A Tennis Missionary remembers

It's over!

The US Open is now over. I would just like to share a few thoughts..

US Open 2008

• God put it on my heart to pray for a couple specific players - even if it hurts me personally by not being at this year's US Open.  Who else prays for players?  But I would think that God would move on others hearts worldwide for prayer for specific players or doubles teams.
• I appreciate the five players or so who have emailed me stating they miss me.
• I am sure that players were being ministered to in other ways with the Gospel.  All I can do is pray and trust the right people are around them.

Upcoming Tournaments

• The next tournament for me is Tokyo, Japan September 29th to October 7th.  My housing and the local churches are all arranged.
• Reserved my flights for Australia in January (Perth, Sydney and Melbourne)

Family

• The day our family arrived back from Hawaii from our vacation we had a typhoon have a direct strike on Hong Kong.  Not nearly as bad as a hurricane just a lot of rain and winds about 50 miles an hour.
• My tennis program is filled up...as always I consider it a miracle.  6 days of lessons a week with Sunday off!  Not coaching on Sunday is the smartest thing I have ever done!
• 22 really nice lighted tennis courts of the national tennis center were torn up for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian events were held in Hong Kong.  The Hong Kong national players were moved to two courts at the YMCA camp.  No plans to rebuild the courts or move the tennis players.
  

Weekly Verse - September 1, 2008 US Open edition

MONDAY: [Men's/Women's 4th Round] - Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging. - Hebrew 10:25
There are enough critics in the world; what we need is more cheer-leaders.

TUESDAY: [Men's 4th/Women's Quarterfinal] - Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of all peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:9
No matter what we teach our children, they insist on behaving just like their parents! What a sobering thought!

WEDNESDAY: [Men's/Women's Quarterfinal] - Neither do we need letters of endorsement...You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. - 2 Corinthians 3:2
You may teach what you know, but you can only reproduce what you are. The most valuable gift you can give anybody is a consistent example, and a faith in God that you live by at all times.

THURSDAY: [Men's Quarterfinal/Mixed Doubles Final//Women's Doubles Semifinal] - Christ who suffered for you is your example... never told a lie, never answered back when insulted...He left His case in the hands of God Who always judges fairly. - 1 Peter 2:21-23
We all have to learn how to discern the ‘spirit’ behind the words. Is it gentle or judgmental?

FRIDAY: [Women's Semifinals/Men's Doubles Final] - If a brother sins against you, go to him privately. - Matthew 18:15
It’s hard for any of us to receive criticism, so watch your attitude toward the critic. Bitterness will do more damage to you than any criticism levelled against you. Bitterness is shown by speaking to others about a person.

SATURDAY: [Men's Semifinals ] - Remember...the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me (Jesus), they will also persecute you. - John 15:20
If you’re making a difference, expect criticism; and remember, you’re in some very distinguished company.

SUNDAY: [Women's Singles Final/Women's Doubles Final/Men's Singles Final] - John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called Me...a friend of the riffraff. - Matthew 11:18 (The Message version)
Criticism is just proof that your influence is being felt. Your example will do more to change peoples minds than all their arguments.

Recent video postings.
Arthur Ashe interview with Charlie Rose - 1992
US OPEN 2004 Federer def Hewitt (Part 3/5)
US Open 2006 Gladys Knight sings "America The Beautiful/God Bless America"
US Open tribute - Todd Martin Part 1/2
US OPEN 1990 Gabriela Sabatini def. Steffi Graf
US Open 1999 Serena Williams def. Martina Hingis
US Open 2004 Federer def. Agassi - (6/8)
US Open 1996 Sampras def. Corretja (1/2)
Ilie Nastase documentary
Jimmy Connors def. Rod Laver in Las Vegas, 1975.

Complete video listing: 1  ,  2

US Open remembrances 1991 to 2006 Part 1

The main court is located at the 24,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, named after Arthur Ashe, the player who won the inaugural men's final of the US Open in 1968. Court Number 2 is the 10,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium, which stood as the main stadium originally holding 18,000-seats.

