Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 DRAW PHOTO ALBUM
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Support those that support tennis!
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TOURNAMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
...WERE MADE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE the efforts of a stalwart participant in this tournament, the co-director Melissa Gibson. Melissa, from day one a month and a half ago, has been working on this event coming up big in many areas. Forget about the fact that she was running the tournament with me handling everything behind the scenes from setting up the tents and tables, and everything Wild oats, and better nutrition, and Denby, and dealing with getting players on the court ,and making sure there is enough ice, to marketing the event, making up flyers, and getting sponsors. In fact, it was Melissa who got Jacqueline Perez's Desert Valley Pediatrics to sponsor and this allowed the tournament to allow numerous free entries for players who may not be able to afford it. The other sponsor that made this possible was Jal Daulat's Las Vegas Skin and Cancer clinics.
PROMOTING THE EVENT AND SPONSORS
The
promotion of this first Circuit event began weeks ago
as I called each person in the tennis community whom I know has supported this
web site from day one. Some people see the web site and say "so what," while
others saw what I was looking to do right away. I did not ask everyone whom
supported the site to be on the tournament committee, but those who showed a
above and beyond support of
VegasTennis.com.
First and foremost is
Melissa Gibson
who, between she and her daughter Gabrielle, use this web site more then anyone.
But even more so I have witnessed her match with life take place over the last
10 months, with third set tie breaks, being down 50 match points, and point by
point I witnessed her climb back into the ring and she is still in the game
today. This event is about this type of perseverance and willingness to thrive,
and in her name , let the games begin.
The tournament committee ..Melissa Gibson, Marty Hennessy, John Baltas, TB, Bob Thompson, Jal Daulat, Savvas Andrews, Cristine Miclat, Jose Miclat, Jasna Pantic, Kyle Kenyon, Deanna Kenyon, Thomas Harper, Mila Ortiz, Blaine Banker, and Ronald Muhammad. All of these persons were asked to do nothing, but told by me that they have already done more then enough.
VegasTennis is Thriving!!
It was their seeing what VegasTennis.com could and should be that has fueled it's success. There is not a place in America, not Florida, not California or Colorado, that has a web site like this, not one. Video highlights, pictures, articles, play by play on each tournament, tournament posters and local promotions. It is something I have enjoyed a great deal and when asked just this afternoon what my ultimate goal is, and how was I going to make money, I told the man, if I had started with the ultimate goal to make money I would have never done it. There is no money in running a tennis web site for adult and junior tennis. There is only the satisfaction that comes from simply doing something because you know it is right. As April Giuffria said the other night as many tennis parents ate dinner.. "Life is short, so wear your party pants", in other words, do what you know is right and the rest will take care of itself.
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If you are led to do something, there is an innate satisfaction in not doubting oneself and following through.
In fact , it is my position that no one does anything for money. You either do it because it is right or you do what is wrong. Those are the only two motivations. If one makes money doing what they are led to do, then so be it, but most important is being motivated by what is right instead of something different. And one can tell when someone is in a job because they are led to, and have their whole heart into it, and you can tell when that is not the case.
For the last two years, I created a tennis web site for adults, then stumbling across a junior tennis flyer, was amazed at little people hitting the ball like they did. And as I watched each tournament I saw the parts I liked and the parts of the event I knew I could improve on, and soon the VegasTennis.com Circuit was created.
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Open matches
Nenad
Zivkovic, the professional
at the Monte Carlo, former number one player all-American at UNLV and
a nice guy off court, was seeded number one, but was out gunned by
professional at Red Rock,
Ben Coates.
This was an amazing three set fight,
with the hard hitting Nenad unable to close the smooth placement
player Ben Coates.
Ben who has not played a tournament in
over 2 years. He is teaching at Red Rock and is busy with students
like
Alex
Zara, who's match he got to
watch in Alex's finals for the boys 14 and under. Nenad has just
recently began to train to go back on the professional tennis tour
this summer. Ben Coates had some fans in local 4.0 player Austin
Sparazza and his friend Autumn, courtside to watch his big win.
