The Monte Carlo casino tennis club had it's first and only junior tournament of the year this weekend, with players from as far as Utah coming to participate. Jessica Carter and her family and Jade Frampton and her family both came into town and made their presence known with Jade winning the girl's 10 and under and Jessica winning a finalist trophy in the girl's 16 and under. Las Vegas junior tennis draws are starting to gain momentum, starting with Marty Hennessy's Junior circuit which set a record 192 entries. VegasTennis.com helped promote the event with e-mail alerts, web site ads and tournament posters. Marty did an excellent job of recruiting local players in high school and many who may otherwise not play most of the events. Players, parenst who have never played as well, should realiz it only takes a short time before you become a contender. Look at Lenny Whiting, Brett Campo and players like them who in just 1-2 years have become a presence in local tournaments. Then there are players like Cristala Andrews who have been playing for 4 years and are now nationally ranked and sponsored by HEAD. It does not take a lifetime to play and compete on a high level. Many players like Ernestine Micalt, Gabrielle Gibson, The Murphy girls, Valerie Shively, Ted Shively, Joshua Thompson, Spencer Aguiar, Ramon Montez are starting the challenge the big winners like Veronica Kawka, Jonathan Ribaste, Julia Baltas, and Dean Stavri.

Division Champion Finalist Score Girls 12  Danielle Ingwaldson Chelsee Anderson 6-0, 6-2 Girls 14 Alexys Garrett Gabrielle Gibson 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 Girls 16 Aziza Aba Butain Jessica Carter 6-4, 6-4 Boys 10 Mitchell Smith Mathew Cuellar 6-2, 6-3 Boys 12 Patrick Kawka Taras Motsny 1-6, 6-2, 10-5 Boys 14 Jonathan Ribaste Ted Shively 6-4, 6-2 Boys 16 Ian Magid Ramon Montez 6-1, 6-1 Boys 18 Joshua Thompson Dean Stavri 6-4, 3-6, 10-6

Cristala Andrews is back in town being coached by Tim Blenkiron and her father as she discovered that this team is as good if not better then any out there. There is no reason why Las Vegas should not have excellent competition for the beginners, intermediate and the most competitive in the crowd. It is just a matter of making it happen. I am running the upcoming Desert Palm tournament with Howard Tubin and am looking to recruit the best players and make sure the draw is something worth entering. The players are here , it is just a matter of getting them all to play. For some reason the better players stopped being in local draws and over time the competition level has died off. Soon the better players no longer play locally because the competition they want stays at home. There is a remedy to this, as there is competition in Las Vegas it is just a matter of getting them in the draw.

To sign up for the Desert Palm tournament which is next, this February 26-March 2nd, call me at 822-1081 or Howard at 368-2800, or click here to e-mail me.

Running the Monte Carlo tournament is Misha Yetvich, the Director of Tennis at the Monte Carlo, and Ted Shively, the pro shop manager and teaching pro. VegasTennis.com helped promote the event and Marty Hennessy allowed myself and Ted to recruit players at his circuit to fill the draw of this event. And it worked. This event grew by almost 30% from last years draw. The total number of players came to be 85. Many players were hesitant as the limited courts situation at the Monte Carlo has left players waiting in past years for a court, and this year it almost went perfectly with opening night running on time and smooth. Yet Friday night and Saturday was backed up. Potential solutions for the next event was to start the tournament on a Wednesday or to use some courts from another tennis club nearby. But all in all, Saturday was some nice tennis as those who were waiting for the courts had to sit and watch matches in a pool side setting. More below ad.....

At the Monte Carlo you had a mixture of bothered parents with a few delayed matches coupled with the tennis club atmosphere this delay inspired in the players and parents who then settled down into getting to know one another. Players were jumping rope, making up sideline tennis games and watching the matches that were playing. A few longer then expected matches created a delay in play and some waiting time for parents and kids, yet the Monte Carlo is a great environment to wait around in. There are plenty of shops, pool, and sitting areas. The waiting time allowed for other things like watching the VegasTennis.com Stirling circuit video. If you want a copy of the Stirling Club video call 822-1081 or e-mail me at VegasTenniscom@aol.com. Copies can be made for $30.00 each. 

 Instead of being in and out, separate , the players were introduced to one another and many found new hitting partners, and that is one of the benefits of tournament play. But when you have events that hold no camaraderie, the players stay in their separated existence. They come and leave separated, never opening new doors for increased competition. 

But this weekend numbers were exchanged, doubles partners were created, many new acquaintances made and old ones reinforced. All of which may have never taken place had the matches all been "On time." This is not to say Misha and Ted were satisfied with the court delays. Both had mentioned ways in which this can be avoided going forward. In fact from what I sensed, Ted and Misha brought to this event this year a whole new attitude of making it the best it can be. From accommodating last minuet draw entries, accepting payment at check in, having sandwiches and food for the players and parents Saturday and Sunday, along with taking digital photos, but most of all it was the enjoyment you could see Ted and Misha had in putting this event on. Some tournament Directors do it begrudgingly, going through the motions. With Ted and Misha this was not the case. Ted was there from early morning till late night almost every day. Misha was there most of the time and showed zero signs of stress, in fact had the most enjoyable look on his face that I have ever seen on him. Especially the last day where he was taking photos of the tournament winners, fans and players. He gave me a CD Rom with the photos, of which can be viewed by clicking the photos link at the top of the page. 

Misha Yevtich has been running this pool side tennis club for almost 6 years. Misha came from Caesars Palace where he was a tennis pro. One day when he worked at Caesars management came out and told him Caesars had chosen to end an era and rip up the tennis courts. Prior to that Misha played tennis all over Europe and in the states at UNLV college. Since he has kept up his game by teaching tournament players and has at times entered local tournaments. In fact, He and Nenad won one of the biggest doubles tournaments of the year at Stacy Darling. Nenad was # 1 in the country for doubles as a sophomore in college and played #1 singles for UNLV. Ted has been around tennis his whole life, just remembering the other day the many hours he spent as a kid hitting tennis balls against his garage.

These three have clinics every day from 10:00am-11:30am for $15.00. This includes drills and sometimes match play with locals and large number of tourists. Tourists come from all over the world and when they come to town they have few places to play in Bally's, Flamingo and the Monte Carlo. 

There is also a junior/adult clinic on Tuesday's from 6:30-8:00pm. This is also $15.00.

Friday night tennis was challenging and late with Blake Lamberth and Joshua Thompson playing a very close three set match 7-5, 3-6, 10-8. In the boys 12 was Chris Tanaka winning a great three setter(quasi third set) against Devon Morrissey 6-4, 4-6, 11-9. Jason Harper had a good win against Derek Jackson 6-3, 6-4. 

Max Chesnoff won in two sets 6-4, 6-3 against the newcomer in town Oliver Becerra who just entered boys 12's for the first time. Max later fell to home court player Taras Motsny who has Misha as a coach. Max gave Taras a hard time in the first forcing a tie breaker in the first then Taras took over 6-2 in the second.

A new comer who showed himself to be an early presence giving the number one seed Patrick Kawka a hard time was Kyle Smith. Kyle is "An excellent athlete" who took Patrick to 5-7 in the first set before losing 6-1 in the second.

Saturdays action was highlighted by home court player Ted Shively junior, who took to the court today a new found seriousness that he nurtured at Marty's third circuit. Just recently he has begun  "No fast food" to refine his training regimen. This paid off in the first set with a 6-1 first set win but then lost the second set 6-4 after Ian stepped up his game. The final score was Ian Magid winning in three 1-6, 6-4, 10-4. Ted Shively also had an excellent closely fought match in the boy's 14 draw against local standout Alex Zara. This final score was 6-3, 5-7, 10-7.

Another great Match was Brett Campo who lost in three sets to Ramon Montez. This was an excellent well fought match settled in the super tie breaker 5-7, 7-6, 10-4.

Also new to the tennis scene is young 9 year old Mathew Cuellar, who's dad also is the Director of Operations at the Monte Carlo. He won his first ever 10 and under tournament match 6-2, 6-3 against another first time player Pascal Nilsson.

Stoljanka Pantic won a very close first round match against Sara Eckhardt winning a very close 7-5, 4-6, 10-5. This before coming against local standout and tournament dominator Aziza Aba Butain. Aziza won both the 16 and 18 and under divisions in Marty Hennessy's circuit tournament. She has been exemplary in playing all the events and for players like this I have been working to get some better competition in these draws. There is no reason why , if all the great players enter, Las Vegas can have an incredible tournament scene.; where players from out of state come here, their parents for tourism and their children for good tournament competition and hospitality.

And the hospitality at these events is getting better and better. My open draw at Bally's had fresh squeezed orange juice, smoothies, carrot juice, bananas, almonds, corn chips and dried fruit. Hennessy's 2nd circuit final had fresh squeezed orange juice and tea out for the players and fans and now Misha had a layout of free sandwiches for the guests and players. There is no reason why each event should not be a first class affair.

