FEATURED ATHLETE KRYSTAL CSUK

Shooting Star

By Sarah Warhaftig

After attending her first junior nationals at the age of 11 Krystal Csuk realized racquetball was going to be a huge part of her life.  After pairing up with Coach T.J. Ferro, as well as her mother’s support Csuk took her racquetball dreams to the next level.

T.J. Ferro has been and always will be Csuk’s motivation to train every day.  “He taught me so many skills from basic mechanics in racquetball to life skills,” says Krystal.  T.J. passed away from lung cancer in 2010, but his racquetball spirit still lives inside of Csuk.  “I think of him every day, and keep me motivated to train, even when life is busy.”  Krystal calls him his shooting star, watching from above rooting for her at all of her matches and this keeps her inspired to excel both on and off the court. 

While Krystal is not on the court, she holds a busy schedule as a physical therapist trying to balance boyfriend, friends an family.  She admits to losing a bit of sleep to fit it all in, but she expects herself to give each day her best.  She realizes some weeks are easier than others, but tries to train 2-3 hours on workdays and more during the weekends.  She feels lucky to have a boss who is a racquetball player himself, and has been one of her biggest supporters to continue playing.   

As Krystal continues to move up the WPRO rankings she is excited to see where the tour will go.  On new tour commissioner Gigi Rock, Krystal says, “I think she offers a bright new outside perspective and is sparking change within the WPRO.”  Krystal hopes with a cooperative group dynamic from the ladies on the tour, the WPRO will embrace positive change and an exciting future. 

Krystal has reached her highest ranking yet at #6, and her first semi-final appearance in December of 2011 are listed as her biggest accomplishments to date.  In April of 2011, Csuk made the trip to Nicaragua with the US National Team, and was extremely proud to represent her country.  Krystal will continue to improve her game, challenging herself on and off the court; she knows the best is yet to come!

WPRO Highly ranked racquetball pro's passion for sport led her to love affair with new hometown

By Don Wade  Posted February 13, 2012 at 12:07 a.m.

Adrienne Fisher works on her game on the racquetball court at Germantown Athletic Club. An Ohio native, Fisher came to know Memphis from competing in the sport's U.S. Open. She is now the fifth-ranked player in the world.

This is not a story of boy meets girl, but of girl meets game and girl meets city.

Adrienne Fisher met the game of racquetball when she was 6 years old. She fell in love with it, committed to it by turning pro as a teenager and decided to stay with it, even though she understood the game's figurative low ceiling: Pro racquetball is too fast to make for good television. And this keeps the game and its players forever standing by the side of the tracks as the Great American Sports Gravy Train rolls by without them.

"It's frustrating," Fisher says of the money not to be made on the women's pro tour. In her best year, she brought home maybe $2,000 in winnings and bonuses; she's currently the fifth-ranked player in the world.

"But it's a Catch-22," she continues. "There's not as many racquetball players as there are people playing tennis or golf. So the money's proportional to how many people are playing it. But playing the tour has never been about making money. It's something I love to do and I don't have to spend money. I can break even."

A second story: Fisher met Memphis at 16, kinda liked it, and grew to like it more as she made her annual return to play in racquetball's U.S. Open, which for years was held at The Racquet Club. Ultimately, Fisher, now 26, fell for the city, even as those around her -- native Memphians -- were disparaging it.

"I didn't go to Graceland until I moved here," she says, "but everybody was really nice. I know a lot of people from here say they hate it, but I don't know what the problem is. I love it here.

"There are just so many things to do -- the Pink Palace, Beale Street, all the good places to eat. I just went to my first Grizzlies game, and it was awesome. I'm now a Tigers/Grizzlies fan."

Originally from Centerville, Ohio, Fisher played racquetball at the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in marketing and public relations. She is close to getting a master's in restaurant and hospitality management from Alabama and works for an area hotel owned by Kemmons Wilson Companies.

"They've been supportive," she says. "They let me go play the tournaments."

Fisher has mostly avoided injury during her career, but she did recently have her tonsils removed and has just returned to the court. She is always looking for ways to improve her health and conditioning. Recently, she began using an app on her iPhone to help her adjust her diet. Her biggest challenge to staying true comes at work.

"We get all the leftovers from the catering," she says.

Besides playing racquetball, she runs, lifts weights and takes the occasional spinning class.

The sport earns high marks for burning calories: website shapefit.com says a 130-pound person playing a casual game of racquetball for an hour would burn 413 calories, 590 if playing competitively.

She has added paddleball, essentially a slower version of racquetball that demands a lot more running, and results have come quickly. She has reached the semifinals twice this season -- a career first -- and less frequently finds she's using inventive ploys to buy time and catch her breath.