The open draw had big talent and what ended up happening is the Battistone brothers, Brian and Dan, played one another for the BALLY'S CUP. In the semifinals Brian Battistone beat Eoin Collins, as Eoin had to retire due to injury. In the other side Ben Coates fell to Dan Battistone. The finals was filled with Battistone fans and many others who are enamored with the high flying serve of Brian Battsistone. It is amazing how in life you have the "No people" who are always saying why it can not work, happen or be, and those who make it happen, discover and chart a new course.
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In the boy's 18 and under this
tournament had a very large draw. This age group is usually empty, but
I made a point of calling and getting each player that has dropped off
the tournament scene and pulled them back for this last tournament. I
succeeded in getting Scott
Schneider, who played one of
the most improved players in the last two years
Michael Uriarte.
Scott won in two sets and showed why he once dominated junior tennis.
He still has a game and there is no reason why it should not be
explored at UNLV or elsewhere. We will see. Go Scott. Scott took home
Wilson's new THE ROK tennis racquet for players, given to him by
GALYAN'S
and Wilson. Meanwhile Michael has another year and should be one of if
not thee top player in the eighteens next year.
Kristofer, his sister Kimberly, mom and dad, were another great addition to this tournament. They stayed most of the weekend and took part in all the activities. Kimberly Yee made it to the finals and took second to Chrissy Uriarte. This is a match that keeps repeating itself as just weeks later the two played again at ClubSport. Adam Yee is the teaching professional at Desert Palm and is in charge of bringing about numerous small tennis players into the valley talent pool. He has obviously done an excellent job in developing two excellent players in his children Kristofer and Kimberly. He is also the coach of Rutger Gunther, who's family has been a steady presence over the last couple of years. VegasTennis.com bids them farewell, and invites them to come back next year to play the BALLY'S CUP, as they are moving to Washington soon.
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An equal farewell has to be paid to some of the profound contributors to junior tennis over the last number of years, the players themselves, many of which are graduating this year and moving on to college tennis, or adult league tennis.
JUNIOR TENNIS CLASS OF 2003
This includes of course two girls that put Las Vegas on the map in
junior national and International tennis. To list all of their
accomplishments would be too many, but to name a few, they won
SuperNationals in doubles, were ranked #1 in girls 18 and under
nationally, won the International Grass court Championships just this
past summer, are taking a full scholarship to Notre Dame and have been
making a dent in ladies professional tennis by playing in challengers
throughout the country.
To get competition the girls have been allowed to play in men's open
draws, and have thrived doing so.
David Pate let me run an
open tournament at BALLY'S months ago where the precedent was set.
They won two matches and almost a third
taking top men open players three sets. Then at The Spanish Trail
men's open Dan Knight saw an exception in this rare case was warranted
and allowed the girls to win their first round and again giving a 5.0
team a very tough time in the second round.
In this tournament Catrina showed she can beat the boys her own age
beating the Monte Carlo winner Joshua Thompson, then in the next round
before losing took three games from Lew Deleon. This was great
to see Las Vegas's number one girls playing the number one girl in the
18 and under.
Christian had an incredible match against Ryan Gormley that will go down as one of the top two matches of the event. But more then that , the girls competitive and excellent play, coupled with their genuine sincerity and charm, has endeared them to many. When they play, it is often that crowds just appear, and it was a pleasure to have them in my event.
Their father Bob has long been a
supporter of the site and his contributions have been many. Most of
all his attitude and support of the tournaments and ideas in which he
passed on, as he was a tournament director years ago, when he
saw a need, created the "Turkey and tennis" junior tournament, that
was equally creative and exciting as this year's BALLY'S CUP. When he
shared with me his experience being on the board of the NTA and
bringing the girl's up in tennis and his tournament, I knew this is
the type of person I want on this tournament committee, not so much
for what they can do going forward, but as a sign of acknowledgement
of what he has
already done to further Las Vegas tennis. He has shown a willingness
to talk with and work with other parents who are starting off in the
game and if you want to reach him,
e-mail me and I can give you his
number.
In a sence, he has been the girls coach, along side their original coach Craig Whitcher at Lorenzi, and Ken Shioi at TPC and at one time Rita Agassi at BALLY'S. Now he is their coach, as he has always been the stable force behind this duo. Now the girl's move on to college and perhaps we will see more from Bob Thompson, as he may have some extra time on his hands, unless of course he starts traveling to the girls college matches as well.
