Clay Court Championship Week
Good Greif - Indianapolis Teen Wins Boys 16s
by
Gary Curreri, 28 July 2016
| Share: |  |
|  | |
|
|
In the end, it was too much Greif for Jenson Brooksby in the finals of the Metropolia USTA Clay Court Boys 16s National Championships in Delray Beach.
The seventh-seeded
Lukas Greif failed to lose a set in the entire tournament and cruised past Brooksby, 6-1, 6-1 for his first gold ball in singles play. Greif, 16, a rising junior taking online classes with
Laurel Springs School, had won two gold balls in doubles play and a silver ball in the 16s this year.
"This was an awesome week," Greif said. "It was one of the biggest of my life as far as results and how I played. It was amazing. I played some of the best matches of my life this week."
"Winning this tournament is just an extra bonus," Greif added. It helped my confidence tremendously. I am going into Kalamazoo in a few weeks, so hopefully I can do well there [too]. Winning this doesn't compare to anything. It is the best feeling of my life."
Greif has been on a tear lately - he has not lost a set since an ITF tournament in early May, winning a Midwest 18s Qualifier in Indianapolis; going 4-0 at the Boys 18 Midwest District Team Championships; winning the title at the Midwest Outdoor Closed 18s; and sweeping four matches at the USTA 16s Intersectionals in Shreveport, La.
Greif said his mental approach over the course of the week key to winning this first-ever meeting between the two finalists.
"I stayed really strong mentally, which helped me a lot," Greif said. "I was able to handle the conditions. It was really hot and humid, and I was able to focus throughout each match - trying to stay focused and positive throughout.
"I tried to stay aggressive during the matches," he said. "In the past, if I fell behind in a match, I would tend to play defensively. I think I did a good job this week of staying aggressive on my points."
Greif said it was the first time he didn't lose a set in a major tournament. Greif, of Indianapolis, Indiana, ranked 8th nationally on the Head Class Rankings List and No. 1 in his state, reached the Easter Bowl final before falling in three sets to Carson Haskins, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
