Tennis Briefs(3): Florida Jr. State Doubles Preview; More

Preview: 67th Florida Jr. State Doubles Tennis Begins Saturday

Major junior tennis ranking points will be on the line this weekend when the 67th USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Doubles Championships are held on Sept. 19-21, 2015, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs (18s-16s age divisions), and at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach (14s-10s divisions).

It is one of the few major tournaments in the country that combine boys’, girls’, and mixed doubles in the same event.

An XGLOsive Player Social event will be held on Friday night, Sept. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs featuring a doubles mixer, pizza party, and blacklight tennis challenges and games.

Defending champions returning to the field after claiming titles last year are Boys’ 18s winner Davey Roberts (Palm Coast), Boys’ 16s winner Noah Schachter (Wesley Chapel) this year playing up in the 18s, Girls’ 16s winners Anna Bright (Boca Raton, FL) and Alana Wolfberg (Orlando) who will be competing with different partners up in the 18s, Girls’ 14s winner Sophia Edwards (Sarasota) who will be playing up in the 16s, the Girls’ 12s winning team of Jaleesa Leslie (Apopka) and Jamilah Snells (Ft. Lauderdale) who will be playing up in the 14s, and defending their Boys’ 10s title will be Andre Medicielo (Riverview) and Christian Solano (Tampa).

The tournament is annually a launching pad for future college stars and pros.

Former “Bobby Curtis” State Doubles winners include former WTA doubles No. 1 and Wimbledon winner Corina Morariu (Girls’ 16s-1992, Girls’ 14s-1991), and ATP player Wayne Odesnik (Boys’ 14s-1999). Former world No. 1s Chris Evert, Andy Roddick and Jim Courier are among the players that have raised trophies in singles at the USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Singles Championships, previously known as the USTA Florida Jr. State Closed. Florida’s top event was renamed to honor the legendary Florida junior tennis organizer Bobby Curtis in 2012.

Results will be posted daily in the news section on the front of the USTA Florida website at www.ustaflorida.com.

For complete age 10s, 12s and 14s draws, results and seedings, CLICK HERE.

For complete 16s and 18s draws, results and seedings, CLICK HERE.

Miami Tennis Community to Come Together for Special Olympics ’30-Love’ Event

Join USTA Florida, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Special Olympics Florida on Oct. 8, 2015 in a day of community, volunteerism, and tennis in service to Special Olympics Tennis athletes.

The event will be held at the University of Miami’s Wellness Center on campus in Coral Gables, Fla., from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

“30-Love is a debut initiative from USTA Florida where Millennial-age tennis supporters perform service initiatives,” says USTA Florida Event & Sponsorship Coordinator Alex Gold. “Learn how you can get involved with each participating organization, and play more tennis.”

USTA Florida will provide the easier-to-use USTA 10 and Under Tennis equipment for athletes at the event, which is co-coordinated by Special Olympics of Miami-Dade County. “The 30-Love initiative is a great way for young adults to exercise leadership and organize tennis events to give back to their communities and individuals with disabilities,” Gold said. “The event is open to all and we’re looking forward to a lot of community participation.”

The 30-Love initiative debuted in April of this year when Florida State University hosted Millennial-age tennis supporters and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity headlining a clinic for Special Olympics Tennis athletes. They were joined by volunteers from USTA Florida staff and the USTA Florida Foundation, and the event was previewed by ESPN ahead of their FSU men’s NCAA television coverage.

“Because of USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Foundation, we grew our tennis program by 65 percent last year,” said Special Olympics Florida President & CEO Sherry Wheelock. “However, we know there are more athletes that could benefit from this incredible sport and we do have the capacity. We are so thankful for USTA Florida’s involvement and support.”

For more information on the USTA Florida 30-Love initiative or the Miami event contact Alex Gold at gold@ustaflorida.com.

Masters Tennis Added to Free Clearwater Family Tennis Festival in October

The Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater, Fla., will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a free tennis event for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., including the Masters Tennis format.

Masters Tennis on the 60-foot court with the lower-bouncing “orange ball” provides the perfect learning laboratory for players or teaching pros working with new players. Players can use their regular racquets, or smaller racquets which provide more control.

“We are excited to include Masters Tennis to our programming at Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex,” says McMullen Recreation Programmer Lori Burdell. “This is the perfect time to launch Masters Tennis during our 40th Anniversary Celebration. If you have always wanted to learn how to play tennis, especially if you are a senior, now is the time to learn!”

All skill levels are welcome to participate in games for prizes such as a fast-serve contest and more.

Raffle drawings, food, Silver Sneakers sign-up and perks, membership specials, Pickleball lessons and other activities will be offered.

Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex is located at 1000 Edenville Ave. in Clearwater.

For more information call (727) 669-191 or go to www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/mtc.asp.