Tennis: keeping it inside the lines

Sixty young tennis players met Saturday, June 24 at East Naples Community Park for the seventh of a series of eight tournaments in the USPTA JusTennis Junior circuit.

According to instructor Spike Gonzalez, the circuit is a series of tournaments designed for kids learning how to play in competition.

Photo by KEN LANE, Collier Citizen

Eight-year-old Dennis Olson of the USPTA JusTennis Junior Circuit, competes June 24 at East Naples Community Park.

"We coach both the players and the parents," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez explained, "We try to prepare the parents with coaching procedures, sportsmanship, how to be a spectator without getting emotionally involved, and how to help the kids be independent on the court. We teach the kids how to play in regular United States Tennis Association competition, sportsmanship, how to keep track of the score, the line calls, and keeping track of the balls." Gonzalez started the local program six years ago when he was coaching tennis for the parks system.

"Back five years ago, I brought the players through our parks program and then they would go to play USTA tournaments and get walloped. It was a traumatic experience, so we are trying to create a stepping-stone here to get them to that point," Gonzalez said.

Marc-Andre Raneau, at 12 years old, is one of those players prepared to step up into USTA competition.

A player with USPTA JusTennis for three years, Raneau has played tennis since he was three years old. Raneau is at the top of the standings in the tournament. Raneau did not compete in the tournament Saturday because there was not a player good enough to play against him, but he did participate in the round-robin tournament earlier in the morning.

Asked his favorite aspect of tennis, Raneau said, "Tennis is a singles sport. If it's your fault, all the blame is on you and nobody else." Raneau added, "You can practice alone on the wall, where with a sport like soccer, you have to have someone to play with.""He [Raneau] plays USTA tournaments and plays very well," Gonzalez said.

The benefit to the players is visible, according to Gonzalez, who estimates that there are 60 kids from ages seven to 15 in the circuit this year.

"It's been terrific. Several kids are playing USTA tournaments now that went through the USPTA circuits," Gonzalez said.

Asked what direction he would like to take in tennis now, Raneau said,"I am trying to get more into USTA tournaments, and I want to keep going up. I'd like to at least be around the pros." The circuit has a points system, where participation is rewarded as well as wins. Players are awarded one point for playing in a tournament, two points for winning a tournament match, and one point for winning a consolation match. The season ends with a party and awards ceremony, where players receive sportsmanship and achievement awards.