Sara Toti and Danielle Ingwaldson, who won the Hennessy Circuit, had a great 1st round win then a 2nd round loss to Sara Toti who is now ranked number 1 in the girls 12 and under. The finals score was Sara winning 7-5, 6-7, 10-7. This was close and well played.

Alicia Karafa, coming off a tournament rest came through the 2nd round in a good match against Danica Ingwaldson 6-4, 6-3. Alicia and her  brother Alan are one of the many success story's that have come out of Rick Storozick and Saad Ashraaf's Mission Hills tennis program.

Another home court player is Stoljanka Pantic, who, from Yugoslavia, speaks Misha's native tongue. She had a great first round match in the girls 16's.

Sunday Finals at Monte Carlo was full of sun and worth while tennis. In the girls 14 finals there was strong competition with two players playing in their first 14's final. The final between Alexis Garrett and Gabrielle Gibson was a three set split with the first set going to Alexis 6-2, the second to Gabrielle 6-3 and Alexis took an early lead in the tie breaker 9-2, before Gabrielle won 6 straight points to almost tie. But Alexis won the final and key point to win her first ever 14's finals trophy. She has been working with Zdenek Cernoch at Canyon Gate in private lessons for years. Zdenek moved here years ago after being a philosophy professor in Europe and came to the states not knowing an ounce of English. Over the last few years bit by bit he has taught himself the language. Gabrielle plays over at Bally's with David Pate, and after playing the 14 and 16's draw walked home a finalist.

Also over at Bally's with David Pate is Aziza Aba Butain, who has been working with David for years. Her grandmother was on hand to watch Aziza take another champions trophy. She played the St. George standout Jessica Carter today she who comes into town every now and then for some competition, and today she got it. These two played in the semifinals last summer and that day Jessica beat Aziza, but today Aziza extracted revenge by winning in two sets 6-4, 6-4. Jessica was the only competition Aziza had this event as she breezed through the draw.

In the girls 12 final Daniella Ingwaldson was present again , winning in two sets 6-0, 6-2. Her opponent and finalist was the hard hitting Chelsee Anderson, who has just recently come back into tournament play. She plays with Ken Shioi over at TPC. She showed me the tennis notebook that ken has them make with phone numbers of all the players she can call to play and information on an inter club ladder that inspires competition and match play.

In the girl's 10 Final Jade Frampton traveling in once again from St. George, won her first 10 and under # 1 trophy winning in two sets against Toby Miclat who took home the finalists trophy.

Dix Frampton brings his daughter Jade into town often to play in local events and this time brought his two daughters who have a talent of their own, they sign and have won singing contests held locally here with girls from all over the country. To hear their music go to their website, "THE FRAMPTONS" by clicking here.

Winning the boy's 16 and under was Ian Magid, playing Ramon Montez in two sets 6-1, 6-1. Ian is one of the few players with the two handed forehand and backhand, and today it worked. It just goes to Jonathan Ribaste, who won the "Most improved" player of the year from the Nevada Tennis Association,and today won the boy's 14 and under in two sets against Ted Shively jr. This was a two set final ending 6-4, 6-2.

Taras Motsny had Patrick Kawka up against the wall in the first set winning 6-1. Then Patrick came on fire and won the second set 6-2. The "Third set " super tie breaker" went Patrick's way 10-5.

Taras has been playing with Misha ever since last Monte Carlo tournament last year. Every day almost, Taras and his dad come to the Monte Carlo to hone his game. 

The consolation finals had Gabrielle Gibson winning the girl's 14 and under defeating Racquel Martinez 8-5. Jesse Capps wins  defeating Matt Perkins 8-2 in the boys 14 and under. 

In the boys 18 and under final it is Joshua Thompson, who is one of the most improved players of the year, against Dean Stavri, who has also increased his tournament prowess this year. But today the hard hitting, two handed forehand player Joshua Thompson stunned the Stirling Club Two time Champion Dean Stavri, cutting short Dean's opportunity to win his third Monte Carlo tournament in three years. 

Dean won the first set 6-4, then Joshua went on fire forcing errors with his consistent power. Both these player have pace and I have witnessed them develop over the last year and a half. It was a year and a half ago I first saw Joshua Thompson at Baskin park practicing and taking on the adult players there. Then he had pace but little consistency. Yet this past Pumpkin tournament he showed he is no joke by going as far as any Nevada player in the 18's draw, and this amongst some of the best competition in the Intermountain six state region.

