Larry Greenspon and Paul Lederman Lead SunCourt Sports Toward a New Era of Tennis and Community

Tennis enthusiastic, cause-driven Larry Greenspon is using his involvement with the success record of the Israel Tennis and Education Center as a model for SunCourt Sports. The former International Chairperson Greenspon wants all kids to experience valuing the respect of everyone and sharing fellowship with others. Greenspon has expressed that he believes that through the game of tennis, lives can be changed in positive ways. “Tennis teaches children to be tolerant of all people. We can do it at SunCourt, too." 

Photo credit: Israel Tennis & Education Centers

There appears to be strong participation excitement for The Larry Greenspon Sports Complex, which will be the home of SunCourt Sports, a premier tennis, pickleball, and fitness complex. Also involved with the SunCourt sporting complex is Southwest Florida notable, Ron Shugar, who is making his contribution to the aquatics program.

The SunCourt Sports supporters have expressed boundless joy in having long-time noted tennis-contributor, Paul Lederman, as its Director. For the 62-year-old Southern Californian, this will be his third “start-up” tennis facility. His long-term success at The Vinoy Hotel, recognized home of the WTA in Saint Petersburg, established training and sparing opportunities with Chris Evert, Pam Shriver, Gabriela Sabatini,  Mary Pierce, Jennifer Capriati, Virgina Wade, Evonne Gollgagong,  Dannielle Collins, Wendy Turnbull, Vitas Gerulaitis.  With a roster of former world number-ones, Slams winners, and tennis celebrities assembled a myriad of tennis stories.  When she was young, Collins and Lederman would train for two plus hours and then shop at the Nike Outlet. She would touch and sample all of the merchandise and exit with one wrist-ban.

Lederman was introduced to the game by his 14-year-old brother Ron who was five years older.  Big brother would hit balls with baby brother on the driveway at the house.  Soon Paul received one of the greatest tennis opportunities that everyone would cherish.  He was enrolled at Ceasar Palace in Huntington Beach, California where the one of the game’s best legends was coaching.  Richard Alonso “Pancho” Gonzales exposed the young inspiring tennis “want to be”  with a no nonsense approach to the game. Meeting anyone for the first time, Pancho might look at you and then say “wrong shoes, wrong racquet. Tomorrow we will make sure that you have the correct racquet and shoes.”  Pancho did things unconventionally.  He cut off a half inch of his racquet grip. He believed that it were necessary to have contraction for better control and then extend as striking the ball.  The two-time US Open champion was known as the “elegant power server”. The American-Mexican legend was winning so many matches in short times, that some of the professional tennis executives explored moving the service line back three feet to neutralize his serve. 

Another golden tennis opportunity for Paul Lederman was meeting Bobby Riggs, former world number one ranked singles player, and two-time US Open Champion. Lederman was invited to join one of strongest senior men’s groups in the United States.  The consortium, which included USTA Golden Ball Champions, would gather on a regular basis for scheduled match play at the Lindborg  Racquet Club in Huntington Beach. The group included Riggs. In 1973 entertaining tennis-promoter Riggs at age 54 challenged the world number one ranked Billie Jean King to a Battle of the Sexes. The match was played in Houston at the Astrodome. It drew a record worldwide TV viewership of 90 million.  The record still stands!  Here is one of Paul’s early harmless encounters with the renown Riggs. Bobby was still playing on an expired-time court.  Paul was signed up to have the court. Riggs said to Lederman if you want the court let’s play a challenge match with a wager for it. So, they did. Riggs and Lederman were able to continue their amiable companionship. 

Photo credit: SunCourt Sports

While doing his professional club management, Paul found time to work on his own playing game and time to work on and oversee the court maintenance.  Twice his club receive the National Court of the Year Award.  Also, Paul was able to earn the number one singles ranking in the Men’s 20 year & over and the 25 year & over ranking in the USTA Florida ranking.

It has been more than a three-decade friendship with Paul and this tennis pro – tennis media guy.  Together we hosted the 2001 USTA Women’s Challenger.  IMG called me and asked would we grant 14-year-old Maria Sharapova her first “Wild Card” into a professional tournament. History continued as coaching geniuses Nick Bollettiri and Robert Landsdorp were in stands scouting Sharapova.  We launched Maria’s career! Our 2001 tournament included additional historic teenager 1999 Wimbledon Semifinalists:  Alex Stevenson and Mirjana Luccic.  And the closing match saw our singles champion Virgina Ruana Pasquel win the crown and just over a year later become the number one ranked doubles player in the world.  Paul and I will be working on following the growth at SunCourt Sports.

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Written by: Dave "Koz" Kozlowski. Kozlowski is one of the RSPA (formerly USPTA)first 17 Master Professionals in the world. His television show was previously broadcast on The Tennis Channel and he was named the USTA Broadcaster of the Year. Top photo credit: