Community Spotlight
Celebrating Our Community: Meet The Faces of ATC!
Club Member
What got you interested in playing tennis and how long have you played?
I played in dabbles at it in high school, then picked it up again seriously in my 30's.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Albany Tennis Club?
The community we enjoy, the friends I've made, plus the soft courts are so kind to your legs!
How has the tennis club helped you improve your game or fitness level?
By providing unlimited opportunities to play and practice a lot, plus occasional lessons.
Can you describe any memorable moments or experiences you’ve had here?
Too many to mention, but the special feeling you get when you first play at the club on a perfect spring day.
What makes the club’s atmosphere or community special compared to other places you’ve played?
You can't be a stranger here for long. Just show up with your racquet, or join a program, and you'll soon be playing. This doesn't exist at the other facilities I've played at.
What Racket do you use and why?
A Volkl C10 at the moment. It has excellent control and feel.
Do you have a favorite Pro Player?
I've been following Casper Ruud. He has a great game, but moreover his court demeanor, sense of humor and likeability are so attractive.
What is one fun fact about yourself you are willing to share?
I'm a sailor. I'll bet I've spent a year, cumulatively, on sailboats on both salt and fresh water.
SUSAN BOTTClub Member
How long have you played tennis?
40 years
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Albany Tennis Club?
The camaraderie means a lot to me—it gives me a true sense of purpose.How has the tennis club helped you improve your game or fitness level?
It fills me with a reassuring confidence that I can always do better. At my current fitness level, I feel truly alive and constantly have something to look forward to.Can you describe any memorable moments or experiences you’ve had here?
When the girls and I from the tennis club went up to Lake George, we enjoyed a luncheon cruise aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrament—the largest cruise ship on Lake George.What makes the club’s atmosphere or community special compared to other places you’ve played?
The beauty of the club’s surroundings always puts a smile on my face, and the warm, friendly nature of the members makes it even more special.What Racket do you use?
Wilson
Do you have a favorite Pro Player?
Roger FedererWhat is one fun fact about yourself you are willing to share?
I love adventure.
Club Member
How long have you played tennis?
I grew up right across the street from two tennis courts in Newburgh, NY. When I was growing up, the neighborhood kids, including me, mostly played baseball with a tennis ball on those courts. I started regularly playing tennis on the courts that I grew up next to around 2011 or 2012. My brother and some neighborhood friends found ourselves playing tennis for several hours each day over one summer that first year. Then I joined a local tennis club where I took some tennis lessons and played in a few leagues for a year. I didn’t play as regularly for a while but I joined the Albany Tennis Club in 2023 and have been playing regularly again during the outdoor season since.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Albany Tennis Club?
I enjoy a lot of things about the Albany Tennis Club. Some of my favorites include the warm welcome from Larry and the staff at the ATC, as well as fellow members. I like that I am supporting a local organization and the care that the organization does in preserving the beautiful clay courts at the ATC. I love the community tennis events and the annual 15-Love event. I also love playing Wednesday evening singles and the annual tennis tournament.
How has the tennis club helped you improve your game or fitness level?
The ATC gives me a chance to regularly get out and play tennis. I’ve met great people through the ATC that I can reach out to play tennis with anytime. I’ve certainly enjoyed playing some marathon matches and just playing until we can’t see the ball going over the net anymore because the sun is setting.
Can you describe any memorable moments or experiences you’ve had here?
I’ve played some challenging matches at the ATC that have lasted at least two to three-plus hours. Some that come to mind include Dave Giwerc during the 2023 ATC annual tennis tournament, Derek Friedman during the 2024 annual tennis tournament, and Davis Moeckel for Universal Tennis League matches. I enjoy playing regularly with other members and participating at the community tennis events when I am able.
What makes the club’s atmosphere or community special compared to other places you’ve played?
I love the staff and members at the ATC. I especially enjoy Larry’s emails with detailed information about what is going on at the ATC.
What Racket do you use?
I’ve been using a Wilson BLX Surge with a 100 sq. inch headsize for a while. I was thinking of trying something new.
Do you have a favorite Pro Player?
I have a few favorites. I guess Jannik Sinner right now. I used to root for Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Novak, Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Serena and Venus Williams. I wish tennis was easier to watch. The Tennis Channel used to come with a basic cable subscription so I could watch and it was pretty easy to follow. It seems a bit too expensive and out-of-reach to follow these days. I’m a bit busier these days too.
What is one fun fact about yourself you are willing to share?
One fun fact about myself – I’m always doing something. I enjoy peace and quiet in nature.
GEORGE DELLA ROCCO
Club Member
How long have you played tennis?
Since 1975. i joined USTA and team tennis. Our teams had 2 wins at WTT CHAMPIONSHIPS and a second place in USTA championship, and 13 national competitions.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Albany Tennis Club?
I enjoy the atmosphere when you go through the gates, folks of all levels playing and enjoying themselves.
How has the tennis club helped you improve your game or fitness level?
When the ball doesn’t come to you as evenly as a hard court, you have to hustle to get. Especially those drop shots.
Can you describe any memorable moments or experiences you’ve had here?
Having clay court specialist Don Castle call me to play the senior championship there. I believe we won it but can’t remember the year.
What makes the club’s atmosphere or community special compared to other places you’ve played?
It’s the park setting, not like going into a country club or Forrest Hills where I played 2002.
What Racket do you use?
Wilson Sledge Hammer Stretch. I beleive It has the largest string area. Larry would know as my stringer.
Do you have a favorite Pro Player?
Always rooted for Novak, while he chased Roger and Rafa. Met Rod Laver twice and admired him.
What is one fun fact about yourself you are willing to share?
Many years ago, tennis magazine, had a story on the USTA rating system. I wrote a letter to the author explaining the issues many of our teams were having, as other areas had some teams with much stronger players. He sent me a letter saying he thinks I wanted to be a big fish in a small bowl. As my luck would have it, we won our section, went to nationals and the guest speaker was the author, whom I met. He remembered me and we had a few laughs about it.
ALEX NITTIClub Member
How long have you played tennis?
3 years
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Albany Tennis Club?
The wonderful group of fellow tennis lovers, and the Jack Curry clinics that are available.
How has the tennis club helped you improve your game or fitness level?
I try to go to weekly clinics and participate in different club events that will push me to improve.
Can you describe any memorable moments or experiences you’ve had here?
My husband and I started playing tennis together as a common hobby, and I have had the best time, not only being his doubles partner, but getting to compete against him and even sometimes get a win over him! It has given us so many fun times together and a chance to see a different side of each other we didn't usually get to see.
What makes the club’s atmosphere or community special compared to other places you’ve played?
There is always someone there to say "hello" and everyone is so welcoming. It is clear it is community and player run, and by people who truly want everyone, of every level, to feel invited.
What Racket do you use?
Head Radical
Do you have a favorite Pro Player?
Jasmine Paolini
What is one fun fact about yourself you are willing to share?
I also take weekly ballroom dancing lessons - my favorite is a dance called West Coast Swing.