by Mike Gooding
The return of the US Professional singles playing for the Schochet Cup was a very welcome addition to the USCTA calendar. Typically held in June, the postponed 2021 version took place in October.
At the prescribed time, six weeks before the event’s start, the entry went out with hopes of a full draw. Hopes were dashed on the 10th of September when the IWCC removed the World ranking and race points from the tournament due to covid restrictions and cost of travel. Now, with that disappointing decision, the US Professional singles was going to be an all-domestic affair.
The fear with a diminished field was that the overall quality of play would be impacted, and as with so many things during the pandemic, this surely would be the result one would casually predict.
Not at all, as it turns out! As with so many things, the absence of a product or an experience only strengthens the resolve to attain or pursue with even greater vigor, and court tennis professionals were not immune to this phenomenon. It had seemed to trigger a renewed passion for the game and commitment to excellence in their games.
The match scheduled for the Northfield Information Systems, Inc. conference group was between Barney Tanfield and Conor Medlow, both of whom have suffered from some back issues in the recent past.
The start of the match was going with the perceived form with Conor taking a 5-3 lead, but Barney’s resolve had not been broken, so with great skill, he edged his way back to 5-all with a persistent and controlled attacking play. The 5-all game was no different, with Barney keeping up the pressure to take the set’s final game.
The loss of the 1st set seemed to unnerve Conor, and he retreated into himself, becoming cagier and more willing to try and soak his opponent’s attack. Barney again took the set 6/4 to lead two sets to love.
Now Conor needed to dig in, and that’s just what he did, cutting out errors and making Barney work hard in each point. 6/2 came the third set, and then the fourth 6-2. Now two sets all, did Barney have enough in the tank to put up a fight? The fifth set was close, getting to 4-all with both players keeping their nerve.
Conor just managed to get his nose in front, with Barney now visibly tired at this point. In an epic encounter enjoyed by a full galley of sponsors ‘ guests, Conor narrowly took the ninth game and then the tenth, pipping Barney to the post 6-4 in the fifth set. The bar was now set very high for the rest of the event.
After a series of incredible matches in the tournament, John Lumley, the meteorically improving assistant professional out of Philadelphia, emerged as one finalist versus the already 10-time US Professional Singles champion and number one in the world, Camden Riviere.
Both players did not drop a set on the way to the final; Lumley had beaten both Steve Virgona and James Stout sufficiently well for both to run out of ideas in the third set, each losing it 6-0. Camden’s route to the final was similar, dispatching his opposition clinically; that is not to say his opponents did not play excellent tennis. For example, Leon Smart is playing his best tennis ever, has improved all aspects of his game, and proved he is destined to be a top-five player in the world.
Camden and John are friends, and as practice partners, have elevated each other’s games over the last year.
Right from the start, the rallies were full of quality shots and uncanny reads, with Camden showing a little more patience and control, just edging John out time after time. Although each rally and each game were close, the score of the first set was 6-0.
The next set was different, with John shaking off any nerves and being more aggressive. Camden looked a little rattled and questioned a couple of calls as things were not going his way. John took the set with Camden looking a little winded and disgruntled. This sublime play by John was outstanding, and only time would tell it was sustainable.
As a great champion, Camden drew on his experience and formulated a slight change in tactics opting for a fast railroad to contrast with his higher and slower serves. This was enough to upset John’s game, probably pushing him a little too close in his winner to error ratio. So once again, Camden edged in front of each rally, and in turn, each game, and ultimately each set, closing out the match 6-0, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 and winning his impressive 11th straight championship.
Special thanks go to the following, without whom we would be unable to execute such a high-caliber tournament:
- International Tennis Hall of Fame for hosting the event;
- Founding Sponsor, the Schochet family, in concert with United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation;
- Suzette Schochet for an added personal donation;
- Presenting Sponsor Northfield Information Services, Inc.;
- United States Court Tennis Association, USCTA paddle raise, and Lot 12.
There was also a terrific amount of sponsorship from the National Tennis Club, with nearly 30 members giving at all different levels to support a very handsome professional appearance fee and purse along with housing and help with the social functions.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2021 U.S. PRO SINGLES TOURNAMENT PAGE FOR FULL RESULTS
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MATCHES.
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
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photo by Kathryn Lucey
