New England

New England’s Finest in Men’s 60s Shine on the National Stage

Davida Dinerman, Special to USTA New England | September 12, 2025

The New England Senior Tennis Foundation (NESTF) proudly celebrates the outstanding performances of two of the region’s top competitors in the Men’s 60s division — Matt Gelotte of Massachusetts and Jim Burda of Connecticut — at the prestigious Level 1 USTA National Men’s Grass Court Championships, held August 19-25 at the historic Philadelphia Cricket Club. Facing off against the nation's best, both players brought grit, preparation, and class to the courts — the result of countless hours of training for an event of this magnitude.

Tennis Meets Endurance: Battling More Than Just Opponents

Mother Nature added her own challenge to the week, with rain delays and weather interruptions testing every competitor’s patience and adaptability. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of the Philadelphia Cricket Club staff and the tournament director, play continued with impressive organization and minimal disruption.

Gelotte’s Silver Run: Redemption and Resilience

For Matt Gelotte, seeded fifth among a 64-player draw, this event marked another major milestone — capturing his second USTA Silver Ball in recent years. Gelotte showed early dominance, cruising through (most of) his initial rounds in straight sets.

In his first round, Gelotte had a tough three setter against Kevin Hill but prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker. Third seed Leo Young also gave him a run in the round of 16, but Gelotte grabbed the win 7-5 in the third set. But it was the semifinal clash with second seed Scott Moore that truly showcased Gelotte’s grit. In a thrilling rematch from a previous final, Gelotte turned the tables this year, grinding out a 7-6, 6-2 victory to punch his ticket to the final.

Matt Gelotte earned a Silver Ball in singles.

There, he faced the top seed, Andy Stoner, in a rollercoaster match. Gelotte needed a set to warm up, gave Stoner a run in the second set, but Stoner sealed the match — and gold — with a 6-0, 7-6 score. A well-earned silver for Gelotte.

Not content with singles success, Gelotte also took on the doubles draw alongside Paul Arciero of Naples, FL. Unseeded, the pair fought valiantly but fell in the second round to the fourth seeded team of Steve Pittman and Peter Kolaric.

Jim Burda (right) earned a Bronze Ball in singles and doubles.

Burda Takes Bronze in Singles and Doubles

As the fourth seed, Jim Burda seemed to cruise in the early rounds and then faced Stoner in the quarterfinals. Despite a close first set, Stoner pulled it out 7-6, 6-1. (Then see Stoner vs Gelotte above). Burda then earned the bronze over Scott Moore.

Like Gelotte, Burda competed in the doubles draw with Bryce Korowin of Plymouth, MI, a frequent partner on the national tourney circuit. Burda/Korowin didn’t drop a set until the semis where they fell to Robert Simmons and Jeff Ray. The New England pair took home the bronze over Peter Kolaric and Steve Pittman. Burda also won a bronze ball with Scott Snow in Boise, Idaho earlier in the year. He and Gelotte are having a great year and are representing New England well, locally and nationally.

The New England Senior Tennis Foundation (NESTF) exists thanks to Irving and Bernice Levine's passion for senior tennis in New England. Their foresight and financial backing have enabled the NESTF to support and promote senior tennis in New England since 1995. A critical part of this support is funding for the New England Slams, the brainchild of Ken and Dorcas Miller, which became the premier tournaments for senior tennis players in New England. The Foundation also supports other senior tournaments in the area and the New England “Cup” competitions for men and women.

While Irving and Bernice established the Foundation and set it up to be financially viable for many years, they did not provide unlimited support. We must rely on continuous donations to sustain these popular and anticipated tennis events in New England.

If you are among the many players who benefit from these events and would love to see the programs expand and thrive, please consider donating to the foundation. Your gift can ensure tennis players in New England will continue to enjoy excellent competition, camaraderie, and experiences for years to come. We have a user-friendly way to donate here. Thank you in advance.

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