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LEXINGTON – Recently becoming a big brother for the first time was always going to trump anything 8-year-old River Wong did on the tennis court Thursday night.
So there was no reason for him to feel bad about losing in his very first competitive match to eventual champ Andrew Ott in the semifinals of the 93rd News Journal Tournament at Lexington High School.
And he didn’t.
“I had fun,” River said.
Chances are, he’ll have even more fun going forward now that his competitive debut is behind him.
His dad, Nicky, and mom, Shellie (nee Webster), are both accomplished tennis players with a long, successful history in the News Journal tournament. Nicky, who recently turned 33, is a five-time men’s singles champ who finished third in the OHSAA state tournament for Lexington in 2011 and went on to star at the University of Toledo.
Shellie watched courtside with her husband just five days after giving birth to their daughter, Rain, born two months premature.
River arrived three months early and, given his DNA, will likely prove to be ahead of schedule when it comes to swatting a tennis ball, too.
“He’s good,” said Andrew Ott.
But Andrew was better on this night, prevailing 6-3 over River before beating Milo Galuzny 6-4 for the 8-and-under crown.
In being fitted for his crown, Andrew probably didn’t realize he beat the offspring of tennis royalty.
“I’ve been playing for four years,” Andrew said, “but I think I was a little underconfident in myself. I think I’ll be more confident now. I’ve hit with (River) many times. It was fun going against him.”
River remembers the first time he hit with his dad.
“I was probably two,” he said. “I used to play soccer, but I don’t anymore. I like tennis because it’s something I can do with my friends.”
Father and son hit balls together at least three times a week.
“River’s really into tennis,” Nicky said. “At that age, I was still doing other things. River has no interest in doing any other things. He just wants to play. People think I push him to do it, but I don’t. I just want him to be into something and he just happens to like this sport the most.
“We introduced him to it, but I don’t care what (activity) it is or what sport he plays. I just want him to understand that you have to be committed to it. Tennis is what I know best and what he likes. But I really don’t push it. He loves it.
“The important thing now, at his age, is reps. I always understood there was more than one way to hit the ball, but Ron (Schaub, Lakewood Racquet Club teaching pro and NJ tournament director) was never picky about form. The pros all have different strokes. Your form naturally comes to you. Ron focused on making sure you hit the ball in (bounds) and got plenty of reps. That’s what I want for (River).”
It’s been a big tournament so far for the Galuzny family. In addition to Milo making the finals in the 8s, his brother, Joey, won the 12-and-under division Thursday with a 6-1 win over Nico Palmer. Their sister, Eva, won the girls 12 crown earlier in the week.
The boys 12 bout was a rematch of last year’s 10-and-under finals, also won by Joey. He and Nico have brothers who play for Schaub on Lex High’s varsity team.
“My serves are a lot better and I’ve just gotten better by practicing,” Joey said. “I play a couple hours a day in the summer.”
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Turn back the clock: Familiar name again part of NJ tennis tournament
Continue reading...
So there was no reason for him to feel bad about losing in his very first competitive match to eventual champ Andrew Ott in the semifinals of the 93rd News Journal Tournament at Lexington High School.
And he didn’t.
“I had fun,” River said.
Chances are, he’ll have even more fun going forward now that his competitive debut is behind him.
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His dad, Nicky, and mom, Shellie (nee Webster), are both accomplished tennis players with a long, successful history in the News Journal tournament. Nicky, who recently turned 33, is a five-time men’s singles champ who finished third in the OHSAA state tournament for Lexington in 2011 and went on to star at the University of Toledo.
Shellie watched courtside with her husband just five days after giving birth to their daughter, Rain, born two months premature.
River arrived three months early and, given his DNA, will likely prove to be ahead of schedule when it comes to swatting a tennis ball, too.
“He’s good,” said Andrew Ott.
But Andrew was better on this night, prevailing 6-3 over River before beating Milo Galuzny 6-4 for the 8-and-under crown.
You must be registered for see images attach
In being fitted for his crown, Andrew probably didn’t realize he beat the offspring of tennis royalty.
“I’ve been playing for four years,” Andrew said, “but I think I was a little underconfident in myself. I think I’ll be more confident now. I’ve hit with (River) many times. It was fun going against him.”
River remembers the first time he hit with his dad.
“I was probably two,” he said. “I used to play soccer, but I don’t anymore. I like tennis because it’s something I can do with my friends.”
Father and son hit balls together at least three times a week.
“River’s really into tennis,” Nicky said. “At that age, I was still doing other things. River has no interest in doing any other things. He just wants to play. People think I push him to do it, but I don’t. I just want him to be into something and he just happens to like this sport the most.
“We introduced him to it, but I don’t care what (activity) it is or what sport he plays. I just want him to understand that you have to be committed to it. Tennis is what I know best and what he likes. But I really don’t push it. He loves it.
“The important thing now, at his age, is reps. I always understood there was more than one way to hit the ball, but Ron (Schaub, Lakewood Racquet Club teaching pro and NJ tournament director) was never picky about form. The pros all have different strokes. Your form naturally comes to you. Ron focused on making sure you hit the ball in (bounds) and got plenty of reps. That’s what I want for (River).”
You must be registered for see images attach
It’s been a big tournament so far for the Galuzny family. In addition to Milo making the finals in the 8s, his brother, Joey, won the 12-and-under division Thursday with a 6-1 win over Nico Palmer. Their sister, Eva, won the girls 12 crown earlier in the week.
The boys 12 bout was a rematch of last year’s 10-and-under finals, also won by Joey. He and Nico have brothers who play for Schaub on Lex High’s varsity team.
“My serves are a lot better and I’ve just gotten better by practicing,” Joey said. “I play a couple hours a day in the summer.”
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Turn back the clock: Familiar name again part of NJ tennis tournament
Continue reading...
