b'Why Tennis is the Greatest Sport PastorandCoachKendeKoningisamongCorpusAbove: The whole Tennis Success crew (just about) at HEB The positive, life-changing influence that tennis train- Christis most beloved and respected citizens, first arriv- Tennis Center; Below: Head Coach Kristy Hardcastle on court.ing has on the developing mind is why so many adultsing here in 1970 on a tennis scholarship to the University respond in an emotional way when talking about theirof Corpus Christi (now TAMUCC) under Coach Bob days in the searing heat, or blistering cold, on a tennisMapes. At age 16, de Koning was the #1 player in his court working on their game with relentless determina- home country of Suriname, the smallest nation in South tion, especially their weaknesses. It was the day whenAmerica, which named him national Sportsman of the youfinallymasteredareliablesecondservetoyourYear at age 17. Before coming to Corpus Christi, de Kon-opponents backhand, or the day when you at last benting played on the European pro circuit and was selected your knees on your forehand volley, like your coach hadto play on the Dutch Davis Cup team. Among his prote-been barking at you to get right, and you stopped miss- ges over the years was Driscoll native Steve Denton, who ing the shot that was a weakness. We learned how toreached #12 in the world in singles and #2 in doubles improve by being honest about what we did wrong, andwith partner Kevin Curren, with whom he won the 1982 not giving up until we got it rightand then practicingU.S. Open Mens Doubles title.doing it right until it became part of our mental fabric,My kids arent uptight and nervous, said Ken de Kon-and that was just the technical part! Just as valuable wasing, I teach them the value of preparationgetting learning how to compete by figuring out your opposi- enough sleep and eating the right foodsand making tion and making them hit the shots they liked least. themunderstandeachstepinimproving.Agood The mental and physical immersion into the sport, incoach measures the next step. Too many parents are the never-ending effort to improve, is the good drug toonly concerned about winning, but these are kids which serious players become addicted and that givesand we have to teach them to take the next step, and tennis such value to so many, especially young peoplethe next one after that. De Koning, now well into looking for a cause and positive directionthe goodhis 70s, coaches advanced Tennis Success kidswho kind of addiction. Thats what keeps the kids comingarepreparingforhigh back, and what can motivate their academic success. schooltennis,and Kristy Hardcastle is a certified teaching pro who is thesomewhoareal-head tennis coach for Tennis Success. I relate to a lot ofreadyonCCISD these kids, said the Corpus Christi native, I was intro- teams. His expe-duced to tennis by Susan Wesson at South Park Middlerience and exper-School. I heard about a summer tennis camp at Pharaohtisehaveproven Valley Country Club that was $75. Well, I showed upmajor assets to the and it was $275, and I felt so embarrassed, rememberedprograms growth.Hardcastle, but I found out about HEB Tennis Center and got to go all summer! I want to build their self esteem, and teach them how to win and handle loss.98THECOASTALBENDMAGAZINE TheCoastalBend.com'