Lew Deleon has dominated junior tennis locally and in the intermountain for many years now. He was the top junior seed of the BALLY'S CUP, and has won adult open tournaments as well, like his performance years ago at 16 winning the Spanish Trail men's singles. Now he is getting a scholarship to play tennis for Northern Arizona University. He will leave his long time job at Club Sport as stringer, and the Las Vegas Valley, including his break dancing posse and tennis friends, to chart a new course of competition and seriousness in life. One had to look no further then Lew's recent pre-game preparation at the EASTER CIRCUIT, where he sat alone for many minutes before his match preparing in concentration, to see why he is the player he has become. Like many seniors he let his game fall off this past year, but came back at the EASTER CIRCUIT and beat the number one seed to leave his mark one last time.
Sabrina Cappanollo started tennis at Marty Hennessy's summer tennis camps..One summer David Wrzesinski worked at Marty;'s camp and soon after he began to coach Sabrina. He continued to do so for all these years, when he use to run Spanish Oaks, but has since retired and does real-estate appraisals. Sabrina has long been a dominant presence in local junior tennis. She has since moved on from winning most local and intermountain tournaments, to taking a Super national in her senior year in doubles with her partner Sylvia Kosakowski from the Graziano Academy in California. Although she continued to thrive in tennis, Sabrina is anxious to get home for her last summer as a junior tennis player. She will be going to Arizona State University next year on scholarship and is looking forward in playing some VegasTennis.com open draws this summer. She was excited to play in the BALLY'S CUP open doubles and told me to put her in the draw until her partner reminded her that the two are playing in a professional challenger on the same weekend in Oklahoma.
John
Fayeghi is going to College
next year at Mesa State, on a half tennis scholarship, after being
ranked #1 locally and 16 in the intermountain. Kevin Bradley is his
coach and has been for his whole high school career. He played
for coach Luther Bohannon at Green Valley High School.
Chris Wilson is another top player that is leaving high school and will be playing tennis for UNLV next year. He is fine tuning his game in local open tournaments like this, so he is ready for college level play. Chris has been a top junior in the intermountain for many years and has worked with Tim Blenkiron, while being a favorite among many of the younger players at Canyon Gate.
Then there is
Allison Davis,
who played on numerous Nevada state title teams, including this year
at Bishop Gorman. She shined as the states Doubles champion with
Carrie Schofield.
She will move on and take with her, years of tennis play experience
with Johnny Lane
at the Country Club.
Then there is
Bobby Jelone,
who after just starting tennis a few years ago, looks to go to UNLV and be a walk on. He has in a short time , shown himself to be a
competitor, and his doubles partner
Jason Harper
has been a joy to watch play. He too takes off next year to college
and we will have to get his dad
Thomas Harper
involved in tennis in other areas other then his son's number one fan.
Perhaps the TPC men's league team! Bobby Jelone and I spoke the other
day and what stood out was the clarity in his young years addressing
the simple yet profound truths that lay in the game of tennis, one of
which he credits his coach Don Russell for.. to enjoy playing. To keep
the wonder alive and doing what you know is right in your heart, not
for the image of grandeur or financial treasures but from an innate
longing to follow what you are led to do. This has led him to be
extraordinary in dealing with young players at camps with Don Russell
at Queens Ridge and helping Marty Hennessy at the Turnberry Place
camp, along with being a camp counselor at Club Sport. If he can
maintain this attitude, there is no reason he could not be an
excellent addition to the UNLV team next year. Having just started
years ago, he is absent the injury's that plague many college players
and is ready to improve his match play by working with talented
players. It is amazing how playing better competition can bring out a
game in a player they never knew was there. The notion that it is too
late is nonsense, and players like Jelone and Uriarte have shown this
to be true. Many adults start in their thirties, like Jeff Barber, who
then a just a few years became a dominating 5.0 player beating
ex-college players, with shear hustle and heart. The story is shown
every now and then, and it takes a special type of person to do this,
special by choice. A player with the right attitude and willingness,
and that is the description of Bobby Jelone.
Derek Hoffman was a huge help in this tournament, running the consolation draw, getting the ping pong tables and numerous other tasks. He is a rare find, the type of person that can handle what ever you give him. I guess everyone could be that way, but not everyone chooses to be. He is alert and astute and I knew when a project was handed to him he could follow it through.
