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Tennis

College latest stop on road to pros

By NANCY MORGAN
Published July 6, 2005

A professional tennis career has been Marc Spicijaric's goal since he was 11.

Over the past eight years, the 2004 Saddlebrook Prep graduate has kept his focus on that goal.

"I took a year off from school last year and played Futures events," the 18-year-old said. "Playing those was a first step for me to see about getting my feet wet on the pro tour. In the last year, I think I've matured and gained more experience. I'm also hitting a bigger ball."

Futures are USTA sponsored tournaments in its Pro Circuit series that have served as a launching pad for tennis professionals, such as Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi.

In the fall, Spicijaric will take his game to the University of Illinois, where he has a scholarship.

"I chose Illinois because they have a good tennis program and are good academically," Spicijaric said. "I think that's where I can improve the most. I'll see how things fall out there. I hope to jump right out and make an impact on the team."

Spicijaric said he may play at Illinois all four years or turn pro after two or three years. Whatever the time frame, Spicijaric said he'll be satisfied.

Spicijaric and his family moved to Wesley Chapel from New Jersey when he was 11 so his older sister, Jackie, could train at Saddlebrook. While Jackie played to a top junior position in Florida and competed for the University of South Florida, Spicijaric took to the sport as well and has been coached by Jimmy Brown at Saddlebrook since he taking up the sport.

Significant wins for Spicijaric include a doubles win in the prestigious international Easter Bowl and a Gator Bowl singles title in the 14-and-under division, followed by singles and doubles titles in the 16-and-under division at the Easter Bowl.

"The Easter Bowl has always been a favorite tournament for me," Spicijaric said. "First, it's on my favorite surface - hard court - and it allows me to use my serve and forehand to my advantage."

Last month, Spicijaric added a second state closed title to his resume. Having won the 16 title in 2002, the right-hander won six straight-set matches to collect the USA Tennis Florida State Closed Sectional championship in the 18 division.

"I had spent much of last year and this playing the international and Futures events, but I wanted to be eligible to play Kalamazoo," Spicijaric said. "To be eligible, I needed to do well at the state closed. I've been to Kalamazoo twice before and my best finish was the quarterfinals. This year, I'd like to play farther."

Kalamazoo is the site of the 89-year-old USTA National Championships for the 18 and 16 boys divisions. The 18 winner receives a wildcard spot in the U.S. Open main draw and the Junior U.S. Open. The 18 finalist at Kalamazoo collects a spot in the qualifying tournament of the U.S. Open.

Spicijaric believes his impressive junior career and broad playing experience have prepared him first for Division I tennis at Illinois and later a career on the pro tour.

LEAGUE NEWS: Shipwatch Tennis Club is 5-1 and first among six teams in the Combo Women's 7.5 Doubles League. Westin Innisbrook Resort (0-5) plays Shipwatch on July 14.

Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club has a slight edge in the three-team 8.5 division with a 2-1 record, followed by Shipwatch (2-2) and Royal Racquet Club (1-2).

Action kicked off last week in the Combo Men's Doubles League. Largo Tennis Center and Countryside Walker recorded wins in the 6.5, as did Shipwatch I and Royal Racquet Club in 7.5 North and the Racquet Club and Treasure Bay in the 7.5 South.

JUNIOR NEWS: Stacia Fonseca of Lutz reached the semifinal round in last week's USTA Pro Circuit in Southlake, Texas. Fonseca won three matches in the qualifying tournament to advance to the $10,000 main event and won three more to reach the semifinal. There, Fonseca battled three sets in a losing effort to Megan Bradley.

Area players invited to this month's USTA Zonal Team Championships include Danielle Day in the girls 14-and-under, Paul Polarczyk and Tyler Snook in boys 14, Jamie Mera in girls 16 and Joel Samaha in boys 16.

Florida's 14-and-under team of 20 girls and 20 boys will compete in a round-robin team competition in singles, doubles and mixed with teams represeting USTA Hawaii-Pacific, Missouri Valley, Southern California and Southwest. The event is at the Naples Bath and Tennis Club July 10-14.

Mera and Samaha will compete at Wake Forest University with teams from USTA Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southern July 27-31.

Kosuke Hasegawa was selected to compete in the boys 14 Team Florida Challenge. Clint Bowles will compete in the USTA boys 16 Intersectionals and the boys 18 Junior Davis Cup.

Alexis Dorr reached the quarterfinal round of competition in this month's USTA National Open in Tallahassee and Brooke Allen went to the round of 16.

Among the finalists in last month's Clearwater Junior Summer Classic were Taylor Blau in the girls 14, Kaleigh Wagner in 12 and Dejai Hardin in 10. Gina Schifano won the girls 18 consolation.

SAVE THE DATE: The 12th annual Charity Tennis Tournament to benefit the Humane Society of Pinellas is Sept. 28-Oct. 2 at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact tournament chair Judy Foster at (727) 725-3681.

COMING UP: Countryside Country Club hosts its Countryside Summer NTRP for adults in singles and doubles divisions this weekend. Call tournament director Rick Workman at (727) 785-2212.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan at 727 796-5559, e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified July 6, 2005, 00:50:11]