Names Among the Names Southern California Tennis Association
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www.scta.usta.com SoSCTAuthern California Tennis Association newsSEPTEMBER 2004 Names Among The Names Mark Winters hile Gaston Gaudio and Anastasia Myskina, then Roger Federer of them had Southern California ties and each had experiences that Wand Maria Sharapova dominated the Roland Garros and were worthy of attention. Their stories, which follow, draw attention Wimbledon headlines, there were a number of other players that to players who are not normally showcased. They also indicate how performed impressively during the spring tennis season in Europe. All strong the game is in the section. .......................................................... Made It Through evin Kim and Marissa Irvin are Roland Garros. With victories over Tara grew up on the Westside,” Irvin revealed. Southern California junior stars Snyder and Dinara Safina, she ran the total Irvin is now involved in a rigorous pro- K who enjoyed short, but successful to 15 before losing in the third round to gram that includes cycling and weight train- intercollegiate careers (at UCLA and Lindsay Davenport 6-1, 6 - 4 (which was ing. “When I was on the tour and coming Stanford respectively), before moving on to Davenport’s 600th career singles victory). back from an injury, I wanted to find a for- the pros. During recent times, both have She is playing better because she is more mer cyclist, who was a trainer, because experienced ranking ups and downs. Irvin, at fit and working with Chuck Adams. “I knew cyclists are the fittest athletes,” Adams said. one time No. 54 in the world, was No. 145 of ‘Chucky’ (that’s what we called him) and He found Paul Pisani and has worked before qualifying and reaching the third Derrick Rostagno because they were the with the Los Angeles resident while he has round at Indian Wells. Kim, who reached best juniors in Southern California and they been coaching. “Paul makes me look good,” No. 130, has been a 200s Adams said.He added, resident. Both players, “Marissa is a good natural raised on hard courts, athlete who didn’t train much played intriguingly well, as a junior or in college. Now qualifying for the singles she is punching in from 9 to 5.” draws at Roland Garros on Kim has been punching in terre battue. ever since leaving UCLA in Last year, Irvin’s third 19 97. P laying Satellites and round performance in Paris Challengers, the former US was her best Grand Slam No. 1 Boy’s performer, (he ever. Having had an autumn won Kalamazoo in 1996), has to forget, she was forced to made his way without having play the “qualies” in 2004. sponsor backing. Time and “I’ve been working really again, he has been just short hard,” she said.“I’m compet- of major exposure having lost ing better because I under- in the last round of qualifying stand what I need to do.” at Roland Garros the past Irvin had a 13 match win two years and the same spot streak, including tourna- at Wimbledon, along with this ment wins at Raleigh and year’s Australian Open. “The Charlottesville, prior to Irvin is a fan of Paris in the spring. Photo: Susan Mullane (continued on next page) www.scta.usta.com Made It Through Kim added, “maybe it was the (continued from previous page) environment. It is probably the best stadium I’ve played in. The architec- tour has been quite difficult, but I am tural design is great. I am glad I got fortunate to have the support of my a chance to play there.” family,” Kim said. “Without them, it Irvin is playing less and having would have been easy to lose faith. more fun. “Chuck has helped me Not having regular success brings up make a more selective schedule,” she questions. You find yourself questioning said. “I’m going to places I enjoy. I real- a lot. When questions come up, you ly enjoy playing in the States. He has never know when to act.” also encouraged me to be focused At Roland Garros, Kim, ranked No. when I’m on court and to do silly and 208, played his first tour level event fun things when I’m off it.” since last year’s Mercedes-Benz Cup. Adams countered saying, “with On clay, his last tour level encounter Marissa, the idea is to keep her was Atlanta in 2000. Prior to Paris, the fresh. The goal is to play 15-20 tour- Bermuda Challenger, where he defeat- naments well, not 30 tournaments ed 2000 Roland Garros semifinalist with up and down results.” Franco Squillari in the quarterfinals Improvement is also a Kim before losing in the next round, was objective. “I need to touch up his 2004 