Southwest Florida tennis column: Madison Keys, Bjorn Fratangelo coming to Naples

In trying to put Hurricane Irma in the past, maybe you’ve started to think ahead to the time when you will need that ideal Christmas gift for a family member of friend involved in tennis. The Academia Sanchez Casal on North Airport Pulling Road in Naples might have an answer.

Four top pro tennis players – including US Open finalist Madison Keys – will appear in the feature exhibition of the Freedom Pro Tennis Charity Exhibition that will be held Saturday, Dec. 17 at Academia Sanchez Casal. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to benefit the mission and programs of the Freedom and Virtue Institute (FVI).

In addition to headliner Keys, the feature event will star former Naples junior standout Bjorn Fratangelo, Jennifer Brady and Mitchell Krueger.

Mark Wardell, Director of FVI’s Self Reliance Clubs and Dignity of Work Initiative, says 100 percent of the proceeds from this exhibition will go to fund and expand FVI’s mission, goals and programs, which includes the Self Reliance Program, Dignity of Work Initiative and Effective Compassion Training.

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After reaching the U.S. Open finals in September, Keys is now No. 12 in the world WTA rankings. She turned pro in 2009 and is currently coached by former world No.1 Lindsay Davenport. Keys has played in 10 majors to date, also reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2015, and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon that same year. She was hampered by injuries in late 2016 and the early part of 2017 and underwent two wrist surgeries. She has since bounced back with a vengeance.

Fratangelo, meanwhile, had one of his best wins at this year’s U.S. Open, beating the huge-serving Ivo Karlovic, ranked No. 48 worldwide. Originally from Pittsburgh, Fratangelo played much of his junior tennis in Naples, where he attended Barron Collier High School.  

As a junior player, Fratangelo was ranked No.1 in the USA and No. 2 in the world and won the Junior French Open, beating Dominic Thiem (now No. 7 in the world ATP rankings) in the finals.

Fratangelo turned pro in 2012 and has played in seven majors, breaking into the top 100 players in the world in June of 2016. Earlier this year, he was a semifinalist at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, RI.

Brady is now ranked No. 66 in the world WTA rankings and Krueger just missed out on making the main draw of this year’s US Open, losing in the finals of the qualifiers. Krueger turned pro in 2012 after a stellar junior career where he was ranked No. 5 in the world.

“We are fortunate to have individuals such as Madison, Bjorn, Jennifer and Mitchell share their talents with us,” said Ismael Hernandez, Executive Director of the Institute.

Sponsorship packages are available. A limited number of presale tickets are available now for $25, and children age 12 and younger will be admitted for free. Food and beverages will availabl. Parking is to be $5 per vehicle.

All tickets and information can be found at https://fvi.ticketbud.com/fvi-pro-tennis-exhibition.

Juniors to celebrate October: The Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center at Cambier Park in Naples will be the site of the Naples Octoberfest L6 USTA tournament on Oct. 7-8.

This USTA-sanctioned event will have boys and girls age divisions in 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 categories.  The 10-and-under age division will use a green dot tennis ball on a regulation court.

The entry deadline is Monday, Oct. 2. Players may sign up online at ustaflorida.com.  For further details, call 213-3060.

After-school sessons at Cambier: The staff at the Play Tennis Academy at Cambier Park’s Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center in Cambier Park has announced its fall after-school tennis program.

Red Ball for juniors ages 4-6 is offered on Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m.

Orange/Green Dot Ball is offered Monday through Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m.

Yellow Ball Challenger Level is offered on Monday and Wednesday from 4-5:30 p.m.

Middle School and Elite Juniors is offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m.

The Play Tennis Academy is directed by USPTA Elite Tennis Professional Steve Bogdanoff. Call 239-213-3060.

Southwest Florida tennis column: Check on upcoming events due to Hurricane Irma

Flex League update: Here is a post-Irma update or Ultimate Tennis Flex leagues presented by the USTA. They include a Naples Fall League (Collier), Fort Myers Fall League (Lee) and Sarasota Fall League. The Fall singles league start was postponed two weeks and play now starts Saturday. For doubles and mixed doubles, the registration deadline is now Oct. 6, with play to begin Oct. 14.

For registration, go to www.ultimatetennis.com. Players do not have to be a USTA member to play in Ultimate.

Juniors to battle at ASC:  The Academia Sanchez Casal will be the site of a major junior tournament Dec. 7-10. The global “Junior Cup” event is open to all U.S. and foreign players based on their age in the following criteria: U14 (born in 2003), U13 (born in 2004), U12 (born in 2005), U11 (born in 2006). Singles and doubles will be offered.

Player UTRs (Universal Tennis Ratings) will be used when selecting players for the tournament and/or division/draw.  Seeding is based on player UTRs.  There will be four days of play with five guaranteed matches (four singles and one doubles).
To complement the matches, there will be workshops, led by Emilio Sanchez Vicario.  Topics will include nutrition, fitness, mental preparation, and college placement.
Tournament winners will get to experience an intensive “Shot Development Weekend” Program, designed for players who want to improve specific aspects of their game without missing a whole week of school.

