Junior Nationals – first Live Streaming!

There were many, many exciting firsts at this year’s junior Nationals: First ever Champions Dinner, first Pro-Am tournament post-event, first time for Live Streaming of the youngsters} first time for a game tent, and the first time in decades that the two-out-of-three set format was played.

Matches began Saturday, February 28th, in New Jersey, using over 5O courts at clubs thirty minutes or closer to the hosting Short Hills Club. All of the age groups) from 10 & Under to 18 & Under, pulled in impressive players from around the East Coast, with a few from the Pittsburgh area. (Players from over 200 miles away were offered a free entry fee.) As the play drew to an end late Saturday, the National Champions were crowned.

All three of the girls’ events were won by teams from the Philadelphia area. Callie and Catie Burkhardt from Wayne, Pennsylvania, captured their fourth title vvith a win in the IS & Under, and still have three more years to catch up to record-making, six-time winners, Corey DeLaney and Nicki Ross of Chatham, New Jersey.

The highlight of the boys division was the 18 & Under final. Champions William Cannon and Henry Fishman from Fairfield, Connecticut, who just qualified for this age group, won their third title together. (Cannon also has one other title, won with Colby Gardner in 2009).

The first ever Live Streaming atJunior National-from inside a minivan-was made possible by Jon Lubow, along with Lou Cortese and Ken Packett of Long Island fame, who were paid in free food and gratitude. Some of the best coverage came during a second round Boys 10 & Under match. While there wasn’t any commentary, a microphone captured the players hashing out scores, working on team strategy, and showing undeniably wonderful sportsmanship. …..[Click image below to read the rest of the article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 5, April-May 2015