Sunday, December 9, 2012

Jarmere Jenkins Refects And Looks Ahead to 2013

     University of Virginia Senior Jarmere Jenkins has enjoyed a tremendous 2012. The All-American from College Park, Ga is the ACC Player Of The Year  and recently won the ITA Indoor Championship.

    Jarmere was gracious enough to accept some questions from me. He reflected on his past and looked ahead to the future.

· You are one of 8 siblings. What was it like growing up at the Jenkins house ???

Growing up with the Jenkins clan was a chaotic experience at times, but I would not change it for the world. There are so many advantages that come with having a big family: your own sports team, the Jenkins tennis tournament, having an older brother to look up to while mentoring your younger brother, knowing if someone gives you trouble you have the protection of a football team (my favorite one), just so many things I could think of.

I can remember one of the most chaotic experiences was getting ready for school each morning. For some reason, my sister would always be the first one into the bathroom to get ready for school. She would take FOREVER, and I can remember all of my brothers screaming at her to hurry so we don’t miss our buss. Thinking back on it, I feel kind of bad for her. From a woman’s perspective, having people scream at you while you put your make-up on would not be ideal.

The best experience is having the family together during tennis events. I would always have the most confidence when they all came to watch me. Something about doing the thing you love with the people you love gives me good vibes.

· Your family was profiled in Sports Illustrated . What do people say when they realize that you are a member of that tennis family from College Park, Georgia??

Usually they ask my parents what’s the secret to raising that many kids on such a thin budget. I think back on it in awe and appreciation. I love my parents for their compassion that they have. I’ve learned a great deal and I soon will adopt one of my own some day.

· I must have spoken with a dozen people in Atlanta who say they were involved in your early development.For the record, where did you start playing, and who was your first real coach??

I learned a great deal on my own from a young age, traveling to tournaments with my older brothers and begging the top juniors at the time to play with me. I started playing in Atlanta with my dad at local parks recreationally, soon after he taught me until the age of 12 when the USTA picked me up and started to cover some of my expenses regarding flights, hotels, and coaching.

· The nickname" Hands" who gets credit for that ??

I’m pretty sure it was my aunt who named me this. As an infant I was able to grip a racket so I guess she figured the name hands was suitable to the size of my hands at that age.


· How old were you when you moved to Florida to train ?? Was it a tough transition? Did you get homesick?


I was 17 when I moved. The USTA thought it would be better if I had unlimited access to the best resources in the country to better equip me for professional tennis. Because I had always been on the road since the age of 12, the only time I got homesick is the plane ride over and the plane ride returning home.



· You enjoyed an outstanding Junior career, was there ever a thought of trying the tour instead of college??

Yes of course. I had always pictured myself going straight to the pros out of highschool. It was not until I became older and was more aware of the process that I decided that college would be the best route for me. Tennis is such a physically and mentally demanding sport, without the right guidance, mindset and maturity it can be a harsh road. By taking the college route, I assured myself that I would focus on weaknesses and become physically and mentally stronger while getting the best education in the country.


· Your college career has been a steady progression.. Earlier this year you topped off your junior year by earning ACC Player of the Year honors. What did that award mean to you??

Becoming the ACC player of the year meant a great deal to my development as a person and as a player. That semester I worked on becoming a better student, brother, friend, prayer, etc. It just so happened that by striving to be the best at everything I was faced with, I also became the best tennis player that I could be. With this reward, it solidified my path to success.


· You have managed to get a number of pro challenger tournaments on your schedule, advancing to the doubles final at the Charlottesville event..Congratulatuions on that.. What do you look for from your game when playing in professional tournaments???

Thank you. The good thing about the sport of tennis is you are your biggest enemy. The good thing about playing professional tennis is it lets you know what your weaknesses are quickly. Its up to you to challenge yourself to keep getting better and facing new adversities every time you step on the court. So when I play professional tournaments I just try and learn so much from them and apply it to my practices and make sure I’m better the next time I compete professionally.

· Congratulatuions on winning the ITA Indoor Singles Championship..What was that week like? What does this title mean for your college career??

· Thank you. This was probably one of my best weeks of tennis I have ever had. I challenged myself to be as mentally prepared as possible and to compete for every point. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a journey as much as this one. To be able to hold that trophy up at the end was truly pleasing. Again, it solidified my path to success. For my college career, this title puts me down on the list of greats that have competed before me. I am honored to have my name written down next to the Somdevs, Franks, and Domijans as I know they will all go on to do amazing things in tennis and in life.


