Since her childhood, Judy Newman, the tennis director at La Madrona Swim & Racquet Club and coach of the Scotts Valley High girls team, dreamed of playing tennis at the highest level. Today, she lives that dream.
Wearing the American flag on her jacket, Newman represented the United States in the International Tennis Federation Senior World Championships in the 45-year-old division in San Diego last month. There were more than 1,000 players from 35 countries at this prestigious tennis tournament. She played in both the singles and doubles events.
“You have to train hard, enjoy competing and dream big,” said Newman, who has traveled the world and played alongside some of the world’s greatest tennis players.
“Tennis is all about balance — knowing when to take risks and when to rope it in. You can learn a lot about life from the game.”
Born in 1962, Newman is the second of four children and comes from a tennis-playing family, in which competing on the courts is a way of life. She learned to play tennis when she was 5 years old and was hooked.
“I loved playing against my older brother,” Newman said. “I was born with a competitive spirit.”
She won her first tournament at age 9 and became one of the top junior players in Northern California.
Newman, an honors student, was an extremely focused child, working hard in the classroom and on the courts. After graduating from Harbor High in 1980, she headed to University of San Diego on a tennis scholarship. Newman excelled and turned pro. Within four years, she was on the USTA tour. She played in two grand slams — the U.S. Open in 1989 and the Australian Open in 1990.
“It was really exciting and a great experience,” Newman said of playing the tour. “I played in many satellite tournaments in 30 countries.”
But tennis wasn’t always her top priority. In 1990, Newman attended John F. Kennedy University, where she earned her master’s degree in sports psychology. She stopped playing tournament tennis in 1995 to focus on being a mother. Her son, Cody, was born in 1995, followed by her daughter, Desi, in 1998.
“Then, four years ago, Tracy Houk, my doubles partner, dragged me back to play a tournament,” Newman said. “I was nervous, but we won. I still had my game and began playing in national tournaments again.”
Shortly after, Newman was faced with a series of tragedies: Her beloved older brother, John Jr. — a successful dentist who suffered from depression — committed suicide, and she lost brother-in-law Dave Stockford to cancer two years later. Newman was also divorced last year.
Despite her losses, she rose above her pain to help others. Since her brother’s suicide, Newman’s family has hosted a Memorial Day tennis tournament in his honor. The tournament is a charity event to promote awareness and fight taboos associated with suicide and depression.
Newman is also passionate about helping her students at La Madrona and Scotts Valley High improve their game.
“I love to see them improve and enjoy their tennis,” she said. “My specialty is teaching players how to compete and think on the court.”
One of Newman’s goals is to win a national mother-son tourney. Now 16, Cody Rakela is ranked in the top 100 players nationally for his age group and is No. 5 in Northern California.
“I think Cody and I have the potential to become the best mother-son combo team in the country,” Newman said. “I went to these same tournaments as a junior player, then as a coach of junior players, and now as a parent. I feel like I’ve come full circle. One of the biggest compliments you can receive is to watch your kids follow in your footsteps.”
Today, she is keeping her dream alive.
“I get to play the game at the highest level I can and at any age and share that passion with others,” she said.
Her next goal is to qualify for the Senior World Championships in Turkey in 2013.
“That really motivates me,” Newman said.
– Sandi Olson of Scotts Valley is a writer, speaker and teacher. She writes about interesting people in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. Email her at [email protected].
