Tennis Briefs(3): Mmoh, Stewart Win Titles; H.S. XGLOsive; More

Tampa-area XGLOsive Tennis Event for High School Players in April

High-school age tennis players will get an XGLOsive Tennis event all their own when the glow-in-the-dark play event comes to Palm Harbor University High School near Tampa Bay on April 7, 2016 from 8-10 p.m.

The black light spectacular is for Tampa-area high-school age players and is guaranteed to leave smiles on the faces of all participants. Players are provided with glow-in-the-dark t-shirts, and are encouraged to wear white or pastel-glow-colored clothing, wristbands, shoes or other accessories.

“We at Palm Harbor University High School are very excited to have XGLOsive as a high school event,” says organizer Irene Tharin. “As a coach I am using it as our last tennis celebration of the season. We plan to get many friends and family involved, as well as promote good relationships with the other high school teams in the area. Looking forward to a fun evening!”

XGLOsive events feature music, King of the Court games, skill games, and other fast-paced fun. There will also be a special social court with cornhole, ping pong, jenga and other games and activities.

“XGLOsive is the mix of tennis and a party,” says Jason Cordova, founder of XGLOsive LLC. “I love seeing the amazed look on everyone’s face when we flip on the black lights on the courts.”

For additional info or to get tickets for the event go to www.eventbrite.com/e/xglosive-lights-out-tour-palm-harbor-university-high-school-tickets-22889502117. For discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more, please contact Alex Gold at Gold@USTAFlorida.com.

For more upcoming USTA Florida XGLOsive “Lights Out Tour” dates, go to the Lights Out Tour website at www.USTAFlorida.com/LightsOut.

PTR Florida Tennis Workshops in April-June

Florida tennis teaching professionals will have the opportunity to keep their skills sharp with PTR adult- and youth-certification workshops throughout Florida in April-June.

PTR workshops include 11 to 17 Certification, Adult Development, Performance Certification and more.

Workshops:

April 2 — PTR 110 to 17 Level 1 Certification Workshop, Jacksonville, FL
April 2 — PTR Performance Level 1 Certification Workshop, Orlando, FL
April 4 — PTR 11 to 17 Level I ACE Certification Workshop (conducted in Spanish), Miami, FL
April 9 — PTR Senior Development Level I Certification Workshop, Naples, FL
April 23 — PTR Senior Development Level I Certification Workshop, Jupiter, FL
May 4 — PTR 11 to 17 Level I Certification Workshop, Orlando, FL
June 4 — PTR 10 & Under Level I Certification Workshop, Naples, FL
June 4 — PTR 10 & Under Level I Certification Workshop, Boca Raton, FL
June 11 — PTR Performance Level 1 Certification Workshop, Weston, FL

The Coach Youth Tennis website now serves as a prerequisite to becoming a certified teaching professional by the PTR or the USPTA. Coach Youth Tennis has been developed in partnership between the Professional Tennis Registry, the United States Professional Tennis Association, the United States Olympic Committee and the United States Tennis Association. The program consists of six on-line courses and a 10 and Under Tennis Workshop.

For more info go to http://coachyouthtennis.com or www.ptrtennis.org/workshops.htm.

Florida’s Mmoh, Stewart Win ITF Pro Titles

Michael Mmoh

Teenagers Michael Mmoh and Katerina Stewart both won ITF-level pro titles over the weekend, raising trophies in Bakersfield, Calif., and Orlando respectively.

The 18-year-old Stewart of Coral Gables, Fla., won her second consecutive title in two weeks at the Orlando Women’s $10,000 Tournament, in the final beating American qualifier Grace Min 6-4, 6-3. In the semifinals the No. 2-seeded Stewart survived a tough three-set encounter with Germany’s Julia Wachaczyk, while Min upset No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets.

It was Stewart’s eighth career ITF-level singles title, and second in a row after a win in Weston, Fla.

The 18-year-old Mmoh of Bradenton, Fla., won his first title of the year when the No. 8 seed bested unseeded 17-year-old Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in the final of the $25,000 Bakersfield Tennis Open in California.

In the semis Mmoh beat unseeded Sebastian Faneslow of Germany in straight sets, while Ruud beat unseeded American Dennis Novolo in three sets. It was Mmoh’s fourth career ITF-level title. Mmoh, a senior at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, will next play in the main draw of the Miami Open this week.

“My mentality has changed a lot within this year,” Mmoh told the Bakersfield Californian. “Last year I was satisfied being (ranked) 400 (in the world). When I got to 380, I was like ‘Whoa. This is really good.’ This year, the more I win, the more I want to win. I’m never satisfied with any ranking or any result. Just like right now, I won this tournament, but I am ready and looking forward to Miami. It’s a good mentality to have.”

For more info go to www.usta.com/Pro-Tennis/Pro-Circuit.