· Winning the ITA Indoors will make you a marked man next Spring. There will be great expectations from others, but what do you expect from yourself???


I think with success brings unnecessary expectations usually. I never want to start learning or getting better. My only expectations for this season are to work extremely hard and compete with love, humility, and a good perspective. If I can accomplish this then I have won. No matter what the scoreboard says.

· As 2012 comes to an end, how would the ideal 2013 play out for you???

I am expecting to cross out a few things from my bucket list tomorrow. Graduating from college, winning the NCAAs as a team or individually, playing the US Open (preferably against someone inside the top 5 in the world), and just continuing to grow in all aspects of my life. Life is such a progressive journey and whatever 2013 brings for me I would be grateful for the opportunities that I have, the moments I will get to cherish with the game that I love and the people I love.


Monday, December 3, 2012

Townsend Inks Deal, Will Play Pro Tour

     Stockbridge, Georgia resident Taylor Townsend,who is considered to be a bright future star for American tennis,has decided that the future is now. The Sports Business Journal reports that Townsend has signed a deal with sports and entertainment agency Lagardere Unlimited and is expected to play professionally next year.
     
 The move ends months of speculation about weather the top ranked junior player in the world would make the move to the next level. It also comes on the heels of a well publicized clash with USTA Player Development after funding was withheld from Townsend before the US Open. USTA Player Development officials expressed concern over Townsend's fitness. Townsend payed her own way to New York,won the junior doubles title and scores of new fans.

 I recently spoke with Taylor's mother, Shelia, who informed me that the 16 year old would not be going back to Australian in Jaunary to defend her juniors title from 2012. Instead, Taylor will remain in the states and play professional tournaments at Innisbrook ,Florida and Port St. Lucie, Florida in January. In February ,Townsend plans to play the pro event at Midland, Michigan, and Memphis, Tennessee. In March, look for Taylor Townsend to play at Indian Wells, California and Key Biscayne, Florida . The Family Circle Cup at Charleston, South Carolina is on her schedule for April.


This week Taylor Townsend is the top seed at the Orange Bowl tournament in Florida.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Jenkins and Anderson Win National Indoors

FLUSHING, NY-- Virginia's Jarmere Jenkins and UCLA's Robin Anderson captured the ITA National Indoor Championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
Jenkins, a senior from College Park, Ga., beat Pepperdine's Sabastian Faneslow in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 to win the Men's final.

              Anderson, a sophomore from Matawan, NJ,  beat Cal's Anett Schutting in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to win the Women's final.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

CAU's Williams Receives USTA Multicultural Grant

Atlanta, GA--Clark Atlanta University head women's tennis coach, Autumn Williams, was among a selected group of NCAA Division I and Division II coaches who was named a recipient of the United States Tenniss Assocition (USTA) Multicultural Grant to attend the 2012 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Coaches Convention being held December 15-18, at the Waldorf Astoria Naples in Naples, Florida.

"I am really honored and excited about the opportunity to attend the coaches convention through the USTA grant," said Williams.

The convention will include a Multicultural Symposium and ITA's business meetings, clinics and workshops where coaches will be able to provide input into the future of college tennis. It will also feature coaching education courses, tennis activites, networking opportunities and a mini tradeshow about products and services that can enhance the collegiate tennis experience.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

HBCU National Tennis Championships

It's Classic Week in Atlanta,and for fans and supporters of HBCU sports that means parades, parties and football. Before you head to the Georgia Dome for FAMU vs Southern or the AU Center for Morehouse vs CAU, why not checkout some HBCU tennis. The 12 annual HBCU National Tennis Championships are set for the Clayton County Tennis Center in Jonesboro, September 27-29. Players from 15 HBCUs will be participating in the 3 day event.Therewill be an Old School Mixer and College Pro-Am on Friday. Saturday is Kids Day, with a Round Robin for Jrs. This Round Robin is a an opportunity for college exposure, as the coaches of the participating schools will be there. If you are the coach or parent of a high school age tennis player who wants to play college tennis it might be worth your while to go and connect with these coaches.

Monday, September 24, 2012

UGA's Pasha Wins Napa Valley

ST. HELENA, Calif.----University of Georgia sophomore Nathan Pasha won four matches on Sunday to claim the Audi Napa Valley Tennis Classic title.


Pasha first defeated Stanford’s No. 81-ranked Matt Kandath, 6-3, 6-2, to win Group 2 of pool play with a 3-0 record and advance to the shootout round. The field was divided into eight pools, with each winner advancing to the PlayBrave USTA Wild Card Shootout, a single-elimination, 10-point tiebreak tournament.


