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Sidelines
Kalani Simpson
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Korff’s match: pro tennis and Hawaii
WATCH out, world. John Korff is operating from the inside now.
Korff, the crazy, stair-climbing, sports-promoting, idea-spouting pied piper of the big event, is now on the United States Tennis Association's board.
This is an upset, because for years you couldn't find anyone more outside. He was the rebel. He'd learned at the knee of Ion Tiriac. Tennis was staid and somber -- proper. Korff hosted a tennis tournament that featured concerts and promotions and cooking contests. When Anna Kournikova took the court he introduced her with the song "Short Shorts."
But then, as the years went by, "They started calling me," Korff says. " 'How do we do this?' " How could tennis capture his brand of fun?
Finally, a few years ago, someone high up suggested he actually apply for the USTA board. The first time, he didn't make it. He was just too different. He got some advice, he says: " 'Do it again and just be less different.' "
His wife was more direct: "Wear a sport coat and shut up."
Korff did, and he's on the board. He's operating on the inside now.
You remember Korff -- he brought the U.S. Olympic Team Trials triathlon to Hawaii. He lives about half the year here. He loves it here. Now the USTA is holding its meetings here, early next month. Coincidence? Of course not.
"They get it," Korff says. He says the light bulbs are starting to come on.
Yes, he has another idea. He wants Oahu to host a Davis Cup event. Or Fed Cup (the women's equivalent). Either one.
So here come these meetings, a perfect opportunity for the City people to get together with the tennis people, for the tennis people to get together with the tourism people ...
"So that everybody can say, 'Wow, you're real,' " Korff says.
The USTA will throw a huge "Block Party" tennis extravaganza. Tracy Austin is coming. Dennis Lajola, the kid who came out of Aiea to become one of the best teenagers in the world, will be home, playing an exhibition as part of the fun.
"Do (the meetings) in Hawaii," Korff told the tennis guys, "and I'll show you what I'm talking about."
He's optimistic, of course. It's doable, he says, it all fits. Sports. Tourism. A big event. Tennis' top pros. Hawaii, the perfect host. Is the USTA coming here for its meetings a good sign?
"Excellent," Korff says. "Because they all know why I'm doing this." He can just see it happening. They get it, and they all know his latest great plan.
His phone rings, one of those downloadable tones. His song is "Surf City." He's on the inside now. A little less different now. A long way from "Short Shorts."