Tennis-X Writer Vach Wins Tennis Reporting Honor
Posted on March 31, 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JACKSONVILLE, FL, March 31, 2006 -- Tennis-X.com senior writer Richard Vach has been honored with a first-place finish in the "Best Hard News" reporting category for 2005 in the 7th Annual U.S. Tennis Writers' Association Writing Contest.
The award was for the story, "Doubles, Doubles toil and Trouble" printed in Tennis Week magazine regarding the controversial ATP doubles rule changes implemented in 2005.
"A horrifying glimpse into the abyss of experimental doubles competition as the ATP attempted to reform it without adequate consultation among its most important members," stated contest judges Robin Blackburn-Ellis, who administers the National Magazine awards at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, and John Martin, an adjunct professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and a former tennis editor. "The article contains a wide range of comments and shows a resourcefulness and commitment to examining a serious rift in the world of professional tennis. A fine example of enterprise reporting and analysis."
A dozen writers were honored, with 1st through 3rd place finishes in Feature Story, Game Story, Hard News, and Column/Commentary. Among the media outlets honored were Tennis Week magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune and ESPN.com.
"Hard news and investigative reporting is important in these times when the so-called caretakers of the game are making poor decisions, and tennis media coverage is suffering in the U.S.," Vach said. "This award is an honor considering the number of great U.S. tennis journalists."
JACKSONVILLE, FL, March 31, 2006 -- Tennis-X.com senior writer Richard Vach has been honored with a first-place finish in the "Best Hard News" reporting category for 2005 in the 7th Annual U.S. Tennis Writers' Association Writing Contest.
The award was for the story, "Doubles, Doubles toil and Trouble" printed in Tennis Week magazine regarding the controversial ATP doubles rule changes implemented in 2005.
"A horrifying glimpse into the abyss of experimental doubles competition as the ATP attempted to reform it without adequate consultation among its most important members," stated contest judges Robin Blackburn-Ellis, who administers the National Magazine awards at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, and John Martin, an adjunct professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and a former tennis editor. "The article contains a wide range of comments and shows a resourcefulness and commitment to examining a serious rift in the world of professional tennis. A fine example of enterprise reporting and analysis."
A dozen writers were honored, with 1st through 3rd place finishes in Feature Story, Game Story, Hard News, and Column/Commentary. Among the media outlets honored were Tennis Week magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune and ESPN.com.
"Hard news and investigative reporting is important in these times when the so-called caretakers of the game are making poor decisions, and tennis media coverage is suffering in the U.S.," Vach said. "This award is an honor considering the number of great U.S. tennis journalists."