Tennis Briefs(3): Record Players at USTA 10-Point Tiebreak Tourney; More

Record Participation at New USTA 10-Point Tiebreak Tennis Tournament in Ft. Myers

USTA Florida’s 10-Point Tiebreak tournaments are for players looking for competition without spending an entire weekend at a tournament. Last week the Gulf Harbour Country Club in Ft. Myers attracted a record 120 players to the one-day event in the midst of June’s 90-plus degree Florida temperatures.

“After 120 people signed up for this event — in the middle of June! — I realized quickly I might have underestimated the need for such a format,” said Tournament Director and Gulf Harbour Director of Tennis Mike Curran.

The all-doubles event offered play at virtually all NTRP levels, from men’s and women’s 3.0 to Open.

“My buddy Mike Baldwin ran a singles version of this event at his club, Mediterra, during season a few months back and it had a very respectable turnout, so I was just hoping for 40 to 50 people,” Curran said.

Curran employed a social media blitz and flyers to clubs resulting in not only the large player turn-out, but also 200-250 spectators cheering players on. A local news crew also showed up to cover the event.

“I have had so much positive feedback for this event that my members are already asking, ‘When is the next one?'” he said.

More than 80 10-point tiebreaks were played in one day under the tournament format, with the event beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending around 4:30 p.m.

“Honestly it wasn’t that bad, albeit quite busy,” Curran said. “We held a full consolation for each draw, and scheduled each match in 45 minute increments, with most matches being done in less than that time. We ran each match immediately after one another so there was no lag time. I was concerned that it would be difficult for the players, considering the heat, to play four matches in a row, but I received no complaints. This is another great derivative of the short format, along with the fact everyone was done the same day, and there were no hotel expenses involved.”

Curran says tournament directors “who want to try something new and fun” are welcome to contact him at mcurran@gulfharbour.com.

“You can bet this event will be on my club calendar next year!” he says.

Miami’s Kypriss Named Top National H.S. Tennis Coach

Tennis coach Michael Kypriss of Dr. Michael M. Krop High School in Miami was honored as the National Coach of the Year for Tennis at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 20, 2015.

NHSACA national coaches of the year were named in 19 recognized sports categories.

Kypriss was selected for the honor by state high school coaches’ associations. His selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning parentage.

The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches association in the nation, recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978.

This marks the third time Kypriss has been honored as a national coach of the year. In 2006 he was the National High School Federation coach of the year, and in 2009 he was the PTR USA National Coach of the Year.

Florida’s Kenin Chosen for Inaugural LTA Grand Slam Nations Cup Squad

Sofia Kenin of Pembroke Pines, Fla., was one of eight players named to the U.S. team for the inaugural LTA Grand Slam Nations Cup, a junior tennis round robin competition on grass courts between the Grand Slam-hosting nations (France, Australia, Great Britain, U.S.). The event will be contested this week at the site of the WTA Eastbourne event in England.

The competition expands on the Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy, which was played annually between U.S. and British juniors.

“These grass court matches will be great preparation for Wimbledon Juniors,” says Herlinda Lombardi, USTA national player services specialist. “USTA National Coaches Leo Azevedo and Jamea Jackson will be leading the team in England. Congratulations to the players and their personal coaches for being selected.”

Kenin will be accompanied by her personal coach (and father) Alex Kenin.

Other players selected are Caroline Dolehide, Hinsdale, Ill., coach: Tom Lockhart; Raveena Kingsley, Fulton, Md., coaches: Phil and Taylor Dent; Claire Liu, Thousand Oaks, Calif., coaches: Mike Gennette, Leo Azevedo and Adam Peterson; and Kayla Day, Santa Barbara, Calif., coaches: Mike Gennette, Aaron Webster, Adam Peterson and Leo Azevedo.

Each nation will play a match against the other three nations in a round robin format, with each match consisting of four singles and two doubles.

For more info go to www.usta.com.