Saturday Night Tennis at Desert Palm

It was classic tennis this evening at Desert Palm. But first before mentioning the excellent match I witnessed let's address the best tennis hat in town... the new Desert Palm Blue... so good I asked Howard to buy one. It is almost the same electric Blue that is now the color of center court at Spanish Trail's center court. Last tournament Howard got the cutting edge shirts, now the hats.

And what made the tennis classic this evening was not just the three set match between Baron Giuffria and Taras Motsney, but the side act as well. Baron's mother April Giuffria, Aashish Daulat, myself and one of the Desert Palm club members just picked up an impromptu game of doubles. And this is as it should be. That is why I like Baskin Park... it is never something planned but just occurs when it is right. It began when I saw a women serving on court one like a 4.0 player. And what I noticed was she was so into hitting the ball, running around playing the junior player all out. As it turns out she just recovered after spending a long person in a wheel chair and has since taken on a new appreciation for life... being able to walk.... run....... play tennis..... and just hitting the ball is a thrill!!!!

It was like fire... the fall air, clean and clear, playing tennis and watching the matches on a perfect night.

Meanwhile two courts down Baron and Taras were continuing and ongoing rivalry. Both have won matches off the other, with Baron winning most recently at the Utah Dual in the Desert weeks ago. Taras was shooting to redeem himself this evening, and as usual he did not quit for one second. But neither did Baron who had the patience to keep the ball in play with some excellent heavy top spin lobs until eventually he drove the point home with the pace he is capable of providing. He mixed it up. And while Taras played an excellent second set and hits a very nice forehand, Baron was consistently getting ball after ball back into play. Courtside to watch his student was Stacy Darling Open Doubles Champion and former touring professional Misha Yevtich , who is also the Monte Carlo Tennis Club and Resort tennis professional.

  Both sets of parents were on the edges of their sets and at the end of a good day of competition shook hands understanding that the boy's had earned each others respect.. And it was Howard Tubin who before, during and after the game offers all his players words of wisdom... that no one has the power to make you upset... Maintaining one's focus and disposition  is paramount to self satisfaction on and off the court. In fact that is the only true satisfaction. Allowing points in a game to make you "Happy" or "Sad" is foolish, as even the best players in the world eventually lose. But what is never lost, and a win you can always count on,  is the one within yourself. And this win can bring you much more then a trophy. It is something obtained by adhering to what you know is right , staying focused, calm and alert, not allowing the eb's and flows of match play to pull you from your seat. And this is a 100% obtainable each match. It does not mean you will always win. But you will know if you don't it was not due to an inner breakdown.

Doing what is right, maintaining your dignity on and off the court will carry you through a myriad of experiences all throughout your life, from dealing with spouses, children, "Boss's",  co workers and the variety of challenges of day to day life. If you choose to overcome the perceived pressures on the court then you can overcome them anywhere. And that is what being a champion is all about.

So tomorrow, Sunday,  Baron Giuffria will defend his Desert Palm "Title" as he won the Desert Palm tournament earlier this summer.

Another player that stands out to me is Cameron Parker, not because he has an excellent game. That means nothing to me. It is the character of a person that counts, and as Howard Tubin said, "Cameron has been playing my tournaments since he was as young as that boy over there", and he pointed to one of the 11 year old players. And "He has always been a class act." I always refer back to when I first met Cameron and when he heard about the web site he was one of the few person's who saw the value in what was being created. He expressed such interest and an inquisitiveness that is quite rare. Why is it rare? I have no idea. But this player has no attitude, although he is one of the best players in town, regardless of age. Just this past weekend Dan Knight held his tournament at Spanish Trail for the adults and he said how when he was young before playing at UNLV, the juniors just played amongst each other, and if you lost one day, you were ready to play them again the next day. And eventually everyone's game was challenged and yesterday's "push over" was today's winner or challenger. They developed through play. Now many player's do not enter the tournaments, or even play high school tennis under the false pretence that they are above it or some other false excuse. Not that everyone should play high school and every tournament around. That is not my point. But to not play based on a false sense of pride or fear is foolish. If Cameron Parker plays, why can't you. You are not better then him!, And if you believe you are well step up and play him in high School tennis or the many local tournaments. Or just contact him through this sites "Junior Find a Match" and "A-List", which lists players who are willing to play other players.