In his quarterfinal match Pasha downed Lloyd Glasspool of Texas, 10-8, then defeated his USTA junior opponent, 10-7, to reach the final. Pasha topped Texas’ Soren Hess-Olesen, 16-14, to win the title and earn a USTA-sponsored wild card into a pro circuit event to be determined.


Bulldog freshman Ben Wagland won Group 4 with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over Harvard’s Shaun Chaudhuri. He reached the semifinals of shootout competition with a 10-4 win over California’s Mads Engstedt, then was edged by Hess-Olesen in the semis, 10-8.


Pasha also won the tournament’s Minor Sportsmanship Award and was named the Most Outstanding Player.

Next up for the Bulldogs is the ITA All-American Championships Oct. 1-6 in Tulsa, Okla.
 
 
Courtesy: UGA

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Swing your racquet for a great cause

Tennithon for Transplant
Date:Saturday, September 22, 2012 - Saturday, September 22, 2012
Time:2 to 10 p.m.

Location:Dekalb Tennis Center1400 McConnell Drive
Decatur, GA 30033

Tickets: Registration is $35, which helps cover the cost of the tournament.

It is the money raised by participants that actually goes to Children’s. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $100.
Register here.
ContactStephanie Oprea at 404-785-0631

About This Atlanta Charity Event



Whether you are new to the game or an old pro, tennis is a fun way to exercise and spend time with those you care about. It is also a great way to raise money to help children experience the fun of summer camp.

All you have to do is register and play in the upcoming Tennithon for Transplant. All proceeds from this tennis tournament go to Camp Independence - a weeklong summer camp for children with kidney disease or solid organ transplants.

Bring your entire family for a day of live music, prizes and fun.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Paint Serena Red, White, Blue... and Gold

 I don't know about you, but I have totally enjoyed the Olympic tennis tournament. I thought that having the Olympic tournament played at the All-England Club would add a touch of history to an already historic event and it completely lived up to everything I imagined it would be. The crowd was not the usual Wimbledon crowd.There was a bit more chatter between points, that at times gave it more of Flushing Meadow feel. It was with this backdrop that Serena Williams turned in one of the most remarkable performances of her career, and joined Steffi Graf as the only women to win all four grand slam events, and an Olympic gold medal.

 Throughout her career Wimbledon has been known as big sister, Venus', house. Let the record reflect that in the summer of 2012, little sister was holding the key. By winning Wimbledon last month and coming back to the same location to claim gold for the United States, Williams has firmly restored herself at the top player in the women's game again. Some may want to call this a comeback, I prefer to call it a rebirth.

  There's nothing like almost losing something to make you value , and treasure it even more. For Serena Williams it was an injury followed by illness that threatened both life and career. Faced with a simular situation, most of us would evaluate and take inventory of both success and failure. Then there are those glasses that we leave half empty, or would that be half full. No doubt Williams took inventory of her remarkable career and had time to reflect on some of those half full glasses.

 There is an old saying , " If only youth had wisdom." How many times have we seen professional atheletes in the latter stages of their careers wishing for the vitality to go along with wisdom and knowledge that had been gathered along the way. At both Wimbledon and the Olympics, Serena Williams summoned the enthusiam of her youth to go with the wisdom of her 30 years and the result was sheer dominance.

   Serena Williams triumph over Maria Sherapova lasted 1 hour and 3 minutes, and maybe it's fitting for the sands in the hour glass are now fewer for Williams. She danced on the court after winning the gold medal at the Olympics, and all the while hearing the sound of a ticking clock. Maybe it's that ticking clock that now motivates Serena or could it be her sense of history,or perhaps it's those half full glasses from years gone by. It promises to be vintage Serena, and when it's done all glasses will be empty !!   New York City... You're Next !!!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Blake finds new motivation to win

James Blake will be the first to admit that his first round victory at the BB&T Atlanta Open was match that he was supposed to lose. The 32 year old tour veteran out lasted 20 year old Ryan Harrison for a 3 set win that delighted the crowd at the Atlantic Station venue.

 On paper it didn't seem close..Harrison is 20 years old, ranked 43rd and bound for London for the 2012 Olympics. Blake, at 32, has seen his ranking slip out of the top 100 to 110. "I'm starting to play guys who grew up watching me", said a smiling Blake after the match.

Blake is no considered a threat to win ATP titles, but he remains a crowd favorite and on this night he showed that his wisdom, remaining skills and even couple of friendly bounces off the top of the net can result in victory..