1991 - I was there when - Jimmy Connors turns 39-years-old and comes back from a two sets to one and a 2-5 fifth set deficit to defeat Aaron Krickstein 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the round of 16. My former USTA supervisor Ed McQuillian takes me into the men's locker room at the old indoor stadium and I hook up with Jimmy Conners again.  Amazingly every player had to walk from the indoor stadium entrance through the waiting crowds to the Center Court (now Grand Stand court).  Video!

 2004 - I was there when Federer defeated Agassi in a daytime quarterfinal match under the worst wind conditions I have ever seen.  "Hitting the ball in the center of the court was a great shot today," said Agassi. Federer won 6-3 2-6 7-5 3-6 6-3.

I was there when Jennifer Capriati played her last US Open.  Capriati came oh-so-close yet again at Flushing Meadows before falling to Dementieva; who double faulted an entire game but yet still was victorious at 6-0, 2-6, 7-6 (5) Video!

2005 - I was there when 35-year-old Andre Agassi fought back from two sets down and then 3-0 behind in the tiebreak to beat James Blake 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-3 7-6 (8-6) in the US Open quarter finals ending well past 1am: The The inspired play from both men led many to call this one of the greatest matches in US history. Video!

2006 - I was there when Agassi played his last match at the US Open losing 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 to Benjamin Becker in the third round.  The last thing Andre took in this hand as he left Arthur Ashe Stadium was the Daily Verse which you receive. Video!

Sign up for the Daily Verse here.

Website: in case you missed a posting.

US Open remembrances 1991 to 2006 Part 1.
US Open remembrances 1972 to1984 Part 2. (upcoming post!)
USTA - Remembrances - built brick by brick.
USTA - Remembrances history, league play, player development. (upcoming post!)
US Open - The good, the bad and the sad.
Weekly Verse - August 24, 2008 US Open Special Edition.
US Open - I will not be there.
Army/US Open/Arthur Ashe.

Video:
US Open 2007 Agassi def. Baghdatis
US Open 2006 Andre Agassi last match and retires from tennis
US Open 2005 Andre Agassi def. James Blake
US Open 2004 Elena Dementieva def. Jennifer Capriati
US Open 2000 Venus Williams def. Lindsay Davenport
US Open 1997 Chang def. Rios
US Open 1996 Sampras def. Corretja (coming soon!)
US Open 1988 Wilander def. Lendl
US Open 1984 McEnroe def.Connors part 1
US Open 1991 Connors def. Krickstein
US Open 1977 Guillermo Vilas def. Jimmy Connors Final Forest Hills on clay.
US Open 1971 Forest Hills Billie Jean King vs. Rosie Casels
Forest Hills 1929 women's tennis

Complete video listing: 1  ,  2

This US Open - 2 new video's posted each day of great former matches.

USTA - Remembrances history, league play, player development

I grew up in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) system as both a player and in the management.   My history goes way back as a ranked junior and new member in about 1972 then progresses in the 80's to Vice President of my USTA district, certified linesman, national clinician, an original National Tennis Rating monitor and finally as a USTA lifetime member.

One example of how the USTA operated during the early years of my involvement:  Prior to computers being used for ranking, it was conducted behind closed doors with one or two volunteers in a district determining where a person stood on the ranking list.  This often lead to favoritism.   I was glad to be at the presentation in 1981as a Vice President of my district when Joe Grover, today a USTA Vice President and board member - gave a presentation on using a computer for rankings at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Western Tennis Association in Cincinnati on December 6, 1981. We voted on it and the report was filed; The first complete computer generated rankings were produced and used for the 1982 Junior Rankings.

The best that I have personally experienced -
League play - Transformed tennis in the US from a few highly competitive players to the multitude of recreational players in all sections of the country playing on teams based upon skill levels.  The USTA League Program was born in 1980 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin under the leadership of Genie Gangler of whom I served alongside as a Sectional rating monitor.  In the second season of the league program the Western Section led the nation with more than 7,000 participants. In 2008 the association has over 30,000 players in adult, senior and mixed leagues and this does not include the junior leagues which came out of this movement.  This contributed substantially to the income of the USTA as league members spread through out the US and each were required to have USTA membership to participate.