"I'm not making as many mistakes, not taking as long to recover between points, not having to clean my goggles, tie my shoelaces, check my strings -- I've used them all," she says with a laugh.

With no other pro women's players in town, Fisher has to play men -- if they're willing to step on the court with her.

"There are a lot of guys who don't want to play her because they're afraid they'll get beat," says Charlie Andrews, 50, one of the top players in the city, who usually plays Fisher on Sunday afternoons at the Germantown Athletic Club. "I don't ease up on her. She wants me to play as hard as I can. Her dream is to be No. 1. She's told me that on several occasions."

It is perhaps a romantic notion given that the world's No. 1 player, Paola Longoria, is demonstrably better than No. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, and Rajsich is clearly better than everyone else. Fisher's game is power. Or as tour veteran Cheryl Gudinas, 44, who once held the top spot four years running, says: "She hits the ball a ton."

Fisher embraces the power label, especially on her more formidable backhand side, and says, "Strategy is not my first thing. But that's just the way I play. I play aggressive rather than being defensive and waiting for people to make mistakes."

Gudinas, who has been something of a mentor to Fisher, recalls a semifinal match they had a couple of years ago. Gudinas had the serve and was one point away from closing out the match when she left Fisher a "setup," and an easy lane for hitting a passing shot. Instead of hitting the pass, Fisher went for a kill shot, skipped it, and lost the match.

"There are times when she could make it more simple for herself," Gudinas says, adding there is much to like about her game: "She has a really good drive serve, the power, and hits the ball well down the lines."

Says Andrews: "Fundamentally, she's sound. She's extremely competitive, which is a really good strength. She's fearless. She's not afraid to hit a shot."

Gudinas and Fisher serve on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization's rules committee, and Gudinas says Fisher is "good for the sport."

Fisher plans to stay in the sport and in Memphis; her job is here, her boyfriend is here, and she envisions playing years from now, even without much financial reward.

"I'm going to play as long as they let me go play," she says. "And when it's time to start a family, we'll see. There are a lot of girls (on tour) that have families and jobs."

© 2012 Memphis Commercial Appeal. All rights reserved. This material has been approved to be republished, by the WPRO

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Semi-finals

It'll be 1 v. 2 again in a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) event final, as WPRO #1 Rhonda Rajsich will face #2 Paola Longoria Sunday in the Finals of the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington. Longoria has won their last two meetings: last month in the US Open and in the Pan American Games.

Rajsich reached the final by defeating Kristen Bellows, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6, while Longoria beat fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6.

The final will be at noon Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Kristen Bellows, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6

Paola Longoria d. Susana Acosta, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6

Finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Paola Longoria

Follow the bouncing ball....

Posted by The Racquetball Blog 

Rhonda Rajsich and the Girls just wanna have fun!...and the boys

Olympia WA, November 18, 2011 – Rhonda Rajsich shows up at Ballys, dons a two-foot tall wig and glasses, not because she wants to, but because she has too.  The Pro ladies of Racquetball (WPRO) are playing at the Puget Sound Challenge this weekend at Ballys and Rhonda showed up early for a junior clinic put on by Cheyenne Hayes.   

The WPRO is currently working with the GoGirlGo! Program to support each local community where a WPRO tour stop is scheduled.  “It’s a chance to give back to the community and the girls, showing them the diversity of our elite female athletes, hearing their stories, talk about staying fit and healthy and playing a little racquetball’, says Commissioner Rock.  It’s the least we can do.   We will also be accepting racquet donations at each of our tour stops to help build and support these upcoming athletes.

Rhonda had a blast with the girls and boys who came in for the Junior Clinic, each kid played a quick game with her and had a photo opportunity.  But, it wasn’t about how hard they could hit the ball, it was more about what kind of advantage they could get.  Each kid had the opportunity to roll the dice and see what advantage they had playing the #1 World Champion.  Rhonda donned a wig with glasses, barely being able to see at all, the wig falling down  over her eyes,  and sunglasses that could block out a nuclear explosion, or she had to play with a newspaper, and there were many strange, fun items Rhonda was forced to play with.  Each kid rolled the dice and took the advantage, what great fun and the laughter echoed throughout the gym.  

These kids showed tenacity, a great spirit and the love of racquetball…there’s a future pro among them.

Later in the evening several of the other pro ladies landed in Olympia to thank the sponsors by playing Sponsors Doubles.  Each sponsor drew from a stack of cards that had the pro they would be paired up with, what great fun.

Thank you to all the sponsors who helped bring the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization and the Pro Ladies to Olympia, WA

About GoGirlGo!

GoGirlGo!, is an award winning curriculum and sports education program, works to improve the health of sedentary girls and to keep girls involved in physical activity by supporting programs and organizations that work with girls.