Health has been an issue for James, who talked about his knee surgery back in November..He looked to be moving well..His serve was not as crisp as nis fans would remember. That is due to a shoulder injury that he continues to play through..

But after the match he told me about his new inspiration to play good tennis, the recent birth of his daughter. Blake said" This is the first match that I have won since she was born. Tonight her daddy is a winner".
 Great playing "Pops".. You did your baby girl proud...

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Questions to be answered in Atlanta

As the courtain goes up on the BB&T Atlanta Open, the questions that come rushing forward seem too numerous to count..First there is a tournament field that includes the top ranked American Mens players in the world, four of which will head back to the All-England Club for the Olympics in two weeks.
  The early commitment from Andy Roddick was big for the image of this event. Roddick won his first career ATP title in Atlanta and remains popular despite a recent drop in rankings. A-Rod is looking to ramp up his game before heading back to England.
  Mardy Fish is two-time defending champion of this event, and after dealing with health matters in the spirng, looks to be ready to go for a threepeat. Fish passed on a spot on the Olympic team and is expected to play at Washington instead. Atlanta will be he most talented field he will face until after the Olympics.
 Then there is John Isner.The UGA alum and two-time runner up here is coming to town on the heels of a strong showing at Newport. A great week in front of a supportive crowd could give him the boosted he needs headed back to the scene of a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon.

 There are still more questions than answers about  players like Ryan Harrison. The first time Olympian is coming off a semi-final run at Newport.. Donald Young is bound for London too, but is in the throws of a 13 match losing streak. Perhaps playing before the home crowd will help he regain the form that made him a hit at the US Open last year. The more interesting story coming to the Atlanta tournament for me has to be Brian Baker, who at this time last year was ranked #752 in the world. The one time junior phenom is now an overnight sensation at age 27 and ranked 76 in the world.Look for a few folks to drive down from Music City to see Baker play in Hotlanta.

 But the biggest question may be the new venue for Atlanta's ATP event. Atlantic Station is a shopping, entertainment and residential development in the heart of the city. It is an idea that is so fresh and outside of the box that some are wondering how the traditional tennis community will treat  it.With over 150 thousand card carrying league tennis players in the metro Atlanta area, this is a city that has long been know for chosing to play rather than watch. Let's see if they will accept and embrace a new approach to professional tennis, not just for Atlanta but for the entire nation. Instead of Tennis Anyone it time to say Tennis Everyone...Enjoy the tournament Ya'll !!!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

College Tennis Coach needs a Player

Hello,
My name is Scott Howard and I am the Head Women's Tennis Coach at Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. I was wondering if you can post something trying to help those junior players that are still searching for a college to attend this fall. Your section might have a player that is still looking at this late date, and Holy Names University is hoping to add one more player for the fall semester.
Scott Howard
Head Women's Tennis Coach
Holy Names University
USPTA Pro 1
Vice President Nor Cal USPTA
Director of Tennis/Golden Gate Park Tennis Academy
(650) 281-3680

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Townsend adds Wimbledon title

Stockbridge,Georgia resident Taylor Townsend has added yet another major title to her impressive resume. Today Taylor and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard won the Girls' Doubles Championship at Wimbledon. Townsend and Bouchard downed the team of Belinda Bencic and Ana Konjuh in straight set scores 6-4, 6-3..It is Townsend's third grand slam title for 2012. Taylor won both Girls' Singles and Doubles titles at the Australian Open in January. This Spring Taylor won the Easter Bowl tournament in California  and assumed the top spot in the world, among junior girls players.

 Now 16, Taylor will return to the United States to compete in several professional futures tournaments before going to New York for the US Open, where last year she competed in both the Juniors tournament and in the Women's Doubles. Then comes to question of turning pro full time. My guess is that if Taylor is still the top ranked junior girl when the season ends,she will play the pro tour in 2013..

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Peterson Tennis Celebrates

There is big news at the Peterson School of Tennis.The USTA and American Express have teamed up to resurface Burdett Tennis Center in College Park, GA. The facility now includes six 36 foot tennis courts or youth courts. The new "kiddie" courts are part of the USTA's effort to get more children involved in the game. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony July 16th at 10am. The USTA and local officials will be in attendance as well as rising tennis pro Ryan Harrison.

The USTA's grant comes through USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the Unites States tennis Association. USTA Serves has awarded some 44 community and educational oraganzations grants that total more than $400,000.

