25-Sep-2012
Rhyne Williams Matures with the Vols and Hits Pro Circuit
As a junior tennis player, the two things Rhyne Williams was most
known for was his superior talent and his wild temper. As an
18-year-old, Williams chose college tennis at Tennessee over
professional tennis. After a successful run for the Volunteers as
a sophomore - winning the Indoors and reaching the finals of the
NCAA tournament - Williams felt the time was right to turn pro.
24-Sep-2012
Life in the Pros for Christina McHale
Making the decision to turn professional is never easy for anyone.
Christina McHale gave it a long consideration before making the move
two years ago. Today, McHale has exceeded her career expectations.
She's currently ranked 24 in the world, has represented the United
States in the London Olympics, and has been a member of four Fed Cup
teams.
18-Jul-2012
Brian Baker's Comeback Captivates US Juniors
Ten years ago, Brian Baker was playing the Wimbledon Juniors with
hopes and dreams for a professional tennis career. But a series of
health issues dashed those dreams. Just over a year ago, at age 26,
Baker finally felt ready to take another shot at professional tennis.
After some early successes, Baker went through qualifying at Wimbledon
without dropping a set, then won three more matches to bring his ATP
ranking to 76.
18-Apr-2011
Talking With Jesse Levine
If you've followed American junior and college tennis over the past few years, you
probably recognize the name Jesse Levine. After a stellar junior
career, Levine played college tennis at Florida, where he was named
ITA Rookie of the Year while leading the team to the round of 16 and
making the quarters in both singles and doubles. Harry Cicma of NBC
Sports sat down with the former Gator and current ATP pro.
2-Mar-2011
Eric Butorac Makes Huge Statement for Division III
Junior players who are focused on turning professional almost
always look exclusively at NCAA Division I schools when they are
considering colleges. But playing in another division doesn't have to
mean you don't stand a chance of having a career in pro tennis. Eric
Butorac is one player who has proven that.
9-Feb-2011
Talking With Florida's Ryan Sherry
In college tennis, all six singles matches have the same value. Just
ask Ryan Sherry, who played for the Florida Gators from 2002 through
2006. As a junior, Sherry posted a 23-2 record at No. 6 singles. He
had the distinction of clinching every match for the Gators at the
2005 SEC Tournament in Athens, Ga., and he was named the MVP of the
event. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports recently sat down to talk with Sherry.
22-Dec-2010
Taylor Dent: An Inspiration to Anyone
I love watching sports, I love playing sports, and I appreciate and
respect athletes that play the game with energy, passion, and
dedication. These are the values that I try and instill in my students
and staff every single day at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
Having Taylor Dent practicing on courts right next to them is a breath
of fresh air to our students.
13-Dec-2010
Harry Cicma Goes One-on-One with John Isner
American tennis fans - and college fans in particular - have loved
watching the development of John Isner. He has made great strides in
his game, and his rankings reflect that progress - since turning pro
in 2007, his year-end ranking has gone from 106 (2007) to 144
(2008) to 34 (2009). He currently stands at No. 19, with hopes to
climb higher. Harry Cicma recently chatted with Isner about college
and pro tennis.
29-Nov-2010
Catching Up with Sukhwa Young
Harry Cicma recently got the chance to sit down with Sukhwa Young, a
former Georgia Tech player and ATP professional tennis player. Cicma
and Young talked about junior, college, and professional tennis.
23-Jul-2010
Catching Up with Vinay Bhamidipati
Harry Cicma recently got the chance to sit down with Vinay
Bhamidipati, a former New Jersey high school state champion who went
on to play college tennis at Columbia. Cicma and Bhamidipati talked
about junior and college tennis, life after competitive tennis, and
how tennis has helped prepare him for life.
22-Jun-2010
Former Rutgers Captain Greg Schweitzer
Greg Schweitzer served as captain and played #1 at Rutgers
University. After a successful college career, Schweitzer went on
to earn a #75 world doubles ranking on the ATP tour. Harry Cicma
caught up with Schweitzer to talk about his career, the significance
of Rutgers and NCAA tennis, and advice he would give to junior tennis
players today.
7-Dec-2009
Q&A with Carlos Brandon Florez
For freshman Carlos Brandon Florez, opportunity came knocking almost
as soon as he donned the Saluki maroon and white in fall 2009. The
number one player of the team graduated and the next in line was out
with an injury. Ali Jones caught up with Florez during the holiday
break to talk tennis, school, and his new life away from his family.
9-Oct-2009
WTA Tour Player Julie Ditty Looks Back on Vanderbilt With Fond Memories
If you are going to miss your induction into your alma mater's Hall of
Fame, competing in the US Open certainly qualifies as a valid excuse.
Former Vanderbilt star and current WTA Tour player Julie Ditty was
competing in the main draw of the women's doubles event at the US Open
during her scheduled induction ceremony, so Ditty's family accepted
the award on her behalf.
27-Aug-2009
Where Are They Now? Paul Goldstein
Few Kalamazoo competitors are remembered as fondly as Paul Goldstein,
who won three consecutive singles titles at the USTA Boys Nationals,
winning the 16s in 1992, and the 18s in 1993 and 1994. Add a doubles
title with Scott Humphries in 1994, and his sportsmanship award in
1992, and it's little wonder Goldstein was welcomed like an old friend
when he returned to Kalamazoo several weeks ago for the professional
exhibition that opens the event.
3-Aug-2009
Conversation with Devin Britton
A year ago, Devin Britton was a Blue Chip senior in the Class of 2009.