  

About the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body for the highest-level professional female racquetball players in the world. It is currently comprised of elite athletes representing over a dozen countries including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Paola Longoria Mexico's Champion

Paola Longoria Michelle Lopez

BY GUILLERMO GONZALEZ MARTINEZ

Nebraska’s Only Latino Owned Bi-lingualSpanish/English Newspaper

Paola Longoria Lopez became the golden girl of the Pan American Games to win three gold medals in racquetball individual, doubles and team. But it is also a great lover of fashion, the catwalk, for she has own brand clothing and racket. From the nine years focused on being a winner and she preferred the gold medals. 

And thanks to support from her parents, today the Queen who revels in her beauty, she sighs, which is an example to follow, and moreover, many young girls who write her letters because they want to be like her. "I think I'm the woman who pulled up for the Mexican sport, not the triumph demerits the men and my other colleagues.  It is the discipline and mindset that is the modern woman, which is what led her to the top. She made ​​history and it is the result of what she is capable of. " Longoria Lopez is simple, though now her feet have many subjects waiting only to see it up close her beautiful and elegance.

Paola, like any great athlete, has had lows and highs. But her tenacity to be the best has led her to break down the barriers that prevented her from being a winner. She struggled, as did the unicorn who every day went into the woods looking for ways to be reflected among the lights illuminating the trees until he succeeded. So Michelle sought (her middle name) leave a lasting figure in the Pan. "I am 22 years old and racquetball has left me great satisfaction. I'm still learning, and want to give my country medals this is what has motivated me to keep me going. Now it's really cool to see so many nice messages to me.

 But it is that the Federation now gets hundreds of calls to ask where you can practice this sport. That is the legacy she leaves as an athlete, "knowing that you are  a champion is the best thing that can happen. It is a difficult lifestyle, but always leaves me with an unforgettable experience." Mexico is the face of international level and it is loved by all who trusts her. "I told myself I could do it", even though she was injured. "My ankle and knee ached, but I told myself to win, and thank God we won the medals". I have a favorite phrase, which is… Let's play hard (Let's play hard).

Puget Sound Challenge ~ Women's Professional Racquetball Tour Stop

We are excited to announce that the Women’s Professional Racquetball Association (WPRO) is heading back to Washington to display some of the greatest talent in the world during the Puget Sound Challenge.

The event will be held November 17-20, 2011 here at our local Bally Total Fitness Olympia, WA. This tournament is consistently one of the most anticipated amateur events in the Northwest and has grown into one the most well-attended tournaments in the area, with first class hospitality and exposure for sponsors.  We are offering you the opportunity to showcase your company on a grand stage with the top female racquetball players in the world.

The dynamic players of the WPRO travel throughout the United States, Canada and South America, to promote health and fitness among women and youth by introducing them to the thrilling sport of racquetball and exhibiting tremendous athleticism and mental toughness at the highest level.

WPRO members earn ranking points by competing in sanctioned tour events which, combined with the prize money purse and special bonuses, provide great incentives for local amateurs to participate. Event sponsors are given primary consideration public address announcements, media and television exposure throughout the championships.

The WPRO players will be available for personal appearances, clinics, and various other public relations activities on behalf of event sponsors throughout the weekend. There will be a Sponsor Doubles round robin for the Top 8 contributors to this event where select sponsors will be paired up with pro’s for a fun evening of doubles, photo ops and networking.

During the past few years, through the efforts of many, Washington’s Women’s Racquetball has grown tremendously.  A few short years ago, there were almost no women’s divisions being held at tournaments.  Now, you can find a Women’s event going on almost every month as well many women taking the time to compete at our many local tournaments.  Never has women’s racquetball been more exciting in our area. What a great time to bring in these top professionals in the world!

We invite you to participate as a premier sponsor and we hope that you will find the necessary information regarding the Puget Sound Challenge tournament in this package.  Should you decide to support this event, you will be making an investment in the future of women’s racquetball not only in our region, but around the world.  

Sponsorship Opportunities:  sponsorships@wprotour.com

Website Sign-Up  :http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=8826

Want to go to the US Open?  Sit  with the Commissioner in the VIP Box, take photos with the lady pros and so much more?...make sure you're signed up on the Blog and watch for details?

FROM THE US OPEN PAGE:
The move to Minneapolis in 2010 was nothing short of a HOME RUN!  If you did not attend last year I am sure you heard the buzz—-the tournament was AWESOME!!  In addition to a huge turnout of players and fans the real story was the incredible downtown entertainment district in Minneapolis.  Hotels, restaurants, night clubs, world class shopping, and the gorgeous Target Center combined to provide a backdrop for non-stop fun!

Information will be released on Monday, September 5...

US OPEN 

Tell your friends....