Peterson School of Tennis, has also received a grant through Fresh Courts, a joint effort between American Express and he USTA to refurbish existing courts.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Xavier Tennis teams advance to NAIA Nationals


Xavier University of Louisiana's Amber Brown defeated Martin Methodist's Maria Charrys 6-3, 6-1 Saturday to clinch a 5-2 dual match victory for the Gold Nuggets in the championship of an NAIA unaffiliated group women's tennis tournament at Racquet Club of the South.
Brown is a sophomore from Decatur. She was home-schooled before attending Xavier.
Xavier entered the tournament 4-21 but won all three of its duals to earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship on May 15-19 at Mobile, Ala. Brown won all three of her No. 3 singles matches and dropped a collective five games. Her three-set loss to Charrys clinched Martin Methodist's 5-4 victory March 9.
"I just wanted to go out there and get revenge for last time," Brown said. "I told myself that I wasn't going to lose to her. I knew that I needed to win for my team to get to nationals."
Martin Methodist is ranked 17th and was the defending champion of this event.
Xavier's eighth-ranked men defeated 16th-ranked Cumberland 5-0 to win the championship for the second consecutive year. The Gold Rush (17-7) took a 2-0 lead when seniors Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richarson defeated Devin Crotzer and Na'im Azhar 8-6 at No. 2 doubles. Giles-Osborn (Atlanta resident, Westlake High School graduate) is 15-0 and Richardson (Ellenwood resident, Stockbridge High) is 12-0 in four seasons of conference/group tournaments.
Xavier's men qualified for the national tournament for the fourth consecutive year, and the women qualified for the sixth time in eight seasons.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Taylor Townsend is tops among juniors

Taylor Townsend, a 16-year-old from Stockbridge, Ga., who trains full-time at the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., became the top-ranked junior in the ITF World Junior Rankings (for players 18 and younger) on Monday, making her the first American girl to earn the No. 1 ranking since the ITF combined singles and doubles rankings in 2004.

Donald Young was the last American to reach No. 1 in the boys’ rankings in 2005. Coincidentally, Young’s parents were Townsend’s first tennis coaches.

In January, Townsend swept the girls’ singles and doubles titles at the Australian Open, becoming the first American to sweep the junior singles and doubles titles at a Grand Slam event since Lindsay Davenport at the 1992 US Open. In addition, Townsend captured the prestigious Easter Bowl title earlier this month in Rancho Mirage, Calif., where she also reached the doubles final, and she owns a 19-2 singles record in ITF World Junior Competition in 2012.

Townsend is representing the United States this week at the Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas North/Central American and Caribbean Championships, held in Merida, Mexico, April 26-28. The team is coached by USTA Lead National Coach Kathy Rinaldi, who works with Taylor in Boca Raton.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Washington Park product shines at UGA

ATHENS, Ga. --- University of Georgia men’s tennis freshman Nathan Pasha on Monday secured his fourth SEC Freshman of the Week honor of the season when the league office issued its release this afternoon.

Pasha has now won the award in back-to-back weeks in addition to taking the honors on March 28 and Feb. 22. The Atlanta native is riding a team-best nine-match winning streak in singles with an 18-1 dual match record and a 9-1 mark in conference play.

On Saturday vs. Tennessee in the regular-season finale, Pasha put up two more wins on the day to help the Bulldogs to the 7-0 shutout of their divisional rival, including a straight-set win over Taylor Patrick at six singles that got him off the court first for the sixth time in 2012. He then teamed with Sadio Doumbia for an 8-2 victory at No. 2 doubles, which at that point evened things at 1-1 before Georgia eventually went on to claim the doubles point.


Pasha and the Bulldogs head to Starkville, Miss., this week for the 2012 SEC Championships. Enjoying a first round bye, Georgia will take on the winner of the Auburn-South Carolina match in the quarterfinals on Friday at 9 a.m. ET.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

UGA's Pasha Freshman of the Week

Georgia men’s tennis rookie Nathan Pasha went a combined 5-0 last week, including two match-clinching victories for UGA at the ITA National Indoors, on his way to the first SEC Freshman of the Week honors of his career, the league office announced Wednesday morning.




The Atlanta native’s stellar play helped the Bulldogs to a 3-1 week, including a trip to the Indoor semifinals at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, Va. He recorded three singles victories at line six to improve to 7-0 in dual match play, while adding a pair of doubles wins with Ignacio Taboada at No. 3.



Pasha’s wins vs. 13th-ranked California in the first round and fifth-ranked Florida in the quarterfinal clinched both of those matches, while he also won vs. top-ranked Southern Cal in Sunday’s semifinal, taking down No. 86 Roberto Quiroz to even the overall score at 1-1. It was his second career win over a ranked opponent.