There will also be a tournament cookout and a sunset cruise in Naples Bay.

All players must register and pay through the link http://asc-florida.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1072f831d9869e8241d5f8d7&id=65e110ffe4&e=04eb5e75d6.

Registration closes  Nov. 30. A $60 discount will be offered for entries before Oct. 15 and $30 before Nov. 15. Pre-tournament camps at special rates for all registered players are on Dec. 4-6.

An alternate list will be opened after the deadline. Contact protournaments@sanchez-casal.com or phone Tournament Director Rogelio de Haro at 239-263-1818.

Cardio Tennis returns: “Cardio Tennis” begins Oct. 10 at the Country Club of Naples courts. The program is open to all ages and all levels. Each session is Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m. There is a maximum of eight players per class.

Vanderbilt going strong: The Vanderbilt Country Club tennis courts are up and running. Pro Ronnie Hilburn says the staff will conduct round-robins for women and men.

The women play Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:30. The men’s round-robins are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, also at 8:30 a.m.

Contact the Vanderbilt tennis shop by calling 239-348-1725 or email Ronnie @vccnaples.com.

Performance Program coming up: The staff at the Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center at Cambier Park in downtown Naples is to offer a Juniors High Performance Program for USTA tournament players, middle school advanced tennis players and high school team tennis players.

The program will be every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Students will work on stroke production, shot selections and competitive match play. USPTA and Accredited Performance Coach Don Turner is to be the primary instructor. Call 239- 213-3060 or email Director of Tennis Kevin Walker at walker@naplesgov.com.

FGCU women’s tennis to benefit: Area tennis lovers can lend a hand to the women’s tennis program at Florida Gulf Coast University.  From 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 14, the Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center at Cambier Park will be the venue for the Second Annual Scholarship Fundraiser/Pro- Am benefitting FGCU women’s tennis.

To get involved, contact Courtney Vernon at Cvernon@fgcu.edu.

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A rundown of other activities and events follows:

Advanced Mixed Round Robin: at Cambier Park’s Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center; 3.5-4.0; offered weekly on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; Cost: $15 per player. Call 239- 213-3060.
Cardio tennis: Cardio Tennis classes Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. at Cambier Park; $15 for members and $20 for non-members; Call 213-3060. 
Round-robin Mixed doubles: Tuesdays 8 a.m. at Golden Gate Community Park on Santa Barbara Blvd.; Call 239-300-7718. 
Kamen clinics: Naples High boys tennis coach Tony Kamen’s clinics from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; geared toward middle school and high school students and include conditioning, drills, strategy, and match play. Call 272-9223. 
Junior Development Tennis: Sessions held at Arthur Allen Tennis Center in downtown Naples at Cambier Park. Classes run Monday through Thursday. Pee-Wees 3:15-4 p.m. for ages 4-6; Futures 4-5 p.m. for ages 6-8; Tournament 4-5:30 p.m. for ages 7-16; Call 213-3060. 
Hammock Bay Tennis Programs:  Offering private lessons and clinics, Live Ball Drill Session on Tuesdays, Morning Tennis Drill and Round Robin on Wednesdays and “Just for Starters” Clinics on Thursdays. Call 465-2922.
Consistent Tennis Wins Academy: Private and group lessons, cardio tennis, team practice, racquet stringing, tennis fitness and weight loss training and hitting sessions for all levels. Call Tom Avery at 273-9204.. 
Pelican Bay Community Park events: Most levels of round-robins for men and women available each week; Adult and junior clinics held daily; call 598-3025. 
Quail West Tennis programs: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Events include 3.0-3.5 ladies round-robin from 9 to 11 and 3.5-4.0 men’s round-robin from 9 to 11; 3.5-4.0 ladies doubles clinics on Wednesdays from 9 to 11; Also: Wednesday clinics for men and women from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Also: “3 students and the Pro” on Mondays; Call 592-1139. 
Weekly mixed doubles round-robin: Fridays at Pelican Bay Community Park ; Call 598-3025. 
Men’s, women’s and mixed round-robins: Each day of the week at Pelican Bay Community Park; Call 598-3025. 
Adult clinics: For all levels at Pelican Bay Community Park; Call 598-3025. 
Marco Island Racquet Center: Round-robins, league play, USTA competitive teams, Stroke of the Week clinics, beginners lessons, junior programs and racquetball challenges; Call 394-5454. 
Bridgewater Bay Tennis Club: Weekly activities include: Tuesdays beginner/intermediate clinic 5 p.m., Thursday mixed round robin 6 p.m.; Saturdays intermediate clinic 9:30 a.m.; Call 450-1000. 
Saturday Mixed Doubles Round Robin: At Cambier Park Tennis Center at 10:45 a.m.; Call 213-3060. 
Pelican Bay Community Park tennis facility: 764 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 8 lighted Har-Tru courts; Call 598-3025.

Those wishing to have events or activities included in the weekly local tennis roundup should email the information to tomrife0704@gmail.com by 6 p.m. Tuesday.