Joseph Magid
graduates and his sincere use of my web site and interest in tennis
has not gone unnoticed. A sensitive player and decent person, perhaps
he too will start adult tennis or at least stick around and play the
open draws with VegasTennis.com. Thanks for the ping pong tables and
wooden racquet match.
Chris Savanpridi,
also a nice young man, often a fixture at Marty Hennessy's events, and
a pleasure to talk to, will now move on and his big serve and refined
play has to find a place in open tennis as this game is not something
that should be wasted. What many juniors don't realize is , there is a
whole world of adult tennis waiting for them that is competitive and
in many ways better then junior tennis because it is based on skill,
not age, always making for excellent and even matches.
Joshua
Thompson I have seen go from
an iradic player at Baskin park to a tournament winner and contender
at Monte Carlo and this past years Pumpkin.
Enrico Litterini
at Clark High School enjoyed having Joshua on his team a great deal
and his desire to play tennis in his later high school years did not
go unnoticed. Now it is a matter of maintaining that interest and not
letting it fall away.
Bob Thompson, Joshua's father, father has been a player in Las Vegas for many years and has seen this town's tennis scene move and shake. He has been a constant presence in Johua's game and will continue to be.
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I
have written numerous times about the graceful and often gentlemanly
Dean Stavri.
Although he has lagged off in his senior year playing that game, he
ended his junior tennis with a bang winning the
Hennessy junior Circuits and doing so with dignity. He
has already been playing in my VegasTennis.com open tournaments and is
a welcome entry this June when we do the doubles the 18th of June to
the 22nd.
Want to support those who support tennis?
Here are 10 ways you can...
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| 2. Click here to Sign up for Wild Oats food market e-mail newsletter and have a chance to win a $1,000.00 shopping spree.. The newsletter sign up let's them know you sponsoring tennis pays.. and you will get coupons for discounts at their awesome store!! Another way to support them for supporting tennis is to BUY GROCERIES...eat in cafe, get a juice in the juice bar, .. USE THEIR EVENT AND PARTY CATERING PLATTERS! |
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| 5. BClick here to find a BETTER NUTRITION store to shop at, which carry the Denby bars and everything to do with supplements. Wild Oats carry's supplements as well, but a store like better nutrition and Wild oats have worked together in this event to make it a great one. |
| 6. Jal Daulat's Las Vegas SKIN AND CANCER CLINICS..Know someone who has a skin condition, cancer or something with their skin? Jal Daulat is known as one of the class acts in this field. And not only are his son's two of the top players, with Rishi winning the 16's and Aashish a finalist in the 12's, but he himself found himself on court against the number one seed in the tournament after making it through the first round match. He won one match and lost his second as Nenad, the Stacey Darling winner, took him out in the second round. But there is no shame in that. |
| 7. Use Jacqueline Perez's Desert Valley Pediatrics.. RENOWNED CHILD'S DOCTOR.. |
| 8. Eat at GANDHI'S RESTAURANT..Click here to see their web site. |
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The
end of the singles VegasTennis.com Mobile Medical Services BALLY'S
CUP was solidified with an amazing impromptu game of woodie tennis ,
playing doubles with the antique wooden racquets that older players
like myself were brought up on. This game is less about power, but
more about hustle, finesse and poise. It was fun as Melissa Gibson,
and Christine Miclat called out the score on the P.A. system and
Stojanka Pantic and I beat Gabrielle Gibson and Ernestine Miclat in
a three "Sets" match of "Points".
Then later that night when Joseph Magid came
to get his Ping Pong table, after he looked longingly at the wooden
racquets I challenged hiom to the last match of the event. I won it
is three quasi "Points" sets of hustle and touch, that only a wooden
racquet can provide.
It was a perfect way to end an amazing event.
Thanks for participating.
This site and VegasTennis.com thrived on your participation.
Ryan
Tournament Committee
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Melissa Gibson, Marty Hennessy, John Baltas, |
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Bob Thompson, Jal Daulat, Savvas Andrews, Cristine Miclat, |
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Jose Miclat, Jasna Pantic, Kyle Kenyon, Deanna Kenyon, Thomas |
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Harper, Mila Ortiz, Blaine Banker, Ronald Muhammad, Ryan Wolfington |
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BUY
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