Martina Doust had the opportunity this year to represent Tennis Nashville in the 46th annual Music City Tennis Invitational. It was an experience that she thoroughly enjoyed; meeting so many tennis pros, tennis enthusiasts and tennis fans, both young and old. Meetings and preparations started mid-March and continued until the final week leading up to this year's tournament, which was the weekend of June 14-16. The tournament is held every year at the Vanderbilt University Currey Tennis Center, home of The Vanderbilt Commodores.
The MCTI benefits the TJ Martell Foundation (founded in 1975), the music industry's leading foundation that funds innovative medical research directed towards finding treatments and cures for cancer. In the 1970s, Tony Martell was a music city executive when his son T.J., who was suffering from cancer, asked his father to raise a million dollars for cancer research so that “no one else will have to experience what I am going through.” His father agreed and the TJ Martell Foundation was founded.
As a Tennis Nashville representative, Martina was assigned to the hospitality committee. She had no idea what to expect, but by the third meeting she had a clear understanding of the importance of all the committee roles. Although she had never really known how to ask for donations, she learned quickly. It was a positive, rewarding experience and she was responsible for soliciting generous donations from Dunkin Donuts, Kroger, Shell Gas Station, Bishop's Salon & Day Spa, and numerous other business in the Nashville area. She worked closely with very interesting and unique people from various backgrounds, and attributed her committee assignment to having the opportunity to meet them. Martina felt, "I am thankful that I served on the committee - it was an invaluable experience and I have made some new lifetime tennis friends!"
Life is like a game of tennis; the player who serves well seldom loses...
- Martina Doust, Tennis Nashville Board of Directors