I wrote about him then as a up and coming challenge to the best players in his field and today he proved me right winning in the super tie break with the finals score 6-4, 3-6, 10-6. Joshua's brother, mother and family were on hand to watch him win and his father withstood absurd cold weather the other night to watch him through his earlier rounds. His father has been his coach for years playing matches with him at Baskin park, and just this past year it was Joshua who played with a new found enthusiasm because he was led to. 

As for Dean Stavri, in defeat he showed his true colors as a sincere gentleman. Many players can act humble and content after winning, but a man's true character is tested when things don't go the way they "Plan." Dean having won many of the local tournaments this year could have made excuses, been upset or acted foolishly as some do when they lose, yet, as his coach Owen Hambrook said just days earlier, "Dean is a good kid and deserves it." Owen was referring to Dean having won the trip to Scottsdale, Arizona to see the pros play at the Franklin Templeton and an automatic entry into the Mutterspaw National Championships. He recieved this by winning Hennessy's Stirling Club Circuit.

 I recently heard that the NTA handed out some awards to juniors and having witnessed a lot of these players over this season Dean is one that stands out as a Gentleman of the court. The same is true for Sara Toti, Devon Morrissey, the always having fun Lauren Anspach and always poised Jason Harper. Winning the Nevada Tennis Association sportsmanship award was Jacquelyn Tang.

UNOFFICIAL AWARDS

Many players have their own attributes and many of these attributes were not mentioned in the awards handed out, like Gabrielle Gibson's willingness to stay focussed on and off the court, Alexys Garrett's fighting spirit, Alicia Karafa's consistent and patience accent through draws, Alec Runyon and Austin and Carrie Schofield's gamesmanship, The Ingwaldson's consistent presence at every event, Joshua Thompson, Brett Campo and Lenny Whiting's recent progress, Blake Lamberth's unwillingness to quit, to play and to fight, Ernestine Miclat's new found serious dedication, Farwa Husain's self taught "Simple" excellence, Danielle Ingwaldson's humble domination of gilrs 12's, The Murphy's almost always presence, and many other players and inside stories that you and I may not  be aware of. 

Each parent, players knows of a tale or story that illustrates how tennis or this environment has made changes for the better in their lives. And this knowing is all that counts. It does not matter if another person sees this change in you, it does not matter what others think or believe, only that you are doing and playing the game you know to be right. If you happen to get an award or are mentioned in an article on this site or somewhere else, o.k. fine, but if not that should be fine too, as you are not defined by what others believe about you but from what you know about how you handle this game called life. If you are doing what you know to be right and are forthright in all you do, then a satisfaction much deeper then the approval of others is born and it can not be taken away or tarnished through age. This is the trophy and award that is within each of us and available at any time. Take it , it is yours each and every time you are true to yourself. It is not over when you lose, it is only over when you quit.

One of the award handed out by the Nevada Tennis Association is for the most promising player, nut only one award is handed out.  Yet this valley has many, including the before mentioned players along with Cameron Parker, Lew Deleon, Sabrina Cappanollo, Ryan Gormley, Brandon Parker, Brian Miller, Rishi Daulat, Aashish Daulat, Cristala Andrews, Catrina and Christian Thompson, Brian Kenyon, Stan Breland, Brian Foley, Aziza Aba Butain, Allison Davis, Alec Runyon, Stan Breland, Asia Muhammad, Candynce Boney, Julia Baltas, Farwa Husain, Dean Stavri, Chris Wilson, Alexys Garrett, Dominique Aubry, Estefania Serrano, Cameron Linden, Brandon Kurtz, Patrick and Veronica Kawka, Taras Motsny, Jimmy Lovett, Shauna Morgan and many others I am sure I have left out. Point is Las Vegas has a good size draw of talent and if these players are pooled together more often, and are willing to challenge one another and be patient with the players who are chomping at their knees, soon the valley will be filled with talent that is always rising instead of hibernating. VegasTennis.com is one place you can come back to find out how tennis is going to be pulled together into one far moving force in the next couple of years.  I am working with the tennis professionals, parents and players to make tennis in Las Vegas one strong cohesive unit. Through event promotion and reporting, along with the video highlights, photos and "Find a Match" section of this site, I am beginning to make an impact on the size of these draws and the quality of the events and competition. It all begins with the next draw at Desert Palm and Spanish Trail.  To sign up call me at 822-1081 or Howard Tubin at 368-2800. To sign up to play in the Open doubles, mixed doubles or singles at Spanish Trail call 367-2711.

Tuesday night clinic 6-7:30pm at the Monte Carlo for adults and juniors. Right now the Kurtz's, Taras Motsny, and many other juniors come and play.