In the early 90's onwards the best development for me would be the Player Development program from the lowest level of districts upwards to Elite. Most recently in the 2000's it would be the business marketing and revenue generation of the US Open which has made possible many additional programs benefiting the membership and hiring of a higher level of expertise in the senior management positions of the USTA.

Websites: in case you have missed a few recent postings.

US Open remembrances 1972 to1984 Part 2.

Recent video postings.
Arthur Ashe interview with Charlie Rose - 1992
US OPEN 2004 Federer def Hewitt (Part 3/5)
US Open 2006 Gladys Knight sings "America The Beautiful/God Bless America"
US Open tribute - Todd Martin Part 1/2
US OPEN 1990 Gabriela Sabatini def. Steffi Graf
US Open 1999 Serena Williams def. Martina Hingis
US Open 2004 Federer def. Agassi - (6/8)
US Open 1996 Sampras def. Corretja (1/2)
Ilie Nastase documentary
Jimmy Connors def. Rod Laver in Las Vegas, 1975

US Open 1976 Connors def. Borg at Forest Hills on clay

VIDEO: Jimmy Connors interview with Charlie Rose - 1995

Complete video listing: 1  ,  2

This US Open - 2 new video's posted each day of great former matches.

USTA - Remembrances - built brick by brick

I have know this massive organization as well run, and accomplishing good purposes for a wonderful goal.  The goal is the promotion pf tennis within the US.  What amazes me is that the USTA relies almost exclusively on unpaid volunteers to administer a massive organization of 700,000 members across the nation.  Everywhere that I travel worldwide I take what I have learned from my over three decades of working within that structure and apply it. I am very thankful for that.

Many USTA Presidents came from the Western Section (now known as the Midwest), of which I came from, during this period of time and instituted programs that are still with the USTA in this new millennium.  I was fortunate to have met and served under such notable figures from the Western who served as USTA Presidents as Stan Malless (75-76), Joseph Carrico (79-80), David Markin (89-90), J. Howard "Bumpy" Frazer (93-94).

We rebuilt the wall.-Nehemiah 4:6 NIV

As I read the book of Nehemiah in the Bible I am reminded of how the leader Nehemiah and his group of co-labors rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in the 5th century b.c.  Rebuilding the walls in a record 52 days - Nehemiah gave credit to the others. The USTA is very like this built program by program over a number of years by caring and unselfish builders.  Multitudes of peoples with good purposes and a common goal, working together and not taking credit for themselves has been very much what I believe the basis of the success for the USTA.

Website: in case you missed a posting.
US Open remembrances 1991 to 2006 Part 1.
US Open remembrances 1972 to1984 Part 2. (upcoming post!)
USTA - Remembrances - built brick by brick.
USTA - Remembrances history, league play, player development. (upcoming post!)
US Open - The good, the bad and the sad.
Weekly Verse - August 24, 2008 US Open Special Edition.
US Open - I will not be there.
Army/US Open/Arthur Ashe.

Video:
US Open 2007 Agassi def. Baghdatis
US Open 2006 Andre Agassi last match and retires from tennis
US Open 2005 Andre Agassi def. James Blake
US Open 2004 Elena Dementieva def. Jennifer Capriati
US Open 2000 Venus Williams def. Lindsay Davenport
US Open 1997 Chang def. Rios
US Open 1996 Sampras def. Corretja (coming soon!)
US Open 1988 Wilander def. Lendl
US Open 1984 McEnroe def.Connors part 1
US Open 1991 Connors def. Krickstein
US Open 1977 Guillermo Vilas def. Jimmy Connors Final Forest Hills on clay.
US Open 1971 Forest Hills Billie Jean King vs. Rosie Casels
Forest Hills 1929 women's tennis

Complete video listing: 1  ,  2

This US Open - 2 new video's posted each day of great former matches.

Weekly Verse - August 24, 2008 US Open Special Edition

MONDAY: [Men's/Women's 1st Round] - The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the Lord of Hosts - Haggai 2:9
Rejoice, child of God, our greatest days are just ahead!

TUESDAY: [Men's/Women's 1st Round] - Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. - Genesis 5:24
Enoch just concentrated on walking with God and pleasing Him - because when all has been said and done - what else matters?

