County is well represented in the latest USTA national rankings
By NANCY MORGAN
Published April 22, 2004
When the U.S. Tennis Association released its 2003 national rankings for adults this month, Pasco County's Ria Graham and Matthew Bydalek were among those listed.
Graham of New Port Richey is No. 9 in the 65-and-over women's singles and Lutz's Bydalek is No. 22 in the men's 30. Both are No. 1 in their age division in Florida.
Graham, 66, was surprised with her ranking while Bydalek, 35, felt he would achieve a national ranking.
"I was actually surprised I did that well because I only played two national tournaments, although I did pretty well in them," Graham said. "I just go out and play. You accumulate points as you advance in the rounds and I just go out and try to do my best. A big part of doing well is your mindset."
Graham knows about determination. The lefty suffered a knee injury in February and has been rehabbing from surgery. She has been invited to represent Florida for the second straight year in the USTA Intersectional Championships, so she is determined to get back in the competitive arena.
"I was surprised to get the letter, since I've missed about five important tournaments since my injury," she said. "I need to get myself back into that competitive spirit and will enter some tournaments soon."
To earn her first national ranking, Graham played in a national hardcourt tournament in Folsom, Calif., along with some Les Grandes Dames and state-sanctioned events. A plan to compete in the USTA clay court nationals in Houston last month was thwarted by the injury. The indoor national in Kansas this summer is scheduled to be Graham's first national contest since being sidelined.
"I'll probably play some state tournaments to help get tournament tough," Graham said. "You sometimes just have to push yourself and then hope for the best."
When Bydalek moved to Florida six years ago, he decided to resume the sport he had put on hold when he went to college.
"After I had success at the national clay court in Palm Coast in October, I felt I could do okay in working on a national ranking," Bydalek said, "so, I set that as a goal."
Bydalek, too, has been recovering from an injury and plans on returning to tournament action soon.
"I'm eligible for the 35 division and I know there are a lot of tough players in that," Bydalek said. "My time is more limited now while I'm working on my MBA, working full-time and expecting a baby soon, but I plan to give it a shot."
Joining Graham and Bydalek on the nationally ranked list are area players Jim Vuille (No. 8) and Vic Downer (No. 6) in the 90; Bob Meyerdierks (No. 13) the 75; Peter Crewe (No. 18) the 70; Don Mathias (No. 38) and Dick Crawford (No. 70) the 65; Jeff Davis (No. 3), Jeff Winkler (No. 13) and Kevin Manning (No. 27) the 45; Jeff Chambers (No. 6) the 35; Goran Dragicevic (No. 55) the open.
In doubles, Crewe and George McCabe of Ohio are ranked No. 8 in the 70; Jim Mackey and Graydon Nichols of California No. 3 in the 75; Winkler and Kenny House of North Carolina No. 3 in the 45; Derek Brooks and Aaron Barrick of Texas No. 1 in the 30.
Former New Port Richey resident Alex Deeb earned a No. 14 singles ranking in the 50 and teamed with Sarasota's Greg High to finish No. 12 in doubles.
STF CORNER: May is National USA Tennis Month and the Suncoast Tennis Foundation plans to celebrate with a free USA Tennis Rock and Rally event. Players and non-players are invited to attend the 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. event at Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside (formerly Countryside Mall) May 22.
The Rock and Rally is a hands-on, interactive activity for all ages and levels. A variety of prizes are available.
NET SHOTS: No. 17 Sukhwa Young of Wesley Chapel reached the boys 18-and-under semifinal round in the 36th Easter Bowl, a national spring championship in Palm Springs, Calif. Young then teamed with Ryan Waits of Arizona to reach the 18 doubles quarterfinal round.
COMING UP: Hunter's Green Junior Championships begin Saturday. Singles competition with consolation rounds are planned. Call Bill Macom, (813) 973-4220, today. ... The Temple Terrace Adult Championships are May 1-3. Singles for men and women in 35, 45, 55 and open age divisions are available. Call Manny Mariani, (813) 989-7178.
