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Vitale Thinks Tennis is 'Awesome Baby!'
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Dick Vitale's favorite venue to watch sports may surprise you.

It's not at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Allen Fieldhouse or Assembly Hall. There are no body-painted students, bands blaring or dancing mascots.

Dick Vitale Hosts an Annual College Tennis Tournament

The place that brings the most joy to college basketball's most recognizable voice is sitting courtside in Lakewood Ranch, Florida watching his grandchildren take their afternoon tennis lesson.

“It's the highlight of my day,” Vitale said. “Every time I am home and not traveling, I like going to their practice to see them train.”

Although Vitale's passion for college basketball is unmatched, his love for tennis stretches back decades as well.

It began with his daughters developing into Division I players at Notre Dame and has stretched into another generation.

Vitale's grandchildren – twins Jake and Connor Krug, Ava Krug and Sydney Sforzo – are highly-ranked juniors with numerous tournament titles to their names.

“I am very proud of what they have achieved,” Vitale said. “Looking where they are at today, they have exceeded any idea I ever had for them.”

Before the college basketball season begins and Vitale, 78, embarks on another busy broadcast schedule for ESPN, he will welcome some of the best college tennis players to Florida.

The annual Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament takes place Friday-Sunday at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

The men's and women's clay court event features 32-player singles draws and 16-team doubles draws.

“It's a great time for the kids, and we get to meet a lot of the young stars of tomorrow,” Vitale said. “We've had some great teams here. You name them, we've had them playing in this event. It's really been incredible.”

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Page updated on Monday, March 11, 2024
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