performance highlight. everything,” he said. “I also need Against Sebastien Grosjean, the to hit a heavier ball and play No. 10 seed Frenchman, playing on smarter. I feel my game is coming Philippe Chatrier Center Court, Kim along and that it will get even wasn’t Kim, as the 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 indi- better with more work.’ cate. “I really wasn’t feeling the ball Concluding, Adams offered, like I did in the qualifying,” he said. “I “I’ve told Marissa, you live north of was a little nervous at the beginning; Montana, but you need to have a maybe a little confused. It wasn’t my south of Pico attitude. I think we are best tennis.” at Wilshire Boulevard and are slow- He continued, “Grosjean got a lot ly making our way south.” of balls back and did a lot with them. (Montana, Pico and Wilshire I hit a lot of them hard, but it didn’t Boulevard refer to streets in West make much difference.” Kim’s third visit to Roland Garros was a success. Photo: Fred Mullane Los Angeles near Santa Monica.) .......................................................... Having A Goal arcin Matkowski showed up for his interview at the be named next week. After Athens, we are going to spend more Gerry Weber Open, in Halle, Germany, wearing a UCLA time playing singles so that our rankings improve. Now, because M tennis shirt. It was hardly surprising, since he played for we have concentrated on doubles, it is hard to even get in the the Bruins from 2001 to ‘03. “Going to UCLA really helped me,” singles qualifying events at tournaments.” Matkowski said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it was some- Ranked No. 72 at the start of Halle, Fyrstenberg/Matkowski thing I wanted to do since I was 15 or 16.” dropped a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 first round encounter to Jiri Novak/Pavel Coming from Szczecin, Poland, the decision made a great deal Vizner of the Czech Republic. Though not happy with the loss, of sense. “I had made up my mind that I was going to college,” Matkowski was impressed with his inaugural visit to the Gerry he said. “There was nothing happening at home. The Polish Weber Open. Federation wasn’t able to help anyone, so it was an easy deci- He was similarly impressed with intercollegiate tennis, believ- sion.” ing it was a huge benefit and one of the reasons he is enjoying Matkowski left school shortly before the beginning of his sen- current success. “I had to improve my backhand,” he said. “I had ior year in pursuit of a goal. “The Federation said that we (Marius a pretty good serve, but I had to become more consistent. We Fyrstenberg and I) had to have a combined ranking of No. 160 to did weight training three times a week and I became stronger. be eligible for the Olympics,” he said. “We achieved it and should This made my serve faster and I got more free points.” 2 www.scta.usta.com Weiner’s A Winner lenn Weiner could write a book about his junior mates, Kevin Kim and Cecil Mamiit), competitive tennis experiences. At 10, the Weiner has f aced the “did you go too soon” cho- G Long Beach native was the subject of a rus. “Looking back, I have to admit I wasn’t burnout story because he won every match played ready,” he said. “I really didn’t have a work ethic. during a year. Always playing up throughout his jun- The key is not feeling guilty.Because I was ior career, he was No. 1 in the country in his first young, there were times when I did and times year in the 18s. His success provided the impetus when I didn’t. There were also times when I was for him to turn pro in 1995. scared to win and times when I was scared to From that point until I visited with him at loose.” Wimbledon, Weiner’s career had been like a ride Weiner, whose mother, Charmaine, has been on a roller coaster. There were thrilling highs, such responsible for organizing the Junior Sectional as his second round match against Richard Krajicek draws for years, has an engaging presence. in 1996 at the Mercedes-Benz Cup when he had Thoughtful and well-spoken, he measures a ques- four match points against the 1992-93 champion before losing 7-6 in tion, then responds with pleasing honesty.After dropping an ever-so- the third. Then there were the desperate lows brought about by a close 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 first round decision on the lawn to Spain’s shoulder injury that sideline him shortly after he joined the pro Fernando Verdasco, he said, “I wish I had played like I did in the ranks. And then, a hip problem in September of 2003 had Weiner qualies.