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.
