February 2026 President’s Letter
February always brings a renewed sense of momentum. The holidays are behind us, the new season is underway, and the energy across senior men’s tennis feels stronger than ever. As I write my first letter as President of the National Men’s Tennis Association, I want to begin with gratitude.
First, on behalf of our entire membership, I want to thank Steve Duffel for his seven years of dedicated leadership. Steve, along with Larry Turville, Mas Kimball, Ed Trost, Jerry Thomas, and our first President Jimmy Parker, helped build this Association from the ground up. Your steady hand, your commitment and your passion for improving senior men’s tennis have shaped the NMTA into what it is today. We are all beneficiaries of your service.
I also want to recognize our outgoing Board Members, Tony Dawson, Larry Eichenbaum, and Tim Garcia. Your expertise in marketing, finance, and law has strengthened our foundation and guided us through important decisions. We are grateful for the time, insight, and heart you invested in this organization.
At the same time, I’m pleased to welcome our new Board Members, Keith Richardson, Jim Oppenlander, and Tom Hebrank. Each brings deep tennis knowledge and significant professional experience, and I’m confident they will help us continue building a strong, modern, and member‑focused NMTA.
As we look ahead, it’s important to reaffirm why we exist.
Our primary goal is to increase interest, raise awareness of the health benefits from participation, improve the quality of senior events, and provide support to other established charities serving underprivileged children and seniors in the tennis community. We also aim to provide a forum for communicating with members, for exchanging information and ideas amongst members, and to provide input to the United States Tennis Association that would be of benefit to senior men’s tennis.
That mission guides every decision we make, and it will continue to shape our priorities in 2026.
I’m happy to report that the tournament year is already off to a terrific start. We’ve completed four national events, nearly thirty regional and local tournaments, and an NMTA Team Series event in Miramar Beach, FL—a strong early‑season schedule that reflects the enthusiasm of our players and the dedication of the tournament directors. This level of activity is exactly what strengthens our community and elevates the competitive landscape for senior men’s tennis.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting tournament calendar on the horizon. Our upcoming Level 2 events include:
February 23 – March 1 in St. Petersburg, FL (Registration Closes Feb 13th)
April 8–12 in Columbus, GA (NMTAJimmy Parker Classic)
Our Level 1 season begins in March with the 70s and 75s divisions competing in Houston, Texas. We encourage all members to participate, support these events, and help continue building momentum across the country.
Thank you for your support, your participation, and your belief in what we are building together. I’m honored to serve as your President, and I look forward to a year of continued growth, collaboration, and progress.
Warm regards,
Ed Wagner
President, National Men’s Tennis Association