Click here to see the VegasTennis.com Cameron Parker page with links to all his articles on this site and other sites.

Dean Stavri, another local standout is in the tournaments, and will be playing Cameron on Monday to see who takes the number one trophy. Dean has not only played in a number of the local tournaments, but often enter the open draw in the adult tournaments. If you have seen his forehand it is a bullet. 

Sunday Finals

Jonathan Ribaste wins again, as he took the Lorenzi tournament last week, the Desert Palm earlier this Summer and now, today he played Yoann Mironenko and won in two sets 6-3, 6-4. At Lorenzi weeks ago I was unable to make it as I played in the Red Rock Tournament. So Jonathan's mother was the VegasTennis.com reporter for the day taking pictures and bringing them to me at my finals match on Sunday. I was able to get a few video shots on the first night of the Lorenzi Tournament and I did a partially edited video highlights reel that is now viewable on this site. Click here to see the Lorenzi video highlights and highlights from other matches. 

 

It should be noted that Bruno Rodriguez and his wife and two daughters have moved out of town. They were an intricate part of the junior tennis scene and are now doing the same thing in another city. Perhaps we will hear from them once again!

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Virginie Rodriguez

Playing in the 14 and under final was the twin brothers Angel and Michael Gestov, both of which always are complete gentleman on the court. I wrote in length about the way Angel carried himself in the consolation final at Club Sports Summer Kick-Off earlier this year, and today I can write that Michail showed the same depth of character, and in the same matter of fact way. It is not something you act or do for accolades, but something that naturally comes from decent character. He played a 100%, both of them, but as the match was going on and afterwards he was thrilled. I don't believe in losing. When I play I am 100% there and serious, with a smile inside, but serious. And these two were serious. But there is a way to lose, and even face adversity that can make a player stronger, or that can not shake them from stability. And that is what Michail did, as he grinned throughout his whole face you would have thought he won. And that is what winning is.

It is not over when you lose...... It is only over when you quit                                            No Quit

Patrick Kawka won today's boy's 12 and under final with some excellent play against Baron Giuffria. Baron used a simular top spin lob shot that worked last night but Patrick had the ability to time and time again take the ball on the rise and send it back into play with excellent pace, control and placement. It was Patrick that played Angel Gestov in the consolation final of the Club Sport Summer Kickoff earlier this summer and he showed then what he showed today, the willingness to never quit. His father is the coach and key presence in his son's game, addressing not only the strokes but the principles of play, one of which he explained perfectly. That no matter what calls another player makes once you start making judgments as to what they should or should not have called, you are now lost in the mental instead of being aware of the game at hand. 

 

Psychology of Tennis Hooking????????????????? I myself play and have been faced with a player who believed I called a ball "out" that was in, yet I know it was out. Perhaps even sometimes I may see it wrong, but honestly that was my call. And when I see an opponent call a ball "out" on me, that seems "in" ,  I don't let myself believe the "Thoughts" which claim I am being cheated. And I surely do not take the next step and  believe they were intentionally cheating me.  No matter what calls another player makes, once you start making judgments as to what they should or should not have called, you are now lost in the mental instead of being aware of the game at hand. It is each players choice to buy into these judgments, believe them and then take on the angst..... or....... to see them for the judgments they are and let them go. This is part of mental toughness.   All it takes is for one person to accuse you of cheating when you know you are not,  to see how unwise it is to accuse another person of cheating. The truth is .... only the player making the call knows what is right for them to call. They are right on top of it and no cross court or sideline view is better. They may even call it wrong, as linesmen do all the time,.... but honestly.  Click here to read the other Psychology of tennis articles

In the Boy's 10 and under it was Christopher Yee who defended his Desert Palm number one position as he won the tournament earlier this summer and Brian Foley took second this tournament and the last one. Brian's dad Jeff Foley, who is also the tennis Director at Red Rock Country Club, came to watch his son play. This after he was also at Spanish Trail this morning to watch his Red Rock Ladies play in the adult tournament finals. He has a team that won the ladies 3.5 and 4.0. If you want to read all the details of the Adult tournament at Spanish trail click here.

