Much has been written about the "void" of Hispanics in the world of professional tennis.

In a September 2009 interview with HispanicSportsBusiness following the crowning of Argentine Juan Martín Del Potro as the 2009 U.S. Open Men's singles champion, Marco López, senior director of the Hispanic group at sponsorship consultancy Relay Worldwide, suggested that it will likely take the emergence of a first-generation Mexican-American for the United States Tennis Association to begin speaking directly to U.S. Hispanics.

To get there takes initiatives designed to encourage tennis play among kids and teens in the Latino community.

A November 20 workshop in Pembroke Pines, Florida organized by GTC Tennis Consultancy, in cooperation with the USTA's diversity and player development teams, may provide a spark toward bringing more Hispanics to the tennis court.

Specifically, the third annual event will address how Hispanic coaches can impact the development of tennis in the U.S. - in both the Latino community and on a national level.

Gustavo Granitto, who heads GTC and devotes his time to the development and advising of juniors-level tennis clubs and academies, says Hispanic tennis coaches have much to offer the sport. For one, they can encourage participation among Latino youth. Second, they can provide non-Latino tennis professionals the proper tools and perspective on how to attract Hispanics.

From 1991 to 2005, Granitto served as a development officer for the International Tennis Federation in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. He believes his experience in Latin America can be applied to producing Hispanic tennis talent. At the same time, "bringing the multicultural experience to tennis" can only help in encouraging Latino youth participation.

Among those participating in the workshop is Ricardo Icaza, a former top 50 player and captain of the Ecuador Davis Cup team for seven years. Icaza presently oversees all tournament scheduling and travel arrangements at the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The coaches workshop has until now focused on South Florida, an area rich with tennis clinics, academies and player development programs. An influx of affluent South Americans from nations such as Argentina has helped to expose more Latinos in the region to tennis.

Granitto says he's ready to expand beyond the Sunshine State, and in 2010 will hold similar workshops in Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and a city in Texas. Furthermore, he hopes to stage a national event in October 2010 to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month.

"I want Hispanic coaches to be able to increase the attraction of this sport to Latinos," Granitto says. "They are very passionate about tennis, and can share this passion with their students. It is necessary to do more - by far - with player development among Latinos."

· For more information on the third Hispanic Coaches Workshop in the United States, please visit GTC Tennis' website.

FROM THE HISPANICSPORTSBUSINESS ARCHIVES:

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