by Dawson Lane
Some of the top Under 26 players not only in the US; but in the world of Court Tennis were in Tuxedo Park June 27th – 29th to compete in the U26 Championships.
Local Tuxedo players included Hazel Christensen, Johnny Dawson, Kurt Mueller, Paul Nieuwerburgh & Theo Yannuzzi who have all been a part of the robust junior program coming out of Tuxedo for years. All (4) players acquitted themselves quite well even though this was a large step up in competition along with older competitions.
The other competitors represented a variety of clubs and countries:
Eric Barker – Westwood Country Club, Freddie Bristowe – NY Racquet & Tennis Club, Archie Campbell – Bristol Real Tennis Club, Henry Henman – Radley College Tennis Court, Oliver Pridmore – Hobart Real Tennis Club, James Rossiter – Bristol Real Tennis Club, Tarquin Sotir – Boston Tennis & Racquet Club and Jonah Serotta – Philadelphia Racquet Club.
Bristowe, Barker, Henman & Pridmore are not only 4 of the best Under 26 amateurs in the world; they are among the best amateurs in the world period. Rossiter and Sotir were transitioning from their passion for rackets and trying their hand at Court Tennis, and even though they were unable to break through against the ‘big four’, they acquitted themselves well and we hope to see them on the court tennis court on a more regular basis.
The ‘big four’ made their way through the draw to the semi-finals where Pridmore took on Barker and Bristowe took on Henman
In the first semi-final, the crowd was treated to an entertaining barn burner with Pridmore prevailing 6-5 in the third set after some of the longest rallies seen at Tuxedo in months. The second semi-final saw tournament favorite Bristowe play a relatively mistake free first set, and then opened the door slightly in the second set with some unforced errors allowing Henman to build a bit of confidence and push Bristowe in a tightly contested second set won by Bristowe 6-4.
The Tuxedo crowd was excited to witness not only some of the best U26 and amateur play in the world in the final; but just plain excellent tennis. Bristowe and Pridmore put on quite a show in the stifling heat and humidity with Bristowe prevailing 6-5 4-6 6-2.
The doubles competition was a bit more of the ‘big four’, with Henman & Pridmore taking on Bristowe and Barker in the final. Pridmore got a bit of payback as he and Henman were able to spend a large percentage of the time on the service side as they took the title 6-3 6-5.
The organizers at Tuxedo; in their typical fashion try and get the juniors as many matches as possible and ran a back draw for the singles competition.
