December 18, 2007

It has been a while since I have written. This has been an eventful year and I feel very lucky to be in the position I am now.
I played my last tournament in June in Italy. It was heartbreaking to not be able to perform at my best due to my leg injury.
I returned home to Florida one week later still not content with my game ,so I decided to start a new chapter.
Back when I was playing my best I never thought I would enjoy coaching. Whenever I watched my friends, I always got anxious and wanted to go out on court and play too!
In June I began coaching a 17 year old girl, helping her to improve on consistency and in match play. My knowledge from my experiences just came flowing out when we practiced and I loved helping her.
In August I began coaching and mentoring another up and coming young player. We traveled to ITF junior tournaments, so I experienced all the grind again and emotions that my coach must have felt from the sidelines! It might be tougher to watch than play, I am not sure yet!
In November I took a PTR tennis teaching certification course and passed with the highest level for a coach. So now I am also a Professional Tennis Coach!
With the knowledge I have gained in the last five months I feel like I am playing better and playing with nothing to lose, I wish I would have always played this way!
On December 15 I was invited to play an exhibition mixed-doubles match against Martin Damm, former US Open doubles champion and currently ranked 12 ATP in doubles. Wow...that was fun.
My partner and I won in a tie break, but I have a feeling Martin did not play all out, or maybe I am just getting that good...hhmmmm. Maybe I will enter more tournaments...
For now though, I am entered in classes at a local college and coaching tennis. I hope to stay involved in tennis the rest of my life along with personal training and Nutrition.
Thanks to Michael and John for creating and maintaining this fabulous web site.
Thanks to Ian, Seth, Chris, Fritz, Lance, Alex, Rapha, Mark, Sandra, Linda, the WTA staff, Bunny, Missy, Donna, Dessie, Billie, my mother and father and everyone who has helped and supported me throughout my career. I am so grateful for everything. I loved and appreciated every moment.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
With love,
Tiff

July 19, 2007

Hi!
During the past few weeks, I have been doing rehab and getting a lot of rest.
My hip flexor is healing so I am feeling good. It feels strange to not constantly be on a plane, flying to another city and tournament. It almost feels like I am on vacation! I miss the competition and excitement at the tournaments.
Today I started taking an at home course to get my personal trainer certification. So now I am going to start learning what I can do to improve my fitness level and in the future help others as well.
I have been out of school for nine years, so this should be interesting, I hope I remember something!
All the best!
With love,
Tiff

July 4, 2007

Happy Fourth of July!
This is one of the first years I am home to celebrate.
So tonight it is all about food, family and fireworks!
All the best!
With love,
 Tiff

June 21, 2007

I hope everyone is having a good summer.
It is pretty hot here in Florida now. I spent last weekend at the beach and in the water most of the time!
I withdrew from the rest of my tournaments in June because I am rehabbing a leg injury and getting rest. So I have taken up new activities like Tai Chi.
Yesterday was my first class and upon entering the class an older woman approached me and started up a conversation about the class. She was apparently a regular, and I was impressed at her enthusiasm even though she was a bit hunched over and frail she was still taking care of her body.
But she looked at me very sternly when she found out this was my first class and warned me "This is not a class for beginners"! It was so funny to hear her concern, she might have been four times my age!
But I think she meant well. I am checking into on line courses to become a Licensed Nutritionist as well.
So if anyone has any information on good schools or programs feel free to let me know!
All the best!
With love,
 Tiff

May 19, 2007

Currently I am overlooking the European side of Istanbul and the Marmara Sea from my hotel room.
Today I visited the Bosphorus Bridge that connects the European side of Turkey to the Asian side. It was beautiful and very interesting to know that one country lies on two continents!
This is my third week playing in Turkey. The last few tournaments were held in resort villages in Antalya. The hotel rooms were walking distance from the Mediterranean and the courts.
I made some German friends in Ali Bey Club and my last night there I watched a typical Turkish dance show. Maybe I will be able to Belly dance when I return???!!!
I have one week off in Hamburg Germany, visiting family, before I begin playing in Galatina Italy.
All the best.
With Love,
Tiff

March 31, 2007

Hola Mi Amigos!
I spent last week playing in Coatzacoalcos Mexico, the site of one of my first pro events in 1999.
My host family were my angels! Eduardo, Maria Fer, Valeria and Leonardo took me into their home for one week, and I must also mention Drago and Queen, the two labs who guarded the house were very playful!
This week I am playing in Hammond Louisiana. This is my third time playing here, it is such a small town, I know my way around here like a local!
I participated in Kids Day, where some of the pros taught and played with children ranging from age 5 to 17.  My first group consisted of three very cute 5 year olds!  We had a lot of fun. All the best!  Thanks for the support!
Tiff

