I was born in Queens, New York in 1964. I attended Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, New York, and later attended Fordham University in the Bronx, New York on a tennis scholarship. I’m married to Dick Stockton and together we have 4 kids and 3 dogs: Sarah, Cole, J.R. and Spencer; the dogs being, Cody, Floyd and Daisy Mae. I have two adorable nephews and nieces: P.J., Matthew, Malia and Noalani.
I’ve been teaching tennis since I was 14, helping in my dad’s junior programs every summer. I’ve taught at the Bronxville Field Club, Bronxville, NY, Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY, Manursing Island Club, Rye, New York, T Bar M Racquet Club, Dallas, Texas, The Ritz Carlton, Jupiter, Florida, Village of Wellington Tennis Center, Wellington, Florida, The Tennis Club of the Palm Beaches, (K.A.P.T.A. junior tennis program), West Palm Beach, Florida.
Interestingly enough, I’m married to a former professional tennis player, my father is a pro, my mother is a pro and my uncle was a professional tennis player as well. Of course, none of our kids plays tennis (field hockey, guitar, baseball and baseball….go figure).
I am a baseball fanatic, and you can force me to watch football, hockey and sometimes golf. I would rather hang out with dogs than anyone else, and I will always brake for turtles and any other animals blindly crossing a street. I speak Portuguese and passable Spanish. My favorite shot is my backhand, my worst is my overhead. My tennis idols are Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, but my most favorite player and the one that I admire the most is my husband, Dick Stockton. My dad, Jaime de Carvalho has shaped me not only as a player, but as a pro as well. He is the gold standard by which I judge all other teaching pros. My mom, Dawn de Carvalho has taught me what “being competitive” really means. My best friend is my sister Joy Scalisi. My kids, JR and Spencer humble me every day and remind me why Pinot Grigio is such a life-saver….haha! Without these people, I would not have accomplished anything that I have in my life.
I believe that first and foremost that tennis should be fun. I also feel that there are some universal standards a pro should stick with when teaching the game. For example, the “less is more” philosophy is a good guideline. Trying to show a 5 year old kid,or a rank beginner how to hit an open stance forehand with topspin is silly. Not everyone learns the same way. It’s the pro’s job to figure out to reach a student. Someone once told me that although we’re all taught how to write the same way, our signatures are all different.
Tennis is not an easy game to learn, so I strongly feel that there needs to be a way to get a student to be comfortable with making mistakes, and eventually, self-correcting them (tennis does not allow on-court coaching, so most of what a player does out on the court is up to them to figure out).
I also feel that there are some universal standards a pro should stick with when teaching the game. For example, the “less is more” philosophy is a good standard.
I also strongly feel that the fundamentals are the most important aspect of the game that I can share with any student. If the foundation is solid, it’s easy to build on it. Of course I also feel that there needs to be room for the newer methods, as the game and the equipment used has changed dramatically over the years.
I try to make the learning process interesting. I try to teach with drills, games and a little bit of “life” thrown in. Sometimes it’s more about therapy then it is about a forehand, and that’s OK.
USPTA Professional, Level P1
Proud recipient of the 2013, “I WANT TO BE LIKE COACH LIZ” Award
Wellington Christian Girls Varsity Tennis Team High School Coach
What is a level P1 Professional?
Level P1 is the highest tested rating possible and is achieved by scoring in the 90th percentile on the USPTA Certification Exam. Tennis professionals must have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience. Professional 1 members are commonly considered for director of tennis or head tennis professional job opportunities. They are able to develop lesson programs, direct activities, manage pro shop operations and oversee a tennis facility.
As a tennis pro, I find that a lesson is not just about the physical and the mental aspects of the game, a lot of what I do as a teaching pro is discussing and analyzing what the touring professionals do, and how that relates to my students.
My blog, “Down the Line” evolved from discussions I’ve had with my students and fellow teaching pros. We’d watch the US Open and dissect Nadal’s performance the next day on our own court.
Sometimes I blog about anything but tennis. Sometimes I write about the human element of the game, for example, an emotional on court break-down; a hideous dress worn by a player; or a silly comment made by a talking head. And you know I’m always looking for a way to work in a baseball reference or entire blog about pitching….I hope you enjoy reading. And please comment!
