Player Profiles – Jane McNitt and Wendy Shpiz

Jane McNitt

Residence: Winnetka, IL
Family: Husband, Peter; children: Peter Jr. (19), Johnny (17), Megan (15)
Profession: Part-time platform tennis professional
Hobbies off the courts: Swimming, biking, rollerblading and skiing
Awards/Accolades within the sport: Winner of Chicago Charities (‘05, ’10, ’12) Illinois State, Midwesterns, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kalamazoo, and Illinois State Mixed tournaments

Wendy Shpiz

Residence: Winnetka, IL
Family: Husband, Dave; children: Jack (4), Charlie (3), Mollie (1)
Profession: Marketing Director – Nike Tennis Camps
Hobbies off the courts: Spend as much time with my family as possible, skiing and running
Awards/Accolades: 1992 Illinois State Tennis Champion. All-American at Duke University. On the pro tennis tour for three years and made Top 250 in the world.

How long have you two been playing as a team and how did your team come to be?

Shpiz: This was our first tournament playing as a team. We have practiced many times together over the last year and simply thought it would be fun to partner up for a tournament!
McNitt: As Wendy said, we have been playing together in practice matches for the past year and just thought it would be fun to try a tournament together

What strengths have you found that you each have that make the team stronger?

Shpiz: Jane may be better at answering this, but I would say our games complement and feed each other’s strength For example, her aggressive net play, quick hands and overall court sense takes pressure off and allows me to be more aggressive both when serving and returning.
McNitt: Wendy has tremendous racquet skills and is an exceptional athlete. I try to be aggressive and capitalize on all the opportunities that her strong serve and “big” forehand bring our way. And we both love to compete!

How did you feel about going into the Charities as an unseeded team?

McNitt: It’s always great to be the underdog. There are no expectations.

How long have you two been playing as a team and how did your team come to be?

Shpiz: This was our first tournament playing as a team. We have practiced many times together over the last year and simply thought it would be fun to partner up for a tournament!
McNitt: As Wendy said, we have been playing together in practice matches for the past year and just thought it would be fun to try a tournament together

What strengths have you found that you each have that make the team stronger?

Shpiz: Jane may be better at answering this, but I would say our games complement and feed each other’s strength For example, her aggressive net play, quick hands and overall court sense takes pressure off and allows me to be more aggressive both when serving and returning.
McNitt: Wendy has tremendous racquet skills and is an exceptional athlete. I try to be aggressive and capitalize on all the opportunities that her strong serve and “big” forehand bring our way. And we both love to compete!

How did you feel about going into the Charities as an unseeded team?

McNitt: It’s always great to be the underdog. There are no expectations.

What is your practice routine — are you both out aggressively training for tournament play or are you more casual about your approach to the sport?

McNitt: Definitely a casual approach! We play together once a week if we are lucky!
Shpiz: Ha! I’m just happy to get out on the court whenever possible these days! When I play, it’s a bonus.

Who were your toughest competitors for the Chicago Charities Tournament and were they the team that you initially thought going in would give you the most challenge?

Shpiz: I found all the teams to be challenging and enjoyed playing a variety of styles. We competed well all weekend and dug deep to win some key points.
McNitt: Each team we faced presented different challenges and opportunities. The competition was great!

Do you have plans to play more tournaments together this year? Perhaps the Nationals?

Shpiz: We haven’t thought that far out. If someone will take my kids for the weekend, then maybe.