“On Court with USPTA,” the cable TV show produced by the United States Professional Tennis Association, received the Award of Distinction in the 2009 Communicator Awards competition. The award-winning episode “Creating a Successful Doubles Team,” which aired on the Tennis Channel, won in the category of programs/news – sports. This was also the first episode of “On Court with USPTA” in high-definition.

“On Court” is a 20-minute instructional show featuring USPTA-certified professionals as guest instructors. The USPTA became the first tennis-teaching organization ever to produce and air an educational television series on playing and teaching tennis on the Tennis Channel in 2003. Since then, more than 55 shows have been produced that provide instruction about technique, strategy and other facets of the game, such as fun and fitness.

“Creating a Successful Doubles Team” focuses on how to form a fantastic doubles team and key shots that most doubles players should have in their arsenal. The episode, which features Brett Hobden, a USPTA Professional who has trained many top players, has tips along with examples from the pro tour and excellent illustrations. The key topics covered include how to find a doubles partner, how to help your partner, critical shots for doubles and the importance of communication.

Joseph Birkmire is the show’s director and editor, H.R. Topham is video editor/videographer, and Nick Warwick is videographer/video editor/graphic designer. Other production team members are Rick Bostrom, Scott Bucic, Julie Myers, Shawna Riley, Fred Viancos and executive producer Tim Heckler.

Check local listings for the Tennis Channel availability and visit www.usptatv.com for show times for “On Court with USPTA.” DVDs of “Creating a Successful Doubles Team” and all other “On Court” episodes are also available for purchase online at www.usprotennisshop.com.

The Award of Distinction is presented for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement. The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from media, communications, advertising and marketing firms. This year over 7,000 entries were submitted.