Community roundup: Locals claim doubles title at Summer Smash

The COVID Pandemic caused a tennis free year, and the players of the Puget Sound were itching to get out and play! One Hundred Thirty Two players from over 30 high schools showed up at the Snohomish High School courts to duke it out and have a little fun at the same time.

1. How long have you been playing tennis?  I have been playing tennis for 11 years. 
2. Where do you practice?  I practice at Harbor Square Athletic Club. 
3. Do you play other tournaments?  I played the Grizzly Open in 2019, and the HSAC tournament in June 2021. 
4. What is your proudest accomplishment so far in tennis?  I am proud of being the #1 singles seed for Meadowdale for the last three years. I’m also proud to be captain of my team. 
5. Do you have a favorite player? I like Coco Gauff because she’s young and very talented. It will be fun to watch her career.  
6. How would you describe your game?  I try to play tennis aggressively, consistently and strategically. 
7. What are your future plans in the sport?  My future plans are to have a great Senior year at Meadowdale! I would also like to play tennis in college so I’m looking into that right now.

1. How long have you been playing tennis?  I have been playing tennis since the summer before 4th grade, so 8 years now. 
2. Where do you practice?  I usually practice at the Kamiak tennis courts, but I also have played at tennis clubs such as Columbia and Mill Creek. 
3. Do you play other tournaments?  I try to play USTA tournaments throughout the year, and I have also played in other local tournaments as well when they arise. 
4. What is your proudest accomplishment so far in tennis?  My proudest accomplishment so far in tennis has been playing as the Varsity Singles 1 player at Kamiak since my freshman year, it’s a role that I take great pride in having and one that I always work towards being worthy of. 
5. Do you have a favorite player? My favorite player is Roger Federer, he’s the reason why I started playing tennis and I love the elegance he exudes whenever he steps on the court. 
6. How would you describe your game?  I would describe my game as unconventional. I love to mix in different strokes such as slice, dropshots, and lobs into my game to keep my opponents from getting into a comfortable rhythm and I like to move my opponents around.
7. What are your future plans in the sport?  My future plans with tennis aren’t completely clear yet, but what I do know is that it will always be an important aspect of my life and be a lifelong recreational activity I can enjoy.

1. How long have you been playing tennis?  I have been playing tennis for 7 years.
2. Where do you practice?  I practice at the Mill Creek Tennis Club.
3. Do you play other tournaments?  I have played other USTA tournaments.
4. What is your proudest accomplishment so far in tennis? My proudest accomplishment so far is becoming the number one varsity singles player on my school’s tennis team.
5. Do you have a favorite player? I really admire Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.
6. How would you describe your game?  I can’t really describe my game very well other than saying I love long rallies and playing strategically.
7. What are your future plans in the sport?  I just wish to play tennis for as long as I can and have fun as well as continue to improve.

Hoping to give beginner players an opportunity to gain matchplay experience in a less competitive environment, the Summer Smash is adding Boys and Girls Bronze Singles Divisions. If you are already registered and wish to move to the Bronze level, please email the tournament director at kraignorris1@yahoo.com.

George Orthodontics, with offices in Everett and Snohomish, have signed on as a sponsor for this year’s tournament. Go to https://www.georgeorthodontics.com/ to learn more about them.

Why would I choose to play the Summer Smash, rather than a USTA tournament?– Most USTA tournaments charge between $55-65 for singles, many don’t offer doubles and none offer mixed doubles. The Summer Smash charges $30 for singles, and $25 per doubles player, and EVERY player receives a tournament t-shirt. The focus of USTA tournaments is to compile points and rise in the rankings; at the Snohomish Summer Smash, it’s not about the points! We believe competition can be fun as well.

When do matches start?– The tournament will start at 12 pm on July 22nd; from there on out, matches will start each morning at 9 am. Matches will go until dark, playing under our court lights.

I want to play, but I have to work one day- Email the Tournament Director, and let him know your schedule; we may have flexibility to enable you to play.

What’s the difference between Silver and Gold?– Players taking part in the Gold Division are high Varsity players; many have played in USTA Intermediate and Advanced tournaments, and some have competed at State. Silver Division players are lower Varsity and JV players, who have maybe played a USTA Beginners or Intermediate tournament or two.

1. How long have you been playing tennis?   I have been playing tennis since I was about 5 years old. So 13 years.
2. Where do you practice?  I practice at Harbor Square, during the summers I would play at Snohomish summer camps as well.
3. Do you play other tournaments?  I play other tournaments quite often. Before covid, USTA tournaments were a normal part of my life and a typical weekend.
4. What is your proudest accomplishment so far in tennis?  My proudest accomplishment so far in tennis would be winning Wesco district title back to back the last two years.
5. Do you have a favorite player?  My favorite player is Marci Fucsovics. He grew up in the same small town in Hungary that my family is from. He also just made it into the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, his best tournament so far.
6. How would you describe your game?  I’ve had trouble with this question before as it’s very hard for me to describe my own game. In singles I prefer long rallies where I am able to move my opponent around. But in doubles, serve and volley is my go-to as it is the most effective.
7. What are your future plans in the sport?  My future plans in the sport are vast. At University of Oregon, where I am going to college, I will be the team manager for the men’s team so I will be in charge of stringing rackets and game-day activities. My degree will be in sports business and with my love for tennis who knows what will come after that. I know for sure I will be a lifelong member at Harbor Square (unless Andy kicks me out).