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Tennis

State-ranked teen sets sights on cracking national top 20

By NANCY MORGAN
Published August 4, 2005

Paul Polarczyk is immersed in tennis and his tournament results reflect his dedication.

Polarczyk followed up last year's No. 17 state ranking in the 12 and under with a No. 8 ranking in the 14 singles division this year. The 14-year-old was invited to represent Florida in last month's USTA Zone Team Championships in Naples.

Florida won gold against USTA sections Hawaii-Pacific, Missouri Valley, Southern California and Southwest. Polarczyk was 3-1 in singles and 3-0 in doubles.

Polarczyk credits his increased mental toughness and improved fitness level with some of his success.

"I've been working for about a year with Craig Gordon at Rehab One in Tampa," Polarczyk said, "and we do a lot of oncourt training and strengthening. That's helped my whole game improve. I want to be in the top 20 in the nation by the end of this year, and I'm No. 69 right now. My play at zonals certainly will help my ranking and I had some pretty good results at the super nationals this summer."

Polarczyk relies on his serve to win easy points and admits he needs to improve his ability to move opponents around the court and keep the ball in play. Polarczyk sees room for improvement in focus and concentration.

"I'm going to start playing in the 16s now to start gaining points for a ranking in that division," Polarczyk said. "I'll be 15 in January and will have to play in the 16s then. The players will be more physical than I've been playing, but I feel I'm ready for it."

Polarczyk has been homeschooled since he and his family moved from Michigan to Wesley Chapel about three years ago. Homeschooling, Polarczyk said, allows him the freedom to practice at various times of the day, as long as he completes the required work. He splits his training between Jimmy Brown (baseline game) in Wesley Chapel and Terry Addison (serves and volleys) at Safety Harbor Spa.

Polarczyk likes both his backhand with the ability to vary shots from angles to drives to slice and his forehand that affords him a variety of shots.

"I'm really proud that this year I've been able to get into the top 100 in the nation and the top 10 in the state," he said. "I want to continue to improve."

Polarczyk, who hopes to be a professional player one day, is striving to emulate the mental focus and confidence he sees in world No. 1 Roger Federer.

Addison, who has taught many aspiring players over the years, describes Polarczyk as a player with a lot of ability and an aggressive game.

"Paul is a good player and has improved tremendously in this last year," Addison said. "He's got the weapons and he needs to make them work in matches. His first year in the 16s is going to be a big one for him."

Polarczyk hopes to begin his competition in the 16 this month in a state-sanctioned singles tournament in Jacksonville.

LEAGUE NEWS: Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club clinched the combo 8.5 women's league title after its 2-1 win over Royal Racquet Club. Treasure Island finished the season 4-2.

In the women's 7.5 division, a match Aug. 11 between Treasure Island and Shipwatch will determine the division champion. Local winners advance to state.

In the combo men's league, Largo Tennis Center moved to 4-0 in the 6.5 division with a 3-0 win over the Renaissance Vinoy. In the 7.5 North Division, Shipwatch I beat Safety Harbor Spa 2-1 to go to 3-0. Treasure Bay leads the 7.5 South Division with wins over the Vinoy, Feather Sound and the Racquet Club in the four-team triple round-robin format.

NET SHOTS: William Cantrell won the men's 50-and-over singles title in last month's Temple Terrace Adult Summer Bash, and Tu Mai won the women's 30 round robin.

Second seeds Rianna Valdes (girls 12) and Alexis Dorr (18) won titles in last weekend's Tampa Bay Junior Championships. Also collecting titles were top seeds Christina Bell in the girls 14 and Stephen Goldman in boys 10 and No. 3 Lionel Kogan in boys 14.

COMING UP: The River Hills Summer Classic for juniors begins Saturday at River Hills Country Club. Call Sewsankar Maharaj, (813) 653-3776. ... A Junior Grand Prix Tournament is Aug. 13 at Westin Innisbrook Resort. Call (727) 942-5241, by Aug. 10.

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

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:05:20]