Charlie Owens, Country Club of Landfall, North Carolina
Charlie Owens is the Head Tennis Professional Emeritus at the Country Club of Landfall, a golf, racquets, and social club set alongside the stunning marshes of coastal Wilmington, North Carolina.
A former pro player from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Charlie reached World No. 36 in 1975 and earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” for his athletic dives and rolls. He defeated tennis legends Vitas Gerulaitis, Cliff Drysdale, and Brad Gilbert, among others; at the 1974 US Open, Charlie and doubles partner Mike Estep upset third seeds Arthur Ashe and Roscoe Tanner in front of a packed center-court crowd.
Landfall member Brandi M. said this about Charlie: “Charlie’s a tennis legend, but what’s truly special is the way he treats people, the laughter he brings, and the lasting impact he has on everyone lucky enough to know him. I play every day mostly because of Charlie and the sense of community he's created. He means more to many of us than he’ll ever know.”
Charlie has been coaching adults and kids for over 30 years. Here are his top 10 tips for club players…
Improve by watching the pros. Mimicry is a great way to improve the fundamentals of strokes and footwork. Every year during the Grand Slams, I notice everyone suddenly plays better just from watching the pros on TV and emulating their technique.
You're only as good as your second serve. Recreational players generally don’t have a controlled second serve: someone will hit a great first serve, then pop a baby lob on the second just to get it in. Differentiate yourself by developing a consistent second serve with spin or kick.
Stop swinging at volleys. The key to a good volley is not swinging; instead, meet the ball with your racquet. This is more related to catching than throwing: you’d never swing your arm to catch a ball; you stick your hand out and wait for it. Do the same with your racquet face: keep your wrist firm and think of the racquet as a catcher's mitt. Then volleys become very easy, even on fast balls.
In doubles, always know who will take the middle ball. One thing everyone can do better in doubles is moving together as a team, especially at the net. Both partners should be clear on who takes the middle ball in every situation. One way to fix this is to practice playing on both sides of the court, calling and covering the middle ball, until it’s second nature as a team.
Hydrate the night before. In the summer, focus on hydration the evening and morning before your match, so you don’t have to overfill your tummy while you’re playing. While you’re playing, take small sips of room-temperature water. When it’s ice cold, you absorb it more slowly.
How can players stay focused and positive under pressure?
Give positive directions. When telling yourself what you need to do on court, keep it positive; for example, replace “Don’t miss my forehand!” with “I will hit a strong forehand.”
Visualize a friendly face. Imagine your best friend’s face on the person you’re playing—or someone you can beat easily! Positive imagery can really help instill confidence.
Develop a between-point ritual. Watch the pros and steal their reset routines to shift your focus from the last point to the next. I like to turn my back to the net and do a few jumps.
Smile. Smiling releases positive energy. I also like to pick a happy or upbeat song and replay it in my mind while I’m on court.
Don’t let your eyes wander. To stay focused during a match, just look at three things: the ground, your racquet, and the tennis ball.
What’s the best piece of tennis advice you’ve ever received?
From Welby van Horn, a former pro player, I learned the importance of balance: a solid stance, knees bent, a relaxed arm, and readiness to swing fluidly. Even though the professional game is more dynamic now, the key remains the same: stay smooth and fluid, get into the right position, be ready for the ball, and finish your stroke correctly every time.
Do you have a tennis mantra?
If you’re not having fun and you’re not getting paid, don’t play! When you’re having fun on court, then everyone else is, too. That’s the way I try to live my life: stay positive, have fun, and enjoy the game.
What’s special about the Country Club of Landfall?
I visited Landfall in 1998 for a tennis exhibition and stopped by the pro shop, where I met a lovely saleslady named Valerie who became my wife two years later…so you could say I fell in love with the place! Beyond being a fabulous club for tennis, golf, swimming, and boating, Landfall's members are incredible: they care deeply for me, each other, and everyone who works here.
Charlie on center court, US Open, 1974
Earning the nickname “Charlie Hustle!”
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