NTC were delighted to host the 2026 Greevy Cup, for players with handicaps 20-29, and although there were only 8 competitors, the players put on a show with a series of three set thrillers throughout the weekend.
We had a strong local contingent (Wintersteen, both Van Buskirks, Faulise) that were joined by Jonah Serotta (Philly), William Spruance (NY) and Dave Tedeschi (Boston). The two stories from the quarter finals were wins from William Spruance over Jeremy Wintersteen, and Jake Faulise over Eliot Van Buskirk. Kicking off the three-setters were Spruance and Wintersteen in a battle of styles. The left-handed Spruance combined railroads with strong volleys and boasts, looking to push the pace on the ball, against Wintersteen’s experience and balanced play style. Jeremy took the first set and was 5/3 ahead in the second, but Spruance dug in hard to started to find success with his attacking shots. The 5/5 game was an epic with multiple deuces and although Jeremy had his chances, it was the visitor that found a cut volley and dedans combination to win the set and even the score. Captilising on this momentum shift, Spruance raced to a 4/1 lead in the final set and despite a spirited fight from Wintersteen, consistent dedans attack and boasted angles was enough to take the match and knock off the number one seed.
Tom van Buskirk fell to number two seed Dave Tedeschi in a fast-paced and tight two setter (4/6 4/6) with both players showing excellent court coverage and defense. The difference maker in the close battle was Tedeschi finding a few more rest finishing shots. Our Jake Faulise had a good weekend of tennis, beginning with an excellent performance in the Quarter Final against Eliot Van Buskirk. Eliot will admit to making some uncharacteristic errors but taking nothing away from Jake’s balanced and effective game with measured cut shots and pacey dedans attacks. This took Jake into a Semi Final match-up against Dave Tedeschi, watched by the largest crowd of the weekend. Both players were in good form, but Jake started the better and took the first set 6/3 before Tedeschi tightened up his game, limited the easy opportunities and evened things up at two sets all. The players and spectators soon found themselves in the most enthralling 5-all game of the weekend. The tension ramped up for 5 deuces and both players attacking and defending valiantly, with Tedeschi finding the crucial back-to-back points to take the match.
In the other Semi Final William Spruance faced Jonah Serotta, one of the country’s top junior prospects. This match was high paced and high powered with both players going for their winners, which came in feasts and famines, though each player defended resolutely throughout. After Jonah took the first set by 6 games to 2, William beat better than 2 on the floor with an excellent cut volley at the start of the second and started to find a roll of momentum. The games were tight and hard fought, but Spruance never looked back and took the match in three sets.
Of course, the Final would be a three-set battle as well. Tedeschi came out on a flyer, playing the best tennis of the weekend. Seeing the ball clearly, moving well, his first set was clinical from start to finish in a flurry of fast paced cut shots and winning openings. 6/0. Just as he had done all weekend, Spruance dug in for a battle, and got himself going. Fighting hard, and taking advantage of some loose serves from Tedeschi, Spruance spirited himself to a close fought 6/5 set. Going into the third, Spruance started to show signs of physical issue (foot), which slowed him down enough to allow Tedeschi to take the initiative and dictate the play. Dave pressed on and took the match, the title, and our congratulations, winning 6/0 5/6 6/2.
In the back draw, Jeremy Wintersteen and Tom Van Buskirk faced off in the final. After their main draw matches, both players were looking to play more positively and attack the ball, and we found ourselves in another three set battle. Jeremy started the better, though Tom responded in kind. The third set was hard fought with both players looking to assert themselves in the match, but it was Jeremy who stepped forward, taking the ball early with some crisp volleying and taking the match 6/1 3/6 6/2.
A great weekend all around, tennis coming out as the ultimate winner, of course.
