2013 JTCC highlights include a visit from former world No. 1 and Hall of Famer Mats Wilander
2014 will mark the Junior Tennis Champions Center’s fifteenth year in existence. But before we ring in the New Year and celebrate the milestone, let’s take a look back at the 2013 JTCC headlines:
-Francis Tiafoe became the youngest player in the 67 year history of the Orange Bowl to win the boys 18s division. He joined the ranks of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Björn Borg as Orange Bowl victors.
-JTCC was recognized by the USTA as the 2013 Outstanding Mid-Atlantic Member Organization of the Year award.
-Trice Capra, JTCC alum and Duke Blue Devil sophomore, netted the 2013 USTA/ITA Carolina Regional Championship this past October.
-Mitchell Frank, another JTCC alum and University of Virginia junior, won his second consecutive ITA All-American Championship in October.
-Fila and JTCC announced a multi-year agreement to promote Fila’s performance tennis apparel, footwear and accessories.
-JTCC standout and alum Denis Kudla vaulted into the top 100 after a strong Wimbledon showing.
–Alison Riske made her first Sweet 16 Grand Slam appearance before bowing out to Daniela Hantuchova in the US Open fourth round.
-JTCC served as the host for the second annual International Tennis Federation Grade 1 Junior Hard Card Championships. It was the first time JTCC hosted a Grade 1 event.
-Alison Riske was tabbed as a Washington Kastles alternate for the home opener in July. The Kastles defeated the New York Sportimes to tie the Los Angeles Lakers for the longest winning streak in professional sport history (they would later surpass the mark).
-JTCC players won five out of eight titles in one weekend.
-JTCC was one of thirteen regional US Open National Playoff qualifying host sites.
-13-year-old and JTCC student-athlete Pasquale Procaccino organized a fundraiser to benefit the community outreach program.
-The University of Virginia men’s tennis team won the first NCAA Championship in program history by defeating UCLA, 4-3. The win capped off an undefeated season (30-0). Mitchell Frank clinched the championship with a come-from-behind victory.
–Luca Corintelli advanced to the Easter Bowl Final before falling to Gage Brymer.
-The annual GEICO Champions Celebration honored former Senator John Breaux and Hall of Famer Chris Evert. In 2014, the honorees are Donald Dell, architect of the Citi Open and the first agent to represent professional tennis players, and Sheridan Snyder, co-founder of the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) and avid supporter of the University of Virginia tennis program.
