St. Louis District staff is very passionate in all aspects to make every player feel comfortable and accommodated.

USTA.com: What are some of your goals as President of the St. Louis District?

Causey: I have been on the Board since 2013 and we have made a lot of progress moving our District forward. My goals include making sure that our organization has good communication, and that everyone is aware of their options to play.  As players age, many do not know that there might be another league option for them. We can grow the game with multiple options and plans to make sure the leagues are thriving.

Another goal includes continuing and further granting money to deserving organizations to assist them with their efforts in the community. Each year we review grant requests and try to accommodate as many programs as our budget permits.  

A third goal includes always being receptive to new ideas. We are trying to grow the 18-39-year-old league and we need to be flexible and creative.

USTA.com: Do you still play tennis?

Causey: I actually play more tennis than when I first started 20 years ago.  At that time, my daughters were busy with their activities and I did not want to miss their events while playing tennis. At first, I only played a Sunday match if it was not a conflict.

Today, I play over five times per week either in a league game at a Club or USTA and occasional tournaments. The great thing about USTA is that the older you are the more you can play in the various leagues such as 18+, 40+, 55+. All of these leagues have day and evening options…I play both and I appreciate every time I am on the court!