Summerlin Junior Tennis Tournament Results

By Ryan Wolfington

VegasTennis.com

On a perfect sunny day out at the Summerlin Tennis Club, there were basketball games, cookouts, and tournament tennis. Sunday was the finals of their first tournament this year where they had a record 115 person draw for the men's and Ladies 10, 12, 14, 16, & 18 under. The tournament featured a back Draw which allowed all participants 2 losses before being eliminated. The club pro, Gordon Hammond was very much involved, chatting with each player, setting the line up, presenting trophies and even umpiring a few games. All in all, Las Vegas Junior tennis is thriving, with people willing to embrace a well run tournament like this to test their metal.

Watching the matches my first impression was at how well the players hit, in all the age groups. Having played often and at many levels down at Baskin Park, I would put many of the "Teens" I saw today up against any of them. They hit hard and place the ball well.

The only downside? A few of the players, just like a few of the adults and poor mannered "Pro's" on the tour, have not chosen to be in control of their game. For some reason they have believed the false notion that losing control by giving into the voice of frustration will help their game. If doing so helped a person's game or life for that matter, I might try it myself. But it does not. It only  dries a person's character while posing as fuel. But this fuel backfires. We see time and time again players who try rage as a tool, it  tools them, by bringing them a difficult life or by taking down their focus in the match. This type of behavior is not only accepted by some fans and parents alike, but encouraged. This is weakness, and regardless how powerful the ground stroke, if a person is fooled into believing that which drains them is giving them energy, then they can be fooled into anything. For those who are playing against this kind of behavior you must use it to your advantage by not following suit.

Apart from the very few incidents of this "Safin"(See relevant article) like behavior, the other 99% of the participants displayed perfect character far beyond what I am accustom to in the "Adult" tournaments. There were numerous sign of goodwill, showing the participants at this tournament were by and large, young gentleman and ladies.  I noticed the ease in which those who had just lost spoke to the person who just defeated them. There was no sign of upset or resentment. I saw players who commented on and enjoyed great shots by other players as if they had made the shot themselves. In many ways these players, by having the right attitude, embodied what the game is about.  Not only in their actions but in their lack of reactions.

And that is what the joy of life is...to do it with class, and at the end have no regrets.

This is the first junior tournament I have ever seen , and it was insightful to see that the many challenges that are on the court for adults are equally as present with the younger players. And in the end, whether you are a junior or older, there will always be the challenge to be right or to lose to the pressure. And that is what makes it a great, giving each of us the opportunity to win inside.

Ryan

VegasTennis.com

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FINAL SCORES

Click here to see Juniors Rankings for the USTA......Many local junior players have made the Regional Rankings.