February 26, 2007

Hi from Vegas!
I did not bring much cash with me on purpose! So far I won $3 my first time gambling on roulette!
The Tennis Chanel Open is a great tournament, combined with the men, we have a lot of spectators and events, and The Strip is about 20 min from the site.
I have been rehabbing a minor hip flexor strain that unfortunately was not yet 100% for this tournament.
So the rest of my time here will be spent walking The Strip and watching others gamble!
I have not been here since I was 7, all I remember is Casino Casino and the kiddie games!
All the best!
Love,
Tiff

February 15, 2007

Aloha Everyone!
I had a wonderful week in Hawaii when I played the tournament there end of January. I also made a new friend...( I will send the picture of me and my friend to the web site :))
The last two weeks have been spent at home training and rehabbing a hip flex-or injury. My therapist Aaron Mattes has helped me tremendously throughout my career, and I owe my fast recovery to him.
My next tournament will be in Clearwater FL, which is about one hour from my home, so I look forward to competing again. Hope everyone had a good valentines day!
Love,
Tiff
 

November 30, 2006

Hi everyone,
Hello from beautiful San Diego!  I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving, I was able to spend it at home with my friends and family, cooking and eating a lot!
I arrived in San Diego on Friday and have been enjoying the weather and resort like atmosphere in the Santaluz club where the tournament is being played this week. Aside from tennis I have been spending my time with my host family and their cute dog Holly (I think I want to take her home with me!).
Aside from tennis I have been spending my time with my host family and their cute dog Holly (I think I want to take her home with me!).
My friends from LA drove down to see me, and one day we were tourists driving up the scenic coast, to La Jolla and watched seals just come on the beach to sleep.  I would not mind owning one of the homes there one day!
This is my last tournament of the year, so I am going all out and then I have a week off.  I am not sure what I am going to do with myself next week!??!!  Christmas weekend I am going on vacation to South Carolina, I would love to see snow but that would probably be pushing my luck!

August 24, 2006

Hi everyone,
I am writing from one of my favorite cities in the world, New York City!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support me.  I recognized some people from last year and I loved being out there.
I just had a bad day on court, so I am disappointed, but enjoying New York while I am here, because most of all, I am just happy to be here and to have the opportunity to compete in my favorite tournament.
I will be back!

July 31, 2006

Hi Everyone! It feels wonderful to be back in the US. Yesterday, I decided to withdraw from the tournament in Washington and return home to Florida, to rest and regroup.
My goal is to play well in my upcoming tournaments and finish this season in the top 100.
So my training for the next few days consists of, going to the beach, dancing, eating and sleeping a lot! I will then have two weeks of tough training with Sandra before I return to the tour.
Thanks for all the support and see you all again soon!

July 4, 2006

Hi Everyone! It feels great to be back home in the States, but I had a great time in Europe.
Paris is definitely one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world!  I took time to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre- which was so modern and would probably take me a week to see all the sculptures and paintings.
I enjoyed eating crepes too (after my match though!).  In between the French and Wimbledon, I played for a club in Florence and then a tournament in Grado, Italy.  I feel pretty lucky that I was able to visit all of these beautiful cities and see the history there.
Prior to returning to the States, I visited friends and family in Villingen and Hamburg, Germany, two very charming cities. This week I am playing in College Park, Maryland and I am staying with friends. It is nice to sleep in a cozy house opposed to always staying in a hotel.

February 16, 2006
I feel very fortunate to have participated in two of my favorite tournaments recently, the challengers held in Waikoloa, Hawaii and Midland Michigan.
Tim Didonato, the tournament director of the tournament held on the Big Island of Hawaii, arranged to have a sail boat take the players and guests to go whale watching on the Pacific. It was beautiful and amazing to see the whales breach the surface so close to the boat.
I made the most of my stay that week, went to a Luau, walked on an active volcano, and drove around the entire island. We visited scenic points with breathtaking views of waterfalls flowing into the valleys and the ocean.
Midland Michigan has a bit of a different feel than Hawaii, with temperatures in the teens and snow! This tournament offers housing and I am staying with my friends The Pool's again this year.
I had the opportunity to speak to several Elementary school classes this week about what life is like on the tour. The fourth and fifth graders were very enthusiastic about what countries I have been to, who I have beaten and they broke out in cheers when they found out my favorite color is pink!

January 18, 2006
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had as much fun over the holidays as I did!
My coach Sandra Cacic, pushed me very hard in practice to prepare me for this year, so I am excited to return to the tour.
My first tournament was in Tampa and it felt great to be able to sleep in my own bed and spend time with friends, which kept me relaxed and motivated me to perform well at home....and it worked!
Thanks to everyone who supported me in Tampa, especially on the extremely cold and windy days!
This week I am playing in a quiet beachfront community, Fort Walton Beach.

