ATA Players Excel at Summer Grand Slam

Leading every program in Texas, sixty-three Austin Tennis Academy players earned their way into the Texas Summer Grand Slam last week in College Station, including 5 Champ Masters qualifiers.

A number of ATA players stepped up and played their best tennis at the most important state tournament of the year. The impressive results yielded by ATA players included one singles winner, two singles finalists, one third place in singles, one semifinalist in singles, three quarterfinalists in singles, one doubles winner, and five doubles semifinalists.

University of Chicago bound senior Erik Kerrigan won the doubles title and came within two points of winning the 18s singles title. Erik followed up his inspiring performance in the doubles semifinals by an even more dominating and masterful performance in the doubles finals against the highly accomplished team that defeated ATA doubles standouts Payton Holden and Jake Berber in the other semifinals. The morning after securing the doubles title, Erik came within 2 points of capturing the singles title at 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set with a devastating attacking style game that was highlighted by blistering serves, crushing groundstrokes and beautiful touch volleys. Although Erik’s remarkably consistent opponent eventually wore him down in the third set, Erik’s performance at Summer Grand Slam was a storybook ending to a fantastic junior career. In fact, after the updated rankings came out this week, Erik moved up to #2 in the state – his career high.

Following his semifinal finish in doubles, Princeton bound senior Payton Holden ended his stellar Texas junior career by winning third place in singles by defeating in straight sets the #1 ranked player in 18s who recently signed with Florida State.

Another ATA senior who shined at Summer Grand Slam was St. Edward’s signee Chase Bartlett, who reached the quarterfinals of singles by upsetting a player who reached the quarterfinals of the National Hardcourt Championships in Kalamazoo last summer. Chase’s professionalism and calm demeanor impressed the ATA coaches, who looked on as he served out the match at 5-4 in the third set. It was a victory that will remain etched in the memories of those lucky enough to watch the match.

Abigail Chiu had the best performance amongst ATA players competing in the 18s draw, reaching the quarterfinals of doubles as well as singles, where she lost to her future Dartmouth teammate. With the exception of touring pro Ashley Weinhold, Abigail has thus far enjoyed the most accomplished junior career of any female player in the 13-year history of ATA, and the coaching staff at ATA is excited that Abigail has another 11 months to compete in juniors.

Also competing in the Girls 18s, Alexandria Mjos fought her way to the semifinals of the doubles draw, while earning four wins in singles. Both the University of Houston and University of South Florida coaches watched Mjos’ first two singles matches, both of which she won in straight sets.

ATA players also had a very strong showing in the 14s age group at Summer Grand Slam. Max Schmidhauser followed up winning the singles title at the Level 2 National Selection tournament in Wisconsin last month by winning the singles title in 14s at Summer Grand Slam by defeating the #1 seed in the finals in a hard fought three set battle highlighted by his competitive grit and fight. Max benefitted from a “spot on” tactical plan devised by Coach Doug Davis for the singles finals, as well as four months of twice-per-week extra fitness sessions with Coach Josh Rifkin that allowed Max to have “fresh legs” throughout the tournament. Max also had his best ever doubles performance at Summer Grand Slam by reaching the semifinals. Max also earned a nickname during the event: Max ‘The Warrior’ Schmidhauser, coined by family friend and ATA lifer Philip Berber for his warrior-like spirit on the court.

On the Girl’s side of the 14s draw, Caroline Wernli, for the second year in a row, reached the singles finals of Summer Grand Slam in her age group. Caroline’s ability to step up her game in pressure situations makes her a force to be reckoned with. Both of her quarterfinal and semifinal wins were three hour, 6-4 in the third set battles in which she showed incredible mental toughness, determination and passion to compete on the big stage.

The 16s age group had excellent performances from Callie Creath, Georgia Wright and Bailey Forgus at Summer Grand Slam. Callie followed up her 4th place finish in singles at the Level 2 National Selection tournament last month by reaching the semifinals of both singles and doubles at Summer Grand Slam. Callie’s outstanding results can be attributed to her superior fitness, calm and determined demeanor, professional approach to competition and disciplined patterns.

Georgia Wright had her best showing of the year by upsetting the #5 seed on her way to reaching the quarterfinals of the singles draw. Georgia’s level of focus, calmness in between points and superb movement frustrated her opponents and suggest that her results will only continue to improve.

On the boy’s side of the draw, Bailey Forgus, whose ranking was only #62 before Summer Grand Slam, had an inspiring “breakthrough” performance. In the singles draw, Bailey defeated in straight sets the #17 seed in the second round and then upset the #4 seed in the fourth round with a commanding 6-1 in the third set victory spurred on by Coach Newman’s game plan at the split and a large group of Bailey’s ATA teammates enthusiastically cheering him on to victory. Bailey’s breakthrough in the most important tournament of the year in Texas should be an inspiration to his teammates because he consistently shows excellent focus and a strong work ethic at practice, and he always shows up for fitness at afternoon practice and College Prep workouts in the morning. In addition to his outstanding work ethic, Bailey is one of the most coachable students at ATA and has been willing to stick with his attacking all-court game style in practice matches and tournaments even though it has resulted in some short-term setbacks from a results perspective. Coach Newman believes that Bailey’s “willingness to stick to his guns and play his game in the face of failure and defeat over the past nine months was validated last week at Summer Grand Slam when he was able to put all of the elements of his attacking game into play.”

The best performance by an ATA player in the 12s age group at Summer Grand Slam was by James Cockrell, who rebounded from his loss in the Round of 16 in the singles draw by reaching the semifinals of doubles where he lost a tough 3 set battle to the eventual champions. James is distinguishing himself as a great doubles player, as demonstrated by him capturing 3 SCMZ doubles titles this year with his partner.

The results at the Texas Grand Slam tell a lot about the dedication of the ATA players and coaches. But it is the ongoing competitive spirit, the desire to become even better, and the community team support that continue to make ATA the best place to develop and live the sport!