CARLSBAD, Calif. — Tennis anyone? World TeamTennis is returning to the Omni La Costa Resort on Sunday, March 1.
"Look down, up, throw it," said Carlos Silva.
He was trying to teach me how to serve.
Ever since Carlos Silva can remember, tennis was his sport.
"Junior tennis, high school tennis, [then] college tennis," said Carlos.
"How much do you love tennis?"I asked him.
He responded, "It's taught me everything. It's taught me how to be on time. It's taught me how to be responsible. It's taught me how to work hard. It's been a big part of my life."
After playing at Boston College, Carlos turned pro for one summer.
"Luckily I earned one pro paycheck so I could go. I lost the match and went and collected a paycheck, which makes you a professional," said Carlos.
He said he never could master his back hand, so he went back to school to get a master's degree.
"This is a Cinderella story because now, you're the CEO," I said.
He told me, "Yeah, look - what goes around comes around in a positive way."
World TeamTennis started in 1974 and has showcased the the world's best players. Building on the 2019 World TeamTennis season in which its champion was decided on the last point of the WTT Final, WTT is serving up a new twist for its 45th season with a spectacular all-star event featuring many of the best American tennis players.
"You know, I just mentioned Evert and Connors. You know Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Rod Laver all played and you've got Maria Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers - the most winning team in doubles history - and the list just goes on and on," said Carlos.
World TeamTennis will showcase much of its top talent from its 2019 season and celebrities from the tennis and entertainment industries when it introduces the "WTT Celebrity All-Star Match."
Five-time Grand Slam singles champion and World TeamTennis veteran Maria Sharapova and 2019 WTT stars Bob and Mike Bryan, Sam Querrey, Taylor Fritz, CoCo Vandeweghe, Madison Keys, Ryan Harrison and Taylor Townsend (2018 WTT Female MVP) are set to play in the WTT Celebrity All-Star Match.
Before they take the court made famous by the San Diego Aviators, Carlos wanted to break a sweat and break down my game.
"Are you supposed to hit the ball?" I said while whiffing at a serve.
Carlos said, "You are supposed to hit the ball."
The World TeamTennis Organization relocated its headquarters from New York to Rancho Santa Fe because San Diego loves tennis that much.
"I mean, even walking into La Costa this morning, the tennis courts are filled. Everyone is out here playing - young to old, men, women, kids, - everyone's out here hitting tennis balls. It's such a great feeling that there is so much love for tennis out here," said Carlos.
Although the event is sold out, CBS Sports, the official television partner of World TeamTennis, will air a one-hour WTT special on April 4 to highlight the best moments from the event.