After heading to Ole Miss in January to play the college dual season,
Britton is now the reigning NCAA singles champion - and he recently
made the decision to turn pro. Harry Cicma of NBC News caught up with
Britton to reflect on his recent past and look forward to the U.S.
Open.
2-Mar-2009
Interview with "The Big Bozz"
Last week I got to spend a couple days with "The Big Bozz" - former
Illini and NCAA Champion Amer Delic - at beautiful Amelia
National Country Club in Amelia Island, Fla. A couple days of
training, golf, and family time, helped the big guy recharge the
batteries and get the body to a higher tennis fitness level.
23-Feb-2009
1998 NCAA Champion Vanessa Webb
Vanessa Webb constantly looked for challenges as a young tennis
player: she was the NCAA women's singles champion in 1998, and she won
ten titles on the ITF women's circuit en route to a Top-100 ranking.
That same drive has led to success in the boardroom - where the Duke
and Wharton graduate already has a number of accomplishments in
international business. McCarton Ackerman caught up with Webb to reflect
on her tennis career and current endeavors.
4-Aug-2008
Max Mirnyi - A Tall Tale of Success
Max Mirnyi has been training at the Academy for seventeen years, and
he's left a footprint here at least the size of our 300 acres. The
6'5" Belarusian has been such a fixture here at the Academy for so
long that he is considered family. Young players all look up to him
(literally and figuratively) when he shows up to practice. Veteran
players, coaches, staff, all respect and admire his talents and his
character. But, I can remember when Max wasn't so tall or
recognizable.
12-Oct-2007
Conversation with John Isner
One of the best stories in American tennis over the past year is
that of John Isner. Hot on the heels of leading Georgia to a national
championship, Isner has had great success on the pro tour. Isner won
a string of three-set matches to reach the final of the Legg Mason
against Andy Roddick, and he followed that up by reaching the third round of the US
Open. Isner's successes have shined a bright light on college tennis.
Today, Isner takes time out to talk about his recent success.
6-Jul-2007
Conversation with West Nott
One of the most popular contributors at TennisRecruiting.net is West
Nott. West has something insightful to say on every tennis topic
because he has done it all: competed at the junior, collegiate, and
professional levels... played Davis Cup... coached both
junior and college athletes... and covered tennis as a member of the
media. And he is only in his mid-twenties. West took the time to
talk with us about his past accomplishments.
16-Feb-2007
Who's Driving the Bus? Talking with Andrew Park
An undeniable love and competitive passion for the game are two
intangible qualities of all great players, and Andrew Park showcases
all of these qualities. Andrew exhibited championship success at
every stage in his career - junior, collegiate, and professional. In
short, he captured the USTA Boys' 18 Hardcourt Nationals at Kalamazoo,
won a NCAA Team Championship with USC, and competed in the Main Draw
of the Men's US Open.
21-Dec-2006
Moving Up With Nick Monroe
For my money, it doesn't get much better than 24 year-old Nick Monroe.
Nick is the quintessential definition of perseverance and willingness
to change - all rolled into one. The former UNC standout has seen
progression in his game from a young age to where it is today, only
198 ranking spots shy of the top 100 ATP.
4-Dec-2006
Conversation with Ken Kigongo
Everyone in tennis seems to have an opinion about whether the top
junior players should opt to play college tennis or jump straight to
the professional ranks. One interesting voice in the crowd is that
of Ken Kigongo - the former standout at Michigan State. I got to chat
with Kigongo this summer about all things tennis - but especially his
decision to get his college degree.
25-Sep-2006
Conversation with Jewel Peterson
One of the most decorated players in the history of the USC tennis program is
Jewel Peterson (College Park, Georgia). Peterson led USC to the NCAA
quarterfinals three different times - and to four season-end rankings
of #11 or higher. She was a four-time ITA All-American, a two-time
Academic All-American, and she reached the semifinals of the NCAA
singles championships. We caught up with Peterson last month.
27-Mar-2006
Al Parker: A Most Amazing and Courageous Athlete
Back injuries have hampered or terminated the careers of many a great tennis player, like world champions Jack Kramer, Tony Trabert and Lew Hoad. They also impacted the winningest U.S. junior player of all time - Georgia's Middleton Albert (Al) Parker, Jr. Parker won a still-standing record of 25 USTA junior titles (13 in doubles and 12 in singles).
13-Feb-2006
Conversation with Cary Franklin
In this month's "Where Are They Now?" article, we catch up with former University of Illinois standout Cary Franklin. As a junior player in the mid-90's, Franklin climbed as high as #30 in the Boys 18s, winning the doubles event at the USTA International Grasscourts with partner Eddie Coates. Franklin played his college tennis at Illinois, where he was a three-time All-American.
2-Jan-2006
Conversation with Erin Burdette
In this month's Where Are They Now? article, we catch up with
Stanford University standout Erin Burdette. During her junior career,
Burdette was ranked as high as #1 in the USTA standings, finishing her
career in the top 10. Burdette went on to garner All-American honors
four times at Stanford - where she won NCAA championships in both
doubles and the team competition.
11-Aug-2005
Conversation with Lesley Joseph
Our first conversation is with 23-year-old Lesley Joseph who attended the University of Georgia from 1999 to 2003. As a junior, Joseph attained rankings of #2 (USTA Boys 16s), #5 (USTA Boys 18s), and Top 50 (ITF). He is currently playing tennis professionally on the ATP Circuit.
