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Canadian finds game on Florida courts

By NANCY MORGAN
Published March 21, 2007

Galin Nozortchev and his family decided two years ago to leave Canada and come to Florida so the teen could focus on tennis.

"We came here just for tennis, but didn't have a real plan," said Nozortchev, 17. "I wanted tennis, but I wasn't sure where to start. I had been to Florida one other time, to play in the Orange Bowl and the Eddie Herr tournaments when I was 13. We really didn't have the experience traveling and all that goes with it."

Nozortchev spent a year training at the Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, and after the school year traveled to Europe to play International Tennis Federation tournaments. A rigorous schedule of competition included 16 wins, and Nozortchev was ranked as high as No. 16 in the 16-and-under age division.

"I was really on a roll on the red clay," Nozortchev said. "I decided to go back to Canada and play some men's open tournaments. That's where the real potential is, in the open division. The money is there and so are the sponsors."

When Nozortchev decided it was time to return to Florida to play tournaments, he knew he was not of the mind-set to train in an academy atmosphere. On his way to St. Petersburg, he stopped at Dennis Van der Meer's school at Hilton Head, S.C., and was offered an open scholarship to train there. Over the past year, Nozortchev competed in 41 tournaments.

He and his family settled near Eckerd College and for a couple of months he practiced with the Tritons team and coach Scott Dei. He also played nearly 20 tournaments and was 18-1 in junior events. That's when he decided to leave the junior circle and compete in open events.

"I decided about three months ago to look for more variety in my training and I tried the Next Generation Tennis Academy in Sarasota," Nozortchev said. "I hooked up with Travis Eckert there and he's already made improvements in my game."

Nozortchev described his style of play as that of a counterpuncher before he began working with Eckert. His style and physique were more characteristic of an aggressive, all-court player, Eckert said, and that's the track Nozortchev has been following.

"My groundstrokes are allowing me to move forward more so I'm getting to the net more," Nozortchev said. "And I'm volleying more, but the real key is the mind-set. I know that at the men's open and the Futures levels, the players are physically fit - nobody gets tired on the ATP."

Nozortchev started tennis late, by many standards, and played his first tournament on his 10th birthday. Before tennis, Nozortchev was a standout soccer player in Canada. His dad, who played professional soccer, introduced him to tennis and he took to it right away.

"I'll be finishing high school soon and of course have college in my mind," said Nozortchev said, " but first is the ATP. Education is a lifetime thing and I will continue. I plan to take a year off from school and focus on tennis. If I take off more time, that means I'm doing well in tennis. If not, I would look forward to going to a Division I college."

NET SHOTS: Among the winners in last weekend's Royal St. Patrick's Day Rookie Classic were Jessica Stephens in the girls 12, Shannon Cruz 10 round robin, Stephanie Cruz 14 and Robert Costa the boys 16.

- No. 1 seed Parker Hayslett was a finalist in the boys 10-and-under singles competition in this month's Temple Terrace Junior Championships. Michael Beiler won the 14 consolation draw.

COMING UP: East Lake Woodlands hosts its Senior Championships beginning Friday. Men's and women's singles and doubles in 35-and-over to 75 age divisions, plus mixed doubles in 35-55 divisions, are offered. Call 785-2212. ...The Clearwater Junior Spring Classic is this weekend. Call 669-1919.

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

[Last modified March 20, 2007, 22:15:51]