WEDNESDAY: [Men's 1st/Women's 2nd Round] - David had served God’s purpose in his own generation. - Acts 13:36
You were born for a purpose. Your greatest challenge is to discover it and live in the center of it.

THURSDAY: [Men's/Women's 2nd Round] - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5
Voids and thirsts come to us all. How we fill them is what determines our ability to survive and to find happiness.

FRIDAY: [Men's 2nd/Women's 3rd Round] - The God of all comfort. - 2 Corinthians 1:3
No one understands like Jesus. His family rejected Him, His disciples forsook Him, and the world finally crucified Him.

SATURDAY: [Men's/Women's 3rd Round] - He (Jesus) was touched with the feeling of our infirmities...and that He was...in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. - Hebrews 4:15
He knows when you feel that nothing you do is ever enough; He knows that besides being a athlete - you're still a person. He knows, He understands, and He invites you to come to Him today.

SUNDAY: [Men's 3rd/Women's 4th Round] - Love...it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:6-8
"Come on, dad, let’s play darts. I'll throw, and you shout "Wonderful!" You may smile, but we tend to become what the most important people in our lives think of us.

MONDAY: [Men's/Women's 4th Round] - Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging. - Hebrew 10:25
There are enough critics in the world; what we need is more cheer-leaders.

TUESDAY: [Men's 4th/Women's Quarterfinal] - Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of all peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:9
No matter what we teach our children, they insist on behaving just like their parents! What a sobering thought!

WEDNESDAY: [Men's/Women's Quarterfinal] - Neither do we need letters of endorsement...You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. - 2 Corinthians 3:2
You may teach what you know, but you can only reproduce what you are. The most valuable gift you can give anybody is a consistent example, and a faith in God that you live by at all times.

THURSDAY: [Men's Quarterfinal/Mixed Doubles Final//Women's Doubles Semifinal] - Christ who suffered for you is your example... never told a lie, never answered back when insulted...He left His case in the hands of God Who always judges fairly. - 1 Peter 2:21-23
We all have to learn how to discern the ‘spirit’ behind the words. Is it gentle or judgmental?

FRIDAY: [Women's Semifinals/Men's Doubles Final] - If a brother sins against you, go to him privately. - Matthew 18:15
It’s hard for any of us to receive criticism, so watch your attitude toward the critic. Bitterness will do more damage to you than any criticism levelled against you. Bitterness is shown by speaking to others about a person.

SATURDAY: [Men's Semifinals ] - Remember...the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me (Jesus), they will also persecute you. - John 15:20
If you’re making a difference, expect criticism; and remember, you’re in some very distinguished company.

SUNDAY: [Women's Singles Final/Women's Doubles Final/Men's Singles Final] - John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called Me...a friend of the riffraff. - Matthew 11:18 (The Message version)
Criticism is just proof that your influence is being felt. Your example will do more to change peoples minds than all their arguments.

---

Websites: in case you have missed a few recent postings.
_{^{http://dailyverse.multiply.com}}

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Aug. 24th: Coming soon! USTA - A little history, rankings, leagues, player development.
Aug 17th: US Open - I will not be there.
Aug. 7th:  Army/US Open/Arthur Ashe

http://bobkraft.multiply.com/
Aug 21st: US Open - The good, the bad and the sad.

US Open - The good, the bad and the sad.

It is great to stay home in Hong Kong instead of going to the US Open in New York City. I guess that is how I know that not making that trip was correct.

The Good -
Morning Star New York Church has been a great to work with and the members and especially Pastor Ron Lewis are greatly refreshing to me personally.

Always leaving from Hong Kong on August 22nd, the day after my son's Joshua Kraft's Bday. See this weeks Bday photo here.

The $2.95 Breakfast at the diner on the corner of W. 52nd and 10th Ave.

I know that God can and will do something for the US Open based upon our prayers.

The Bad -
Jet lag - Hong Kong to New York 12 hour time difference over a 16 day trip; 7 to 9 days to get over the lag each journey; exhausted all the way into the middle of the second week of matches;  return to Hong Kong and 7 days later on the tennis court coaching for my own program.  Brutal!

