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Tennis

First-year player takes to the game with ease

By NANCY MORGAN
Published September 13, 2006

In the past year, Tamara Bustard's love for watching tennis transitioned to a passion for playing.

Last weekend, in only her second state-sanctioned singles tournament, the New Port Richey teenager won the girls 16-and-under division in the East Lake Fall Junior Rookie Tournament in Oldsmar.

"I only started playing last January when Coach Joe Kelley encouraged me to try out for the team," said Bustard, who turns 16 next month. "He's also my English teacher at Ridgewood and when he suggested it, I decided to give it a try."

As a freshman, Bustard made the high school squad and earned her first letter playing both singles and doubles. In singles, not having to worry about messing up for your partner is a plus, Bustard said, though she likes the chemistry with a partner in doubles.

"Ever since I started, I've been taking lessons three times a week with Christina Hill," Bustard said. "I've improved in everything, especially since I've just gotten into playing. I could always get to the ball, but before I would just dink it back. Now I hit it harder and try to place the ball. Before I was satisfied with just getting the ball back, but now I want to hit it hard and place it somewhere."

In last weekend's tournament at East Lake Woodlands, Bustard beat Devan Herbison of Oldsmar 6-2, 6-2 in a semifinal, then Samantha Smith of Odessa 6-4, 6-4.

"I was really pleased with how I placed the ball in the tournament," Bustard said. "I was able to read where they were going to hit the ball and was on my way there as they were hitting it.

"...It's also been an advantage being a lefty, although by the end of the match, players are usually hitting to my backhand. That's okay, though, because I have a pretty good backhand. I play mostly at the baseline, although I'm pretty good at the net - I just need to get up there."

Among the professional players Bustard admires is 19-year-old Maria Sharapova, winner of this year's U.S. Open. That feat, along with winning Wimbledon at 17, impresses Bustard. Sharapova's determination and unwillingness to give up are qualities Bustard hopes to incorporate in her game.

"I would love to play No. 1 at Ridgewood, and I've been practicing nonstop to keep improving," Bustard said. "We lost two seniors, who played No. 1 and No. 3, so there's a chance for me. I just know I want to be the best I can be and always improve. That way, I'll reach my highest.

"...If I could pursue tennis, that would be wonderful. If not, I would like to do something in the medical field because I want to help people."

Next up for Bustard, she said, are good results in the classroom and continued improvement on the tennis courts.

NET SHOTS: Joining Bustard in the winners circle at East Lake Woodlands were Carolyn Reid in the girls 10 and Chintan Patel in the boys 16.

Reid was the No. 3 seed and upset the top seed in a semifinal to advance to the final for a straight-set win. Patel eliminated the top seed in a semifinal and won 6-2, 6-0 in the final.

Reaching the final round of action were Samantha Smith from Odessa in the girls 16 and Port Richey's Sean Little in the boys 18. Stephanie Little won the girls 16 consolation.

- Oscar Eppley won the boys 14 title in this month's Seminole Lake Tennis Center Academy Challenge. Claiming consolation wins were New Port Richey's Kristin Greenup in the girls 18 and Evgenly Belov in boys 18.

- Impact Tennis Training at Quail Ridge Country Club continues its offering of training in after-school programming for 8- to 16-year-olds, a personalized video analysis for high school and other competitors and Team Tennis League on Sunday afternoons. Contact USPTA teaching professional and club director Brent Wellman, (727) 919-2011 or wellmanb@hotmail.com.

COACHES WORKSHOP: The Nature Coast Tennis Foundation is hosting a USTA Florida Recreational Workshop Sept. 23 at the Nature Coast Technical High Tennis Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Teachers, coaches and anyone interested in recreational tennis programming are encouraged to attend. Cost is $25 and includes registration, training materials, lesson plans and sample equipment.

COMING UP: The Clearwater Fall Championships begin Saturday at the McMullen Tennis Complex for juniors 18 and under. Call 669-1919 today. ...The SPTC Adult Classic Championships begin Saturday at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call 823-2225 today. ...The 13th annual Humane Society of Pinellas Charity Tournament is Sept. 27-Oct. 1 at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater. For sponsor information or player details, contact the club (727) 791-8415).

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, (727) 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified September 13, 2006, 08:17:49]