December 24, 2005
2005 has been a very exciting year for me and I thank everyone for their support.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2006!
All the best!
Tiff

November 22, 2005
Due to a shoulder injury I sustained after the US Open, I needed to take time off tournaments to rehab and regroup. I am very happy to be competing again and will begin my first round in San Luis Potosi Mexico tomorrow. The tournament is being held at one of the premier sports facilities in Mexico, so I have to pass the Tae Kwon Do and swimming classes to get to the courts! I guess I will have to substitute tacos and fajitas for Turkey this year! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

September 6, 2005
It was exciting competing in my first US Open this year.
From the first moment I picked up a racquet at the age of 10, I dreamed of playing on center court winning the US Open!
New York is fascinating and anything is possible once you enter the draw. I loved the enthusiastic crowd and energy they added to the already motivating atmosphere.
I am so lucky to of had my friends and mother with me in New York. Thanks to Michael, Alex, Raphael and all of you for your support!

August 14, 2005
Had a great week in Washington DC playing in the Legg Mason. My first round was against the number 2 seed and the crowd was very enthusiastic and excited to see the women play there for the first time.
I had a lot of support and loved signing autographs for the fans.  One day I took time to visit some monuments and the Zoo, but it was so hot! It is easier for me to play tennis than to walk around outside in 100 degree weather!
Hope you continue enjoying my web site.

June 19, 2005
Anyong ha se yo! This week I am playing in Incheon Korea. I have been competing here for two weeks, last week the tournament was held in Seoul. It was so exciting for me to compete at the site where, in 1988, one of my idols, Steffi Graf, won the Olympics. I am trying to adjust to the Korean food, but it is so spicy and hot! My hotel is in China town and some mornings I struggle to remember where I am! Yesterday I took a walk through Freedom Park where locals play badminton and tourists can visit a large statue of General Douglas MacArthur that was constructed to honor him in helping Korea gain its independence. All the best and hope you continue enjoying my web site!

May 1, 2005
Konnichiwa from Hamanako Japan! It is so nice to return here, the locals remembered me from last year and I brushed up on my Japanese!
Although the court surface is a little different, synthetic grass with sand, somehow I like it!
The food is so healthy and delicious too, have been trying the sushi and I wish I could have steak like this at home!
I look forward to two more weeks here.
Hope you keep enjoying my web site!

March 4, 2005
My first tournament of a five week tour began on the Big Island of Hawaii, in Kona. I feel so lucky to compete here, where I eat breakfast on the balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean, while watching the whales breach the surface. I can definitely get used to this! After my quarterfinal match, a few locals who I befriended, gave me and my mother beautiful leis, to make the Hawaiian experience complete.
Webmaster Report: Tiffany is proud to announce Fila as her newest sponsor.  Tiffany reports she is enjoying the nice Fila clothing and shoes.

November 30, 2004
News from the road Tucson:
Enjoyed playing in Tucson, reaching the quarterfinals . The view from my hotel room was beautiful and the way the sun shone on the mountains each morning made it look more like a painting. One day walking back to the room from the courts, we saw a road runner on the golf course. I have never seen a bird run so fast in my life! Thanks for the support and I hope you continue to enjoy my web site!

October 28, 2004
Had a successful trip to Nigeria. It is an experience I will never forget, from the police escorts for one week due to the workers strike, to enjoying the native foods and seeing the culture and way of life in Lagos.
It is however ironic that a country where the average income is $2.00 a day, has four women's professional tennis tournaments with a total prize money of $70,000. This experience made me realize how lucky I am.
From the Webmaster: Tiffany won the $10,000 singles event in Nigeria and was a singles finalist and a doubles semifinalist in the $25,000 (October 4) event.

October 14, 2004
Been having a great trip so far. Lebanon is a beautiful country and the ATCL , site where the tournament was played, overlooked the Mediterranean and was surrounded by mountains.
I appreciated the great hospitality from the tournament director and the organization.
Arrived in Nigeria on September 28 and even though the van waiting at the airport needed a back wheel before we could depart, the locals made me feel comfortable and welcome! The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club has a 1000 seat stadium that you see as soon as you enter the club. It is very motivating playing on center court and the audience gets into it here! I look forward to one more week here in Lagos Nigeria!

August 13, 2004
Instead of News from the Road...News from Home!
Just returned home from beautiful Vancouver. A minor leg injury kept me from competing at my best. Now I am home just as Hurricane Charley is supposed to hit us!
I will begin training and getting physically fit with Pat Etcheberry these next few weeks that I am home. Bobby Banck, my coach, has been working on improving my consistency and playing smarter.
For now I will enjoy spending time with my family and friends, but I am eager to return to the tour!