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Letter to the editor

Grattan leads team to national event

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Sports Correspondent
Published October 10, 2007

Lisa Grattan's rookie season in USTA Florida's Senior Doubles League for players at least 50 reminded the former junior, college and satellite-tour level player why she first became involved in tennis.

Returning to the courts this year as a player after a nearly 20-year absence proved successful for Grattan and her teammates on the St. Petersburg Tennis Center 4.5 women's squad. Next week, the team of six travels to Indian Wells, Calif., for the U.S. Tennis Association national championships on Oct.19-21.

"The fact I turned 50 this year and that I'm still playing makes me feel great," said Grattan. "Being on a team again makes it so much fun, and that was something I hadn't really experienced but once since I played in college."

Grattan played high school tennis at St. Petersburg Catholic and in college at Florida from 1976 to 1979. In the mid '80s, Grattan played on USTA national championship league 5.0 team. She joined the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in 1991 and chairs the Player Council and is a board representative for players.

Joining Grattan are Liz Leigh, captain Jackie Keller, Andrea Martin, Sharon Benson and Leslie Godwin. Last year, Keller, Martin and Leigh advanced to nationals on a 4.5 senior squad.

"We're really a solid team all the way down, and it doesn't really matter the position we play at this point, because competition will be tough at nationals at any spot," said Keller, who teams with Martin. "Sharon and Leslie bring a different style, with Leslie being a retriever who doesn't miss many shots and Sharon just a solid player. Liz will set up Lisa and Andrea sets me up."

At nationals, 16 of the 17 USTA sections are represented, divided into four flights. On the first day of competition, Florida champ SPTC plays Southern California, followed by Eastern. The next day, SPTC plays Pacific NW, followed by the semifinals with each of the four flight winners. The last day includes the final and a playoff for third place.

NET SHOTS: Jeff Chambers defended his men's 40-and-over top seeding in the Hunter's Green Adult Challenge, giving up just five games in three straight-set matches.

- Local rookie winners at Countryside Country Club last weekend included Carly Spoerl girls 10-and-under, Rebecca Wehling (girls 14), Mitchell Radford (boys 10), Logan Weyand (boys 12), Nicholas Litsky (boys 14) and Carl Gavine (boys 16).

- Among the singles winners in this month's Super Series Seminole BASH were Dan Stefan (boys 12) and Mason Beiler (boys 10). Skyler Fanning and Jasen Norris won the 10 doubles.

LEAGUE NEWS: A captains' meeting is planned Nov.7 at Feather Sound Country Club for St. Petersburg/Clearwater senior, super senior and 70s leagues. The social begins at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 meeting with local league coordinators to review new rules and procedures. Jacqui Brunton, USTA Florida's director of leagues, plans to attend.

- In last weekend's USTA Florida Senior Mixed Doubles Championships, Treasure Bay clinched the state championship after winning its flight 4-0 among five teams and defeating Jacksonville 2-1 in the final. Treasure Bay advances to the National Eastern Mixed Doubles Championships on Nov.15-18 in Orlando.

THIS WEEKEND: The 23rd Raymond James Charity Pro/Am tournament is at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. The event is a benefit for All Children's Hospital. Call SPTC at 823-2225.

COMING UP: The SPTC Adults and Senior Vets begins Fridayat the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call 823-2225. ... St. Petersburg Country Club hosts its Rookie Championships beginning Saturday. Call 867-9105.

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 October 9, 2007, 22:15:33]