In the 16 and under it was Stephany Sorrano who took second place and Alison Ramos who took first place. Alison is a top 10 nationally ranked player in the girls 12 out of California. She came to town and played up two divisions. Apparently she played excellent tennis stunning many of the onlookers, including tournament Director Howard Tubin who has seen almost all the top players in the Valley.. Stephany is also ranked in the intermountain, but this young girl had a lot of weapons and was able to win in two sets 6-1, 6-4. Stephany had to settle for second place.

Amelia Martinez, who's whole family was on hand almost the whole tournament, showed up today giving Sarah Alamshaw a good match. Sarah was the winner of the last Desert Palm tournament she played in and this time she had to take second place. It went three sets and was on center court as both parents watched with anticipation. The final score was 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Amelia's brother also played and won a trophy in the boy's 12. TThey have been only playing tennis since this summer and their father said "They love the sport." They also play competitive soccer as well.  Amelia has won the consolation round in the last two Lorenzi tournaments and now took first place at Desert Palm which was only her third tournament. Their father said he play's the game as well, and did so as a youth on the Red Clay in Argentina. Perhaps Marty Hennessy one day will have a junior tournament on the clay courts at the private tennis club at  Turnberry Place. 

Jimmy Lovett won both the 12 and 14 and under consolation draw. Both his Mom and Dad were there to support his game. The two of them also play tennis at the 4.0 level. Jimmy was on the Sectional championship Spanish Oaks team two years ago that made it to nationals and Theresa plays on the Club Sport team. Maybe we can have a tournament of juniors and their parents? Or something like that. Why not?

I have an idea.... but instead of saying it... and just talking... I will store it, and you will know it when it is done!

Alexys Garrett had an excellent final at Summerlin where she came up taking second place, but not today. It was her tournament to defend as she won earlier in the season and her parents, one of which is also a 4.0 player 9her dad), were there to watch every point. She played Chelsey Anderson and won in two sets.

Then walks in Farwa Husain with her own unique style of play... as it should be. The greatest are not taught but discover. And what they discover is imitated. But the original is never an imitation. I watch a player and see something I like and intuitively can piece together a game. This is not imitation but my own "seeing" it and something clicks like "I can do that." In fact watching Patrick Kawka today I have picked up something for myself, this hitting the ball on the rise, but it was not something told to me to discover, but something that was discovered at the exact right time. The coach that can listen and confirm what a player is discovering then provide them with the opportunity to use it is wise. This is not a mental process but an intuitive process........ to know and understand without thinking.

Thinking tennis does nothing but interfere with a player playing the game. Someone with the most technically "beautiful" "Ground strokes" in practice means nothing until you get on the court. At which point it is Patience and execution, no thing, just doing.

Farwa I have seen numerous times playing singles and doubles down at Baskin Park with grown men, and just last week I saw her and Joshua Thompson, who is also in the 18 and under draw, playing there. She has no problem keeping up with these more mature players and today she showed she could hold her own in the 14 and under's winning the number one trophy. Her opponent taking second was Jaquelyn Tang. Jacquelyn also won the 16 and under consolation.

Ally Kenney won the girl's 12 and under consolation with some excellent play against Nisha Khilnani. Both her parents were courtside as usual. Also winning a consolation finals was Veronica Kawka, making that two trophy's for the Kawka family. She played  Meagan Medick and won an excellently played match 6-2, 6-3. Meagan's mother was there to watch as well, showing up after she just finished playing three sets of tennis herself. She play's 4.0 tennis on three league teams, one of which will represent Nevada this coming November 8th-10th at the Intermountain Mixed doubles sectionals, which is being held at UNLV.

It was Dam Yee who closed up the tournament this afternoon at 4:30. Howard Tubin was courtside last night, yesterday, the night before and all today making sure his event went well. And out of all the play what stands out to me were the principles addressed, the electric blue hats and the excellent pick up tennis game Friday night. That is what tennis clubs should be, spontaneous places to pick up a game.