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Daniel Otts met his wife-to-be Jamie in Boston and knew she played tennis, but hadn't seen her play until they moved to Florida about two years ago.
When Otts did watch his wife, a former college player for Louisiana State, he decided he would give tennis a try. Switching from basketball, which he played recreationally, proved a good choice.
Last month, Otts completed a perfect season in the K-Swiss Tampa Bay Tennis League's 3.0 division and won the Tampa Bay playoff in a three-set match. In the K-Swiss Regional Championship with the Southwest Florida K-Swiss League champion, Otts won in straight sets.
Otts was one of just two local players winning the regional contest, the other being Don Cobin of St. Petersburg in the 3.5 division.
"In the Tampa Bay playoff, I had played (Joel Sparr) my first year in K-Swiss," Otts, 30, said. "The second and third sets went to tiebreakers, but I won. In the regional playoff, I was down 1-4 in the first set but came back to win 6-4, 6-2. I think he tired and I stayed focused."
Otts beat Fort Myers' Dennis Maxberry in the regional.
When Otts started to learn tennis, he looked to his wife, an assistant teaching professional at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club, for instruction. Otts compared moving his feet in basketball, especially when playing defense, to the constant footwork on the tennis court. Additionally, the option of being able to hit with juniors at the club proved an ideal arrangement.
"I started learning from the baseline and have worked on playing there a lot," Otts said. "I'm working on being more consistent and playing with better control from the baseline. I'm also working on transition to the net.
"This was just my third season in K-Swiss, and I've only played one USTA league and that was in the spring with a team based at Southwest Rec in Largo. I've got some work to do and want to work on staying mentally focused.
"Maintaining my focus really helped me in the regional match. I stayed focused, won five games in a row in the first set and just tried to win every point. Trying not to give up points and being focused allowed me to come back."
As a result of winning the 3.0, Otts has moved into the 3.5-minus K-Swiss division and looks forward to more competition and improvement.
"I started tennis because of my wife, and I've got a long way to go to be anywhere near her level," Otts said, "but I'm ready to give it my best."
LEAGUE NEWS: For the second time this month, the USA Tennis Florida Adult League Sectional Championships have been rescheduled due to the threat of hurricanes. The event is planned Sept. 24-26 at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Qualified regional champions should register with the office by Thursday. Winners advance to national league championships.
Originally, 50 men's and women's teams, each a winner from one of four regional competitions, registered for the state tournament slated Aug. 13-15, with two withdrawing prior to the event. Interrupted by Hurricane Charley, the tournament was re-scheduled for Sept. 11-13 with 46 teams entered. With the threat of Hurricane Ivan, the event was postponed again. The area's USA Tennis Florida Fall Adult League has 17 men's teams with almost 200 players divided in 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 playing levels.
For information contact coordinator Norm Ott at 526-7966 or norm.ott@verizon.net
PLAY FOR CHARITY: The 11th Annual Humane Society of Pinellas tournament is Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at Royal Racquet Club. For details on sponsorships and entry forms, call 799-3200.
Plans are under way for the 21st Annual Raymond James Pro/Am Tournament slated for Oct. 23-24 at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. The event benefits All Children's Hospital. Contact Eric Branson, 551-5280, or Darlene Grayson, 892-4688, for information on sponsorships. Call club tennis director Scott Smith, 367-5479, for playing spots.
NET SHOTS: Edward Corty won the boys 12-and-under singles in last weekend's University of Tampa Bash. Second-seed Corty won 6-4, 7-5 over Wesley Chapel's Anthony Collard. Angel Deng in the girls 10 was among the main-draw finalists.
Consolation winners included Matt Herrock in the boys 14, Nicholas Gallauer the 18 and Ronnie Lopez the 16. Top seed Macey Cook reached the girls 12 consolation final, as did Anastasia Nefedova in the 10, Kyle Gallauer the boys 14 and Michael Beiler the 12.
COMING UP: The Clearwater Fall Championships are Saturday through Monday at the McMullen Tennis Center. Call the center, 669-1919, today. ... The SPTC Adult Classic Championships begin Saturday at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call Al Sarmiento, 360-2643, today to register for age-division singles and doubles.
News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 796-5559; e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.