Al Sarmiento retired in 1993, but that doesn't mean the former tennis teaching professional reduced his schedule.
After hosting tournaments nearly 20 years while serving as tennis director at Treasure Island and Paradise Island clubs, he almost immediately was asked to lead state-sanctioned tourneys at St.Petersburg Tennis Center.
"I like being around the players and get to see my friends, as well as the kids that have grown up over the years," said Sarmiento, 75. "I've always been around sports and even though directing tournaments is a lot of work, I enjoy it."
Sarmiento's pleasure in directing events is obvious to the players.
"I've known Al since 1982, and he is a professional in all avenues of the game," SPTC general manager Jackie Keller said. "Whether he's stringing a racquet, giving lessons or running a tournament, Al is extremely dedicated to making things run well."
In the past seven days, Sarmiento has directed two adult tournaments for competitors from the open division to 80-and-over. About 140 played in 15 divisions.
"I've played in almost all of Al's tournaments, and he brings in some good players," said Sheharyar Wali, 14. "He runs them better than almost any I've played in and always gets us on court on time, or even earlier, for our matches."
Wali, a St.Petersburg High freshman, is defending the team's No.1 position. In Sarmiento's tourney over the weekend, Wali reached the final of the men's open. Michael Newberry, who lived in St.Petersburg for a year when he was 16, has returned and won the men's 45-and-over division last weekend.
"I've been living in Greece and have just played three tournaments in the last nine years," Newberry said. "I met Al at the tournament and found him to be very helpful and available."
Lauren Scaglione, a Seminole High grad and former University of Miami player, remembers competing in Sarmiento's events as a 10-year-old. Scaglione won the women's open title in a three-set match with the No.2 seed.
Before Sarmiento devoted his life to tennis full time, he was a professional jai alai player. Learning the sport in his homeland Cuba, Sarmiento was inducted into the Internaional Frontennis Association Hall of Fame in 1992. Frontennis, a combination of jai alai and tennis, uses a shorter court and ball similar to a racquetball.
"When I was 15, I won singles and doubles national titles and was champion the next five years," Sarmiento said. "I played tennis before jai alai and was the club champion when I was 15."
Sarmiento has played tennis to national-ranking levels and last year was Florida's No.1 in 70 doubles with Jim Mackey. Sarmiento also was third in the state in 75 singles and No.10 in 70 singles.
Sarmiento achieved all this while overcoming bouts with colon cancer in 1991 and prostrate cancer in 2000. Two years ago, he had back surgery, then suffered rotator cuff tears in both shoulders. "By mid-February of last year, I was playing again, and Jim and I were unbeaten in about five tournaments," Sarmiento said. "We won the state doubles, and that got us the No.1 ranking."
LEAGUE NEWS: Saturday, the Senior Men's 4.0 division playoffs are at McMullen Tennis Center between McMullen-Massey and Seminole-McGarry. In the Senior Men's 3.5 playoff, McMullen-
Fleming will face Shipwatch-Spang and PGTA-Gari plays wild-card Racquet Club-Steel.
Westin Innisbrook Resort leads the 14-team Satellite Ladies Doubles League with 246 points.
NET SHOTS: Doubles winners in the Super Senior Grand Prix in Bradenton included Dave Krebs and Fred Heidler (65-and-over division), Peter Crewe and George McCabe (70) and Bob Allen and Lou Lange (80). Joe Bachmann won the 60 singles.
Krebs and Heidler won their second straight 65 doubles title in the Super Senior Grand Prix designated in St.Petersburg. Allen and Owen Beem captured the 80 crown.
THIS WEEKEND: The Treasure Island Adult Classic is at TI Golf and Tennis Club. Call 367-5479. ... The Seminole Winter Classic for juniors begins Saturday at Seminole Lake Tennis Center. Call 394-1733. ... The St.Petersburg Rookie Tournament starts Saturday at St.Petersburg Country Club. Call 867-9105.