Sleep on the hardwood floor of a church in Times Square.  That is the only place that has offered housing for me.  No pillow, no blanket, just the floor. Tough!  Sleepless in Manhattan!

I get in every night from ministering at the US Open from 11pm to 2am and I am up at 6:45 am every morning with a prayer meeting taking place where I sleep.  Great for prayer - bad for sleep.
Read more on the pros's jet lag from Beijing here.

The price of airfares have skyrocketed.   A few years ago the price was $600 round trip and now it is about $2,000.

Only one local church has expressed an interest in outreach to the pro players.  This is by far the lowest number of any cities that I travel to.

The outreach to the players has been the least effective of any other location worldwide that I have gone to.

The Sad -
I have seen the most heartbreaking situations for players, staff and their families than at any other tournament and no concern from others. Terminal illness's and unwanted pregnancies are just two areas I have witnessed.

The need for a Chaplain and customer service course for the staff is clearly evident to me.

Websites: in case you have missed a few recent postings.
_{^{Link to:}}

Aug. 24th:  Coming soon!  USTA - A little history, rankings, leagues, player development.
Aug 17th: US Open - I will not be there.
Aug. 7th:  Army/US Open/Arthur Ashe

http://dailyverse.multiply.com
http://bobkraft.multiply.com/

US Open - I will not be there.

Dear Friends of this ministry - I will NOT be attending next week's 2008 US Open.  I have attended every Grand Slam tournament (Australian, French, Wimbledon and US Open) since 2002.  It will be difficult to see the players only on television, I will be in prayer and I believe that it is the correct time to make this decision.  I have replaced the US with the following: Tokyo (September 29 to October 7); Perth (January 2 - 9 ); Sydney (January 10 - 17); and in addition with my prior tournaments of the WTA Hong Kong exhibition (January 1-2) and the Australian Open (January 18 to February 2).

I will post after the US Open more on this.  In the meantime play well, keep the faith and I will do my best from this distance to continue to support you (ie. prayer, emails of encouragement and answering emails from you).

US Open - I will not be there.

Dear Friends of this ministry - I will NOT be attending next week's 2008 US Open.  I have attended every Grand Slam tournament (Australian, French, Wimbledon and US Open) since 2002.  I am sad and in prayer, and I feel it is the correct time to make this decision.  I have replaced the US with the following: Tokyo (September 29 to October 7); Perth (January 2 - 9 ); Sydney (January 10 - 17); and in addition with my prior tournaments of the WTA Hong Kong exhibition (January 1-2) and the Australian Open (January 18 to February 2).

I will post after the US Open more on this.  In the meantime play well, keep the faith and I will do my best from this distance to continue to support you (ie. prayer, emails of encouragement and answering emails from you).

Weekly Verse - August 18, 2008

MONDAY:  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God... it will be given to him. - James 1:5
A stress-filled mind always makes it harder to hear what God's saying to you.  So just calm down and wait in His presence.

TUESDAY:  Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yes he shall give delight to your soul. - Proverbs 29:17
If a corrected child gives you rest, an uncorrected one will give you no rest!

WEDNESDAY:  He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. - Proverbs 13:24
Child abuse is reprehensible - but so is child-neglect!  Without discipline your children are heading for heartache.

THURSDAY:  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. - Hebrew 12:11
It's hard to do when your time with your children is so limited; but their future is in your hands.

FRIDAY:  For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Until we decide to listen to the teacher, learn the lessons thoroughly, and pass the tests - we'll where we are!

SATURDAY:  Your (God's) Kingdom come. Your (God's) will be done. - Matthew 6:10
What's important to God must become all-important to us.

SUNDAY:  Live in peace with each other...encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other...Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:13-18
Now there's something to really think and pray about today!

Websites: in case you have missed a few recent postings.
http://dailyverse.multiply.com
Aug. 14th: Tennis history - 1970's to early 80's - Why it is important for today!
Aug. 7th:  Army/US Open/Arthur Ashe
Jul. 21st:  Weekly Verse

http://www.tennisministry.org

http://bobkraft.multiply.com
Aug. 12th: Return to Hong Kong - A few remembrances from Hawaii
Jul. 15th: Hawaii + RandR = rest and relaxation
Jul